DOWNTOWN MOVES TO INTERSCOPE

Downtown Records, now in its 10th year, has moved its distribution to Interscope Records and inked a label services deal with the Universal Music Group imprint. The first artist to be worked through Interscope is St. Louis rapper Smino.

Universal Music Enterprises will handle Downtown’s catalogue, which includes Eagles of Death Metal, Cold War Kids and Mos Def. Sony’s RED had previously distributed Downtown.

“This agreement is really unique in that it allows us to offer the bespoke experience and personal connection of an independent label with the reach, resources and relationships of the most entrepreneurial company in the business,” said Downtown co-founder Josh Deutsch.

“Depending on the needs of the artist, we have the freedom to integrate our operations with Interscope and UMe completely, not at all, or on an à la carte basis to create a more robust level of service for our artist partners.”

Deutsch and co-founder Terence Lam thanked Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman/CEO John Janick, UMG EVP Michele Anthony and UMe President Bruce Resnikoff “for creating a unique architecture for implementing our new venture.”

“When we first met with the UMG team, we recognized kindred spirits,” Lam said. “We saw this very focused, forward-looking group of people – an amazing combination of experience, energy and a mandate to innovate in this rapidly changing music climate.”

Upcoming projects for this year include music from Chet Faker and Electric Guest and newcomers Goldroom, Tkay Maidza, Tei Shi and The Hours.