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Island Records signs first band via Spinnup platform
By Chris Cooke | Published on Monday 21 September 2015
Universal’s Island Records has signed Scottish outfit Model Aeroplanes, which is double news because they are the first band to be signed after self-releasing tracks via the Universal-owned digital distribution platform Spinnup, which Island now uses as one of its talent-scouting tools.
Universal Music in Sweden, where Spinnup first launched back in 2013, has now signed nine artists via the platform. Model Aeroplanes are the first band to be signed via the service in the UK, having been originally spotted by Spinnup scout Yvonne McLellan.
She says of the band: “I first came across the boys in Model Aeroplanes a few years ago. We kept in touch and I would go to their shows every now and then, just to see how things were developing. I remember the moment when I went to see them and I thought: ‘Oh my, they’ve cracked it!’ When discussing the way forward, I suggested that for their next single they should think about Spinnup. They got on board and I scouted them. It’s such a pleasure to be around them and I can only see them going from strength to strength”.
For the label’s part, Island Records Head Of A&R Louis Bloom told reporters: “A&R is the lifeblood of what we do at Island Records, which is why Spinnup as a platform is so important in our discovery strategy going forward. The growing success of Model Aeroplanes is a testament to our commitment to nurturing new talent and we’re really excited to have them join us at Island”.
