Press We7 signs with indie giant
Jan 16, 2009
Peter Gabriel founded free music service, We7 has signed a deal with Europe's largest independent music label group, Beggars Group.
The deal will allow users of We7 free access to around 20,000 tracks from Beggars' significant catalogue. Beggars Group represents the labels XL Recordings, Matador, 4AD, and Rough Trade and their rosters include a diverse selection of award winning artists such as Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, Jarvis Cocker, Adele, Cat Power, British Sea Power and TV On The Radio to name but a few.
The agreement with the label group represents a major boost to We7's already significant independent music offering. The tracks will be available on demand, for free, ad-funded streaming and users will also be able to buy them from the We7 online store in high quality MP3 format.
The deal includes music from all labels and artists.
"Discussions with Beggars, and Simon Wheeler in particular, on digital music in the early days of We7, were both illuminating and significant to the development of our business. As such, it is a great honour, to be able to sign a deal with such an influential label group, and to be able to offer our users access to their incredible music catalogue." Steve Purdham, CEO - We7
"We7 is delighted to be able to work with the largest and most influential independent label group in Europe. The Beggars Group is renowned for having their artists at the heart of everything they do, and have already led some fantastic pioneering digital initiatives. With We7's user base growing rapidly, there are exciting opportunities to promote Beggars repertoire to stimulate plays and mp3 sales." Clive Gardiner, VP Digital Content - We7
"We're pleased to add We7 to our long list of digital partners across the world. Making our music available to the fast growing We7 audience will enable more fans to discover and enjoy our poll topping, award winning and best selling artists and labels. We're looking forward to working with We7 to help develop their service further and drive more revenues from both the ad supported and retail elements of their business." Simon Wheeler, Director of Digital - Beggars Group
About We7
Co-founded by Peter Gabriel, We7 is a free, legal ad-funded music service which represents the UK's first realistic legal alternative to music piracy. Users can stream unlimited full tracks and albums and create their own playlists by simply searching and clicking to play.
We7 has music from all four major labels as well as hundreds of independents through deals with distributors including [PIAS], the Orchard, Finetunes, InGrooves, Iris and Believe, with individual labels and now Beggars Group.
The service works by grafting short, relevant ads which precede the free music tracks based upon information known about the user, such as location, age and gender. This advertising ensures that artists and labels receive royalties for making their songs available.
We7 received a BT Digital Music Award in 2008 for Best Music Service.
About Beggars Group
The Beggars Group's musical focus is fiercely independent. In 2008, the labels that form the group are 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade Records and XL Recordings.
Artists currently working with the above labels include Adele, Anthony & The Johnsons, Atlas Sound, Basement Jaxx, Beck, Belle & Sebastian, Beirut, Blonde Redhead, Bon Iver, The Breeders, Cat Power, Jarvis Cocker, Dizzee Rascal, The Hold Steady, Jay Reatard, Mogwai, M.I.A., My Morning Jacket, The National, The Raconteurs, Scott Walker, Sigur Rós, The Strokes, Stereolab, Super Furry Animals, Thom Yorke, TV on the Radio, Vampire Weekend, Voxtrot, The White Stripes and Yo La Tengo.
For enquiries about We7 please contact:
Hannah Emanuel | 07984 622808 | hannah@we7.com
