Fountaineer Join New Label From UNIFIED & Wonder Management Head Honchos

Big news broke today regarding the arrival of 1825 Records, the new label from UNIFIED founder Jaddan Comerford and Wonder Management founder Matt Emsell, with the pair announcing their intentions and revealing their immediate plans for the nascent company.

There's a wealth of new information regarding the company in a detailed story by The Music Network's Poppy Reid but, if you've been following 1825 Records' development this year, you'll know that Comerford and Emsell actually signed their first artist, Sydney muso Xavier Dunn, back in February. Now, they've complemented that initial deal by picking up buzzworthy Bendigo band Fountaineer, according to TMN.

Not to get all "called it" about it but, following Fountaineer's lauded showing at September's BIGSOUND showcases, we did predict that the band would score themselves a deal in the wake of their performance, such high quality as it was.

Both acts reflect Comerford and Emsell's ground-up approach to the music industry, with both men having pulled themselves up from humble origins to the positions of influence and power they wield today. Both Dunn and Fountaineer are in formative stages of their careers, making them a perfect fit for their new label home and its hands-on bosses.

"The idea is that we’ll develop these artists — in most cases — from very early days, working with them in Australia to develop a story which they can then take overseas," Comerford told TMN.

1825 Records will operate in co-operation with Warner Music Australia and Atlantic Records, with the latter's chairman and chief operating officer, Julie Greenwald, saying that "the entire Atlantic team is looking forward to the amazing artists that we know 1825 will be bringing us in the months and years to come".

Echoed Warner Music Australia's managing director, Tony Harlow: "1825 is something new, different and unique. I think only Jaddan and Matt would have the worldview and contacts to put something like this together."

"I feel totally excited that this will be a new opportunity for Australian artists on a world stage and, who knows, some world artists in Australia," he said. "We can’t wait to be part of it."

Comerford is planning to relocate from his base in New York to Los Angeles, where Emsell resides, to spearhead 1825's operations.

To find out more about the ascendant 1825 Records, see its website or Facebook page.