Aware Records

This article is about the record label. For other uses, see Aware (disambiguation).
Aware Records
Founded 1993
Founder Gregg Latterman
Distributor(s) Republic Records
Genre Pop, rock, folk, alternative
Country of origin US
Location Evanston, Illinois, United States
Official website Aware Records

Aware Records is an American record label, existent to seek unsigned musical artists and expose them to the mainstream media. The label has had success with a range of artists, including John Mayer, Train, Five For Fighting, Mat Kearney and Guster.

History

Aware Records was founded in 1993 by Gregg Latterman with the simple intention to find the best unsigned acts in the country and increase their national exposure through a compilation album.[1] In the fall of 1995, the label formed the inaugural Aware Tour, utilizing its marketing team to pack venues from Nashville to Boston. The first tour built a strong foundation leading to larger, more aggressive, national tours from 1996 to 1999. In July 1997, Aware entered into an agreement with Columbia Records providing the major label with grassroots artist development, and Aware access to national marketing and distribution.[1] By 1998, Aware secured national sponsorship from Levi's and Nantucket Nectars. In 1999, Aware embraced the power of the Internet in the music business and secured sponsorships from Efollett.com and Liquid Audio. The 2003 Aware Tour was sponsored by Ice breakers and featured Toad the Wet Sprocket as headliner, with Aware bands Wheat and Bleu as supporting acts. Aware's joint venture with Columbia Records was renewed in the summer of 2002.[1]

Through Aware's relationship with Columbia Records, they have released full-length albums by artists such as Train, Five for Fighting and John Mayer. Aware's rise in the music industry has also afforded the company many unique opportunities. Aware was the exclusive CD retailer for the H.O.R.D.E. tours from 1995–1998 and Woodstock '99. In the July 2010 Aware's joint venture deal with Columbia expired; Aware has since signed a new deal with Universal Republic.[1]

Current Aware artists include Mat Kearney.

A-Squared Management

Formed in October 1999, A-Squared Management (or A² Management) is a separate management division whose current clients include, Emily Hearn, Marie Miller, Mat Kearney, and Mayday Parade.[2]The label currently has just one artist signed (compared to 4–5 at its peak in the early 2000s), while the management division has 4 artists currently under management.

Former management clients include The Fray, Liz Phair, Brandi Carlile, Michelle Branch, Motion City Soundtrack, Jack's Mannequin, This Providence, Brendan Benson, A Rocket to the Moon, and Five For Fighting.

Artists

Note: These artists have a current or previous affiliation with Aware Records; however, they may not have released any albums through the label.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Company Info". Aware Records. 2009. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  2. "A² Management". Aware Records. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-27.

External links

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