Downtown-owned B2B distributor FUGA has formed new global distribution and marketing deals with two independent labels, expanding its presence in France and Belgium.
The company has teamed up with Record Makers, a Paris-based label founded in 2000. Its roster of artists includes Sébastien Tellier, Kavinsky, and Dita Von Teese.
The label, which was founded with the purpose of releasing Air’s soundtrack for Sofia Coppola’s 1999 film The Virgin Suicides, has contributed to more film scores and is known for its artist development strategy, bringing together lesser-known artists with established names like Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk), John Carpenter, Arthur Verocai, MGMT, The Weeknd, and MF DOOM.
Through the partnership, Record Makers will benefit from FUGA’s services for global distribution, marketing, digital accounts, and synchronization licensing.
“Partnering with FUGA starts a new phase for Record Makers. A distributor with a strong worldwide network and who is ahead of its time is what the label needs to be able to showcase its catalog, as well as the new talents from everywhere that we represent,” said Marc Teissier du Cros, Co-founder of Record Makers.
“Partnering with FUGA starts a new phase for Record Makers. A distributor with a strong worldwide network and who is ahead of its time is what the label needs to be able to showcase its catalog, as well as the new talents from everywhere that we represent.”
Marc Teissier du Cros, Record Makers
Additionally, FUGA has partnered with Potion Records, founded in 2014 by Belgian DJ and producer The Magician (Stephen Fasano).
The label’s catalog includes The Magician’s gold-certified single Shy, global hit Sunlight, and releases by artists like The Aston Shuffle and Soda State. The Magician is also known for releasing a remix of Lykke Li’s I Follow Rivers in 2011, which sits at more than 500 million streams on Spotify. Fasano established Potion Records to release his own music and promote other artists.
FUGA says Potion Records will benefit from its expertise in marketing strategy, digital accounts, synchronization licensing, and distribution services.
The latest partnerships further expand Downtown’s presence in France. In 2021, Downtown Music Publishing signed a global administration and services deal with French artists AIR, which included the duo’s classic second album Moon Safari. Most recently, Downtown Music Publishing formed global agreements with French Touch artists Étienne de Crécy and Boombass, one-half of duo Cassius.
Record Makers and Potion Records now join FUGA’s existing roster in the region that already includes Bendo Music, VIPMUSIK Records, Jaiye, Soundbirth and Underground Tekno.
“We are very proud to be the chosen distribution partner for some of the most renowned labels in the French region who have a proven and longstanding history of excellence. We look forward to working closely with both Record Makers and Potion Records’ teams and maximizing the reach of their music globally,” said Dorothée Imhoff, Chief Commercial Officer of FUGA.
“We are very proud to be the chosen distribution partner for some of the most renowned labels in the French region who have a proven and longstanding history of excellence.”
Dorothée Imhoff, FUGA
FUGA, which serves as a standalone business within Downtown’s suite of distribution and monetization offerings, provides content management, workflow and distribution services globally. Its recent clients and partners include Singapore-based social music creation platform BandLab Technologies, TikTok for its SoundOn distribution service, Marathon Music Group, indie label Polyvinyl Records, specialist classical music company Naxos Music Group, Berlin-based artist management and label services agency Odyssey Music Network, and Austria’s Phat Penguin.
Music Business Worldwide