-          Signs exclusive license deal with Proper’s Navigator Records

-          Two album deal covers the world ex North America

-          Debut album ‘Talk To Strangers’ released on 28th April

12th March, London:- Navigator Records, an imprint of Proper Records , has signed up British singer-songwriter Fiona Bevan in an exclusive license deal for the world excluding North America. The agreement is for Bevan’s forthcoming debut ‘Talk To Strangers’, released on 28th April, with an option on a further album. Distribution is being handled by sister company Proper Distribution, both members of the Proper Music Group.

Produced by Shawn Lee (AM & Shawn Lee), ‘Talk To Strangers’ was recorded in his Bloomsbury studio entirely on analogue equipment, before undergoing mastering in San Francisco by the legendary George Horn (Bob Dylan, Sly & The Family Stone, John Coltrane). As well as vocals and writing duties, multi-instrumentalist Bevan plays guitar, violin, double bass, accordion and harp on the album, and even adds whistled birdsong.

Ahead of the release of first single “The Machine” (March 10th), an intimate launch party took place on March 5th at Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston, where Bevan regularly hosts a night. Performances came not only from Bevan herself, but also secret guests artist/writer/producer Ed Harcourt and south London rapper Fem Fel (Radio 1 Zane Lowe’s ‘Next Hype’ artist), whose remix of “The Machine” backs the single.

From an unassuming start in the music industry as a Saturday assistant in a small independent record store in Sudbury, to co-writing One Direction’s No 1 hit “Little Things” with Ed Sheeran, Bevan’s career has been as diverse as her talents. Last year she wrote, recorded and toured with jazz vocalist Gwyneth Herbert, and has previously undertaken song writing commissions for film, classical compositions and a Tate exhibition.

Bevan will be revisiting those beginnings with a live performance at the same shop, Compact Music, for Record Store Day, amidst a series of UK dates in support of the album. This includes a secret gig on April 26th in association with Sofar sessions, which will be held at an unknown location in Edinburgh. Bevan is also to perform a session for British music channel Vintage TV.

Confirming the agreement Bevan said: "I'm delighted to be licensing my album ‘Talk To Strangers’ to Navigator Records as they love the record I've made with producer Shawn Lee, and they really understand what I do. It feels incredibly exciting to work with a team who are so passionate about the music and who want to make something truly special happen."

Bevan’s managers Sally Gross and Pepe Jansz added: “Navigator and Proper have been genuine fans of Fiona Bevan's music from the start and it is great to be working in such a positive and supportive environment with people who understand and are also totally committed to working in the independent music sector. It is very exciting and we are all looking forward to the future together.”

About Proper Music group

Since 1988 Proper Music Distribution has grown to become the largest totally independent distributor in the UK with annual sales of over £25 million. In recent years it has been a frequent winner of the coveted ‘Music Week Awards – Best Distribution Team’.

Proper is renowned for having the knowledge, experience and personal service demanded of an independent specialist coupled with the reach and power of a major.

Incorporating UK physical distribution, a worldwide digital service, a label services division and comprehensive international export networks, Proper delivers all music formats in the widest possible market.

The Proper team effortlessly handles new releases and catalogue titles from many of the world’s finest independent labels working across all genres including Alternative, Americana, Blues, Electronic, Folk, Jazz, Pop, Reggae, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Urban, and World.

It is a subsidiary company of Proper Music Group Limited.

http://www.properdistribution.com/