4AD
Beggars Group Names New President
4AD U.S. label manager Nabil Ayers will succeed Matt Harmon as president of Beggars Group’s U.S. operations, the label group announced Tuesday (Jan. 25). Harmon, who has been with Beggars for 24 years, is exiting the company to pursue other opportunities. The label consortium has also promoted Claire Taylor to the role of general manager. Ayers has served as U.S. label manager for Beggars Group subsidiary 4AD since 2009. In his absence, Simon Halliday will continue leading 4AD in his role as worldwide managing director. “We are very grateful to Matt for his contributions over two decades which have brought us such success, but equally excited about Nabil and Claire’s elevations, as we look forward to an even brighter future,” said Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills in a statement. Ayers i...
Big Thief Unveil New Single ‘Simulation Swarm’
Indie-folk darlings Big Thief just released their newest single “Simulation Swarm” amid anticipation for their next record. “Simulation Swarm” stands out as an unreleased fan favorite performed at the band’s live shows. Adrianne Lenker continues to delve into her poetic folk roots with emotionally resonant lyricism layered over catchy guitar riffs. Prior to the release of “Simulation Swarm,” Big Thief released several singles including “Little Things/Sparrow,” “Certainty,” “Change,” “Time Escaping” and “No Reason/Spud Infinity.” The band’s last record, Two Hands, floored audiences in 2019 with their attention to subtle emotions and the ability to translate these emotions into deeply moving songs. Big Thief finds their strength in the narratives they craft. [embedded content][embedded conte...
Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker Announces Two Solo Albums, Shares “anything”: Stream
Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief has revealed two new solo albums, songs and instrumentals. Both projects are due out October 23rd, and Lenker has provided a preview with the new single “anything”. This wasn’t part of the plan. Lenker had hoped to be on tour with Big Thief most of this year, capitalizing on the success of their twin 2019 releases U.F.O.F. and Two Hands. But when the pandemic scuttled that trek, the notoriously prolific songwriter retreated to a one-room cabin in the mountains of western Massachusetts. With the help of engineer Philip Weinrobe, she embarked on an all-analog (AAA) recording process. They began each day with an improvised acoustic jam, and they ended each session with the same. These off-the-cuff explorations landed on the instrument...
Jon Batiste and Nabil Ayers on Black Lives Matter, Protests, and Change Across the Music Industry
Kyle Meredith With… Jon Baptiste and Nabil Ayers Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | Radio Public | RSS Jon Batiste, band leader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Nabil Ayers, the US general manager for 4AD, both join Kyle Meredith to discuss how Black Lives Matter has affected their work and the entire music industry. Batiste talks about leading protests on the streets of New York and the importance of voting in the upcoming election. While Ayers discusses his recent New York Times article about Ed Eckstine, the first black person appointed president of a major U.S. record label, the industry’s approach to Blackout Tuesday, and the autobiography he’s working on about his own history in the bus...
Tkay Maidza Signs to 4AD, Drops New Banger “Shook”: Stream
Rising Australian rapper Tkay Maidza has inked a deal with legendary British indie label 4AD, currently home to artists like Grimes, The National, and Big Thief. It’s not a common destination for fledgling rappers, but Maidza, who recently collaborated with Baltimore experimentalist JPEGMAFIA, is no ordinary hip-hop artist. For proof of her refreshing approach to the genre, fans won’t have to look beyond her banging new single “Shook”. On the track, Maidza can be heard rapping with an elastic flow over a distinctly Missy Elliott-esque beat. The sonic parallel isn’t purely coincidental, either; “Shook” was actually produced by Dan Farber, who helmed the instrumental for Lizzo’s “Tempo” single featuring Elliott herself. Maidza’s cadence during the verse is also slightly reminiscent...
