Concord Announces Joint Venture With Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound
The label has released more than 20 albums since its inception, gathering seven Grammy nominations.
Concord has announced a long-term, exclusive joint venture with Easy Eye Sound, the label founded by the Black Keys’ frontman Dan Auerbach.
The label has released more than 20 albums since its inception, gathering seven Grammy nominations, four of which were for Yola’s widely-feted 2019 release Walk Through Fire. Auerbach himself, an eight-time Grammy winner, received a songwriting nomination for his work on that release, which he produced.
Easy Eye, with its offices and studio based in Nashville, boasts a roster that also includes country great John Anderson, rising Alabama act Early James, Bay Area rockers Shannon and the Clams, and Nashville songwriter Kendell Marvell.
A dozen albums for 2021
The worldwide partnership calls for Concord to release all new recordings made for Easy Eye Sound, and to distribute all catalog albums that have reverted, or will revert to the label, during the course of the agreement. Plans are in place for 12 album releases during 2021, with the label retaining its Easy Eye Sound name and logo.
“When I founded Easy Eye Sound a decade ago,” says Auerbach, “it was meant as home base for my musical vision and as a way to discover and support artists I believe in. It’s exciting to see the record label and recording studio evolve and begin a worldwide partnership with the fine folks at Concord.”
Notes Tom Whalley, Concord’s chief label executive: “I’m thrilled to partner with Dan and his label Easy Eye Sound. Dan’s passion runs through Easy Eye’s in-house songwriting, production and the overall cohesive vision of the label. He brings a stellar roster and a committed staff under the leadership of Tom Osborn. Easy Eye Sound will be a great addition to Concord Recorded Music’s group of labels, and the partnership will give Dan and his artists a global platform of opportunity. I look forward to great things.”
Of his approach to running the label, Auerbach has said: “Because I’ve lived many aspects of a musician’s life, I have a unique connection to my artists, and I channel that into this label and studio to record and share with musicians that inspire me. I look for honest and overlooked voices and stories and try to shine some light on them.”
