MySpace a place for friends

SANTA MONICA, CA -- February 19, 2007 -- A&M/Octone, a new record label announced today, will be home to multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning modern rock/pop superstars Maroon 5 and breaking gold-selling, alternative rockers Flyleaf. The label’s first release will be the highly-anticipated studio follow-up to Maroon 5’s debut album, “Songs About Jane,” which sold 10 million units worldwide.

A&M/Octone will be headed by CEO/President James Diener, formerly President of Octone Records and Sr. VP, A&R/Marketing, for J Records & The RCA Music Group. In the formation of the label, A&M/Octone is acquiring SonyBMG’s interest in OctJay, a joint venture between SonyBMG and Octone Records. Artist roster will also include Octone developing acts Michael Tolcher & Dropping Daylight, new signings and select Interscope contributed artists. A&M/Octone will be based in New York City and distributed worldwide by the Universal Music Group. Current A&M roster artists will remain within the Interscope Geffen A&M family marketed under the established A&M name.

“A&M is one of the jewels in our family of labels, which has thrived under the leadership of Ron Fair,” said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “Ever since he became Chairman of Geffen Records, I have been thinking about the next chapter for A&M. Once I got to know James Diener, and recognized his accomplishments with Octone, I saw the opportunity to marry these two imprints in order to create a new exciting company, in the tradition established by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, ideal for these dynamic times.”

"The launch of A&M/Octone represents an important new artist-development opportunity for the industry,” said James Diener. “I couldn't be more excited, enthusiastic and determined to honor the heritage and tradition of the A&M legacy. On behalf of myself, my Octone executive team and our artists, we are uniquely grateful to Jimmy Iovine and the entire Interscope family - as well as Doug Morris and the Universal Music Group - for this endorsement of support and partnership."

In the launch of A&M/Octone, Diener will be joined by his senior executive team David Boxenbaum (General Manager) and Ben Berkman (EVP/Head Of Promotion). Other key A&M/Octone executives to be announced shortly.

Diener began his career in the music business in 1992. He rose to the post of VP, A&R/Marketing at Columbia Records/Sony Music, guiding marketing and creative campaigns for Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Black Crowes, The Jayhawks, Tony Bennett, Chris Whitley, Roger Waters, Johnny Cash, Iron Maiden, and New Kids On The Block, among others. In 2000, Diener simultaneously formed Octone Records, an independent record label distributed by BMG Music, and was appointed Vice President, A&R/Marketing at J Records, where he signed and developed platinum singer/songwriter, Gavin DeGraw.

As Octone’s debut signing, Maroon 5’s 2002 “Songs About Jane” has been certified quadruple platinum in the USA and gold/platinum in over 35 countries. The album spawned four platinum singles --“Harder To Breathe,” “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved” and “Sunday Morning.” Maroon 5 won the Grammy for Best New Artist and the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 2004. “This Love” won the Grammy in 2005 for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.

Flyleaf’s self-titled debut is already certified Gold, charting on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart for over 50 weeks with two hit singles, “I’m So Sick” and “Fully Alive.”

SUBMIT DEMOS TO A&M/OCTONE

A&M/Octone no longer accepts hard copies of demos. If you would like to submit a demo for consideration please EMAIL your website address or MySpace URL to us at: demosubmission@amoctone.com
DO NOT SEND MP3'S!

When submitting music, please keep in mind that due to the tremendous amount of submissions we receive, we can not get back to everyone with feedback. EVERY submission we receive gets listened to and reviewed. If there is interest- you WILL hear back.

Make sure to include the following in your email:
1. The band's best tracks to review (3 to 4 songs)
2. The band/manager/lawyer contact information
3. What style of music? What are the artist's influences?
4. Anything else you feel is relevant to the band

INTERN AT A&M/OCTONE

A&M/Octone Records is a New York City based record label focused on Rock and Pop/Rock genres. The label is distributed by Universal Music Group with a joint venture with Interscope Records and is the home to Maroon 5, Flyleaf, Hollywood Undead and more developing artist. Headquartered in the SoHo neighborhood of NYC, we are consistently searching for enthusiastic interns dedicated to music and breaking developing artist. Internship responsibilities will vary from coordinating promotional mailings to administrative duties to developing A&R/Sales/Marketing research and plans.

All interns will receive work related to all departments to gain a fundamental instinct to record label operations as a whole and later will focus on their interest/goals in this internship - A&R, Marketing, Sales, Online, Publicity, Finance, Web design and more. Our goal at A&M/Octone is to ensure you walk away with experience not only in one department but in all areas. If this is you, we’re waiting for your resume! We love our interns to be around as much as possible whether its in our open office environment where you can hear everyone from the President to other interns work or outside the office at company outings. We are also sensitive to the student’s schedules therefore will gladly work around their availabilities. Interns must also be able to receive credit and have housing around the NYC area to qualify for the internship. Please submit your resume to internships@amoctone.com for consideration to be a part of our intern staff!