New York-born independent Partisan Records has appointed Zena White to the position of Managing Director of both Partisan and its sister company Knitting Factory Records.
Reporting directly to Founder and President Tim Putnam, White joins the company after a five-year tenure as MD at label services company The Other Hand where she worked on successful campaigns for the likes of Run The Jewels, Stones Throw, Innovative Leisure (BADBADNOTGOOD), Daptone Records (Sharon jones & the Dap-Kings, Charles Bradley), Mass Appeal (DJ Shadow), and Ghostly International among others.
Initially based in London, Zena White will move to Partisan’s Brooklyn office to oversee global operations for the company at the end of this year, with Putnam continuing to overseeing A&R and artist development.
Alongside White’s appointment Andy Hsueh will remain the company’s US Label Manager, with Jeff Bell moving from New York to the London office to take up the role of European Label Manager.
Partisan Records, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, broke both Deer Tick and Sylvan Esso in the US and is currently enjoying international success with new signing Cigarettes After Sex – who had clocked up 150 million tracks streams and three sold out European tours before their debut album was released this week.
“The Partisan team is dynamic and agile – the exact qualities a modern music company needs – and I’m excited and honoured to be joining full time.”
Zena White, Partisan Records (pictured)
Other artists currently active on the label’s roster include The Black Angels, Craig Finn (lead singer of the Hold Steady), London duo TENDER and Emel Mathlouthi, the Tunisian protest singer who became the soundtrack to the Arab Spring uprisings.
Knitting Factory Records houses the entire Fela Kuti catalogue and is releasing a new album from his son Femi later this year. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Fela’s passing and the label will be releasing a limited-edition LP boxset curated by Erykah Badu.
Zena White said, “After five wonderful years of working with some of my favourite artists and labels including Partisan and Knitting Factory in a service capacity, it’s time for a new challenge. This is an interesting time for independent music as new formats and new technologies are allowing us to achieve more for the artists we represent.
“The Partisan team is dynamic and agile – the exact qualities a modern music company needs – and I’m excited and honoured to be joining full time”.
Tim Putnam said: “Having worked with Zena for some time in her previous role at The Other Hand, where she did a fantastic job for our company, we knew she was the ideal person to take on this role.
“Her philosophy is aligned with ours and she already has a deep passion for the artists on our roster so it’s a great fit and we are genuinely excited about bringing her onto the team.”Music Business Worldwide
