- Trio of signings includes Hartnoll’s (formerly of Orbital) new 8:58 project

- Also notable independent labels Full Time Hobby/Hassle Records and Peacefrog Records

- Upcoming releases from 8:58, José González, Smoke Fairies, We Are The Ocean and The Leisure Society

27th November 2014, London:- Essential Music & Marketing has signed up Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll for his new project – 8:58, alongside new deals with vaunted UK independent labels Full Time Hobby and Peacefrog Records.

Having closed the curtain on 25 years as part of electronic dance duo Orbital, Paul Hartnoll is set to release the first album from his new 8:58 project. Artist, album and title track all bear the same 8:58 moniker, which comes out of Hartnoll’s fascination with the theme of time.

The deal, which covers the world ex North America, sees Essential working directly with Hartnoll’s management company to coordinate the campaign, providing sales, distribution and retail marketing across all represented territories.

First single and album teaser ‘8:58’ features an introduction by Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy in the first of a number of guest appearances. Other collaborations include Robert Smith of The Cure, singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt, folk singer Lisa Knapp, and Northumbrian folk clan The Unthanks on a cover of The Cure’s ‘A Forest’.

The 8:58 album will be released in early 2015 with preorders already available, and supported by a full UK tour later in the year. It will be available in a variety of digital and physical formats including CD, double 180 gram vinyl set, and a deluxe double CD package.

Essential has also signed UK independent Full Time Hobby, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary with a number of sell out shows at the Southbank Centre and Shepherds Bush Empire. Covering UK and Ireland, Essential will provide physical and digital distribution, and marketing services to Full Time Hobby and sister label Hassle Records.

Full Time Hobby’s current roster includes Timber Timbre, Tunng, Pinkunoizu, Smoke Fairies, Erland & The Carnival, and The Leisure Society. Previous clients include White Denim and The Hold Steady. Meanwhile Hassle boasts such artists as We Are The Ocean, Lonely The Brave, and Balance and Composure, with past clients including Alexisonfire, Cancer Bats and Alkaline Trio.

Forthcoming releases from Full Time Hobby include a Christmas album from dream pop duo Smoke Fairies and the second album from alt-pop act Diagrams early next year, as well as new music from The Leisure Society. New works from We Are The Ocean and Under The Influence will also appear in 2015 on Hassle.

Completing the signings is another jewel in the independent sector’s crown – Peacefrog Records. The deal encompasses UK and Ireland digital/physical distribution, as well as digital marketing and direct-to-consumer support.

February sees the release of Vestiges & Claws – the first solo album in seven years from Swedish folk-pop singer-songwriter José González. His previous records Veneer and In Our Nature made the UK Top 10 and Top 20 respectively. First single ‘Every Age’ has already been shortlisted as one of Zane Lowe’s 100 Hottest Records of 2014. The album will be supported by a European tour starting February, with González closing out the year with an appearance at the Chonburi Wonderfruit Festival in Thailand next month.

Also appearing early next year is Love Is The Law, the second album from singer-songwriter Charlene Soraia, whose recent single ‘Caged’ was Radio 1 playlisted. Peacefrog is also home to acts such as Nouvelle Vague and Little Dragon.

Paul Hartnoll said: "I’m really excited about the new beginnings I have with Essential and my band 8:58. Forwards to the future!"

Commenting on the deals, Mike Chadwick, MD of Essential Music & Marketing added: “To say we’re thrilled is an understatement. We feel very privileged to be working with an artist such as Paul Hartnoll, and Full Time Hobby and Peacefrog – both incredibly well respected independent labels with exciting rosters. We’re looking forward to starting next year with some great releases as a result of these deals.”

About Essential Music & Marketing

Essential Music & Marketing was founded in 2003 by Mike Chadwick, former MD Vital Distribution, and Martin Goldschmidt, owner of Cooking Vinyl Records.

Initially launched to offer marketing and distribution services to select North American independent labels seeking to release across the UK and Europe, the company has grown into one of the UK’s leading independent distributors and service providers.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2013, Essential has now partnered with a wide range of independent labels, all of whom utilise the company’s range of bespoke services – from manufacturing and digital expertise, through to creative management, marketing, promotion and sales.

In 2012, the company delivered 14 UK Top 40 albums, and in 2013 it scored its first Platinum hit single, Passenger’s Let Her Go, on Nettwerk Records.

Essential is a member of the CV Group of companies, which include Cooking Vinyl Records, CV America, Cooking Vinyl Australia, Cooking Vinyl France, Cooking Vinyl Germany, Cooking Vinyl Publishing and Cooking Vinyl Property.

www.essential-music.com