Innova and Naxos

Congrats to the American Composers Forum, whose excellent Innova Recordings label -- make that innova (lower case!) -- will now be distributed by Naxos. Its a good sign that the little label that truly puts music ahead of marketing (it's a non-profit), will be around for some time to come. That's good news to music lovers like me that count on innova to bring us off the beaten path material and a pipeline for contemporary composers (esp. those who haven't made it big). Here is the presser:

innova Recordings® Signs Distribution Agreement
with Naxos of America, Inc.

John Nuechterlein, President and CEO of the American Composers Forum, announced today that the Forum has finalized an agreement with Nashville-based Naxos of America to distribute innova Recordings. Under the terms of the agreement, Naxos will be responsible for both physical and digital distribution of recordings on the label, as well as representing the entire catalog in its streaming library service starting in October, 2009. Physical distribution will begin on January 1, 2010, with digital distribution beginning on March 1, 2010.

The American Composers Forum (ACF) is a national service organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Among the many ACF programs and services for composers, innova fills a niche unlike any other: putting quality recordings of notable new music into the global marketplace. The business model is artist-friendly in that 100% of the income from sales is returned directly to the artists and they retain all rights to their product.

According to Nuechterlein, “The agreement with Naxos demonstrates that innova Recordings has clearly become a significant label for new work. We are providing a critical link for composers by helping them distribute directly to their audience in the widest possible ways.”

innova Recordings was founded in 1982 as a way to document work by the composes who received a McKnight Fellowship Award. During the early years, innova produced several sampler LPs featuring the works of a range of Minnesota composers and performing ensembles.

In 1994, innova expanded operations to include recordings by a wider range of artists. Today, innova produces more than 25 CDs per year and has amassed a catalog in excess of 300 titles representing a diverse mix of musical genres encompassing experimental, electro-acoustic, jazz, world music, and contemporary classical titles.  innova releases have received wide acclaim and are prominent in radio, media, and charts. The partnership with Naxos is the latest example of the success of the label.

“We are delighted to put ground-breaking new music in front of a global audience,” says label director Philip Blackburn.  “It will counter some of the invisibility felt by makers of new music; their labors become a little less underground now.  We are proud to have established a reputation as one of the most challenging and catholic labels in the field.”

Founded in 1987, Naxos has become the world's leading producer of classical music,
releasing more new classical recordings than any other company. Naxos has subsidiaries in most major music markets around the world and has been an industry pioneer in online sales, licensing, and distribution of their recordings. innova Recordings will be one of a select handful of labels included under their distribution wing.

“The Naxos of America team is thrilled to be working so closely with such an important label for American music and artists. We look forward to a wonderful partnership with the folks at innova,” said Naxos CEO Jim Selby.