Warner Chappell Music UK and Transgressive Publishing have renewed their partnership, which has seen them sign and work with a huge range of significant artists and writers during the past 17 years. The extension also now officially marks the joint venture as the longest-standing JV in Warner Chappell’s history to date.
The news arrives as modern icons Foals sign a new deal with Transgressive for their catalogue, side projects and future recordings. The band landed a Number Three album last year with Life is Yours, following on from the Mercury-nominated Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1, which went to Number Two, and Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2, which was the band’s first Number One album.
The extension also follows on from a string of recent signings, which include HotWax, a trio from Hastings who are one of the biggest breakthrough acts of 2023 and rapidly shaping up to be “Britain’s next great guitar band” (NME).
Black Country, New Road also joined the roster this summer. After making a huge impact at this year’s Glastonbury, the band are currently on a sold out world tour in the aftermath of two Top-Five albums, the Mercury Prize-nominated For The First Time and the critically revered Ants From Up There, plus this year’s EP, Live at Bush Hall.
Transgressive and Warner Chappell Music’s joint venture also includes Loyle Carner, whose recent third album hugo scored nominations at both the BRITs and Mercury Prize, alongside other acclaimed contemporary voices such as Marika Hackman, South Africa a cappella group The Joy, NYC’s Odetta Hartman, plus major catalogue hits from the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Noisettes and Mystery Jets.
Transgressive was founded as a record label in 2004 with the subsequent launch of Transgressive Publishing as a joint venture with Warner Chappell Music in December 2005 and then Transgressive Management following in 2006. The company was originally founded by Tim Dellow and Toby L, with third partner Lilas Bourboulon joining shortly afterwards.
Shani Gonzales, Managing Director, Warner Chappell Music UK, says: “I’m so pleased that Tim, Toby and Lilas want to continue our partnership. They’ve got great music instincts and are always huge fun to work with. I look forward to celebrating many more successes with them!”
Toby L, founder of Transgressive, adds: “It’s been over 17 years since we first started collaborating with Warner Chappell and we couldn’t be more delighted to extend the partnership. It can often prove rare to find creative and cultural alignment in the music industry, but for almost two decades we’ve found not just common ground but excellent results alongside the worldwide team of Warner Chappell since the formation of Transgressive Publishing.
“Extra special thanks are due to Guy Moot, Carianne Marshall, Shani Gonzales, Ed Condon, Kate Alderton and Amber Davis, as well as the global sync and registrations teams of Warner Chappell for their consistent care and passion for the artists. Love is also due to Chris Gossage and our long-serving team at Russells for wonderfully guiding us through this next era.”
