Los Angeles-based pop publisher PULSE Music Group is expanding into the record label space.
PULSE, which already operates a music publishing and artist management arm, is launching a new label called PULSE Records, with Concord.
The new venture will be supported by Concord’s existing label services platform and administrative teams, and will be led by PULSE Music Group principals Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, along with Ashley Calhoun, President/Head of Creative.
“We have been looking to grow our PULSE Music Group brand into the records space for a while now,” said Cutler and Abraham.
“Given our background as producers and songwriters in our own right, we bring a unique perspective to working in the label space — but we knew we had to get our footing right.”
With the launch of PULSE Records, Concord says that it is “doubling down on its already successful partnership” with PULSE.
In 2020, Concord and PULSE Music Group first entered into an exclusive A&R-driven joint venture following the news that Concord Music Publishing had acquired Fujipacific Music’s stake in PULSE Music Group to become the majority owner of PULSE. Our sources suggested at the time that the acquisition was valued at well north of $100 million.
According to the latest announcement on Tuesday (June 27), the new label venture will see PULSE Music Group lead A&R, creative, and marketing services while Concord will provide “a global footprint, financial resources, administration, and label services for PULSE Records”.
The label will be a part of Concord Label Group and will be distributed through the company’s longtime relationship with Universal Music Group.
PULSE Records has brought on board Lauryn Caldwell as SVP/Head of Marketing for the label. Caldwell served for seven years at mtheory LLC as Vice President, Marketing & Artist Partnerships.
She also worked in music marketing at TikTok and as Tour Marketing & Artist Development Manager at Warner Bros. Records.
The company has also appointed Sara Ahmed as Vice President of Marketing. Ahmed previously served as Senior Director of Marketing for Atlantic Records, following positions at EMPIRE and Live Nation.
Tizita Makuria, who joined PULSE Music Group in November 2022 (formerly Senior Director of A&R, APG) will serve as Vice President of Creative across both PULSE Music Group publishing and PULSE Records.
Bel Mesbahi has joined the team as Creative Director, A&R across both PULSE Music Group publishing and PULSE Records. Mesbahi previously worked at Alamo Records.
“It takes the right business partners to build a business like this, and we couldn’t be happier to have the backing of Concord and the support and business acumen of its senior leadership team as we continue to grow PULSE Music Group and launch PULSE Records.”
Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, PULSE Music Group
Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham, Co-CEO’s of PULSE Music Group, said: “We have been looking to grow our PULSE Music Group brand into the records space for a while now.
“Given our background as producers and songwriters in our own right, we bring a unique perspective to working in the label space—but we knew we had to get our footing right.
“Now with the 15-year success of our publishing division, a company we have built from scratch, we are surrounded by the very best in emerging talent and a highly curated roster. With PULSE Records we will continue to set a very high artistic bar.”
Added Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham: “In addition to launching emerging talent, we have plans to work with artists that helped to redefine genres with whom we have created very strong relationships over the years that will soon be coming out of their existing deals.
“There is a lot of goodwill in the community for PULSE. Our team is known to provide a creative sanctuary and a community where songwriters and recording artists can grow their careers, and with the launch of PULSE Records, we are now even better positioned to achieve this for our clients.
“It takes the right business partners to build a business like this, and we couldn’t be happier to have the backing of Concord and the support and business acumen of its senior leadership team as we continue to grow PULSE Music Group and launch PULSE Records.”
“Scott, Josh, Ashley, and the team at PULSE have been a great collaborator with Concord in publishing some of the highest charting songs in the world.”
Bob Valentine, Concord
Bob Valentine, incoming CEO of Concord, said: “Scott, Josh, Ashley, and the team at PULSE have been a great collaborator with Concord in publishing some of the highest charting songs in the world.
“Globally recognized as one of the leading frontline creative teams and first-class incubators for culturally relevant music, PULSE Music Group is a company that Concord continues to greatly admire, and we couldn’t ask for more exceptional business partners as we work to launch PULSE Records.”
As Pulse enters its 15th anniversary year in 2023, the company reports that its client roster is credited with more than 200 million units of recorded music sales and more than 75 billion music streams.
With more than 250 active clients, PULSE Music Group has amassed over 350+ Gold & Platinum certifications.
Elsewhere, PULSE Music Group’s existing creative ventures include American Songs, the publishing entity founded by legendary music producer Rick Rubin; Creative Nation, the country music publishing and management company created by Luke and Beth Laird; Wide Eyed Entertainment, the management and publishing company founded by Beka Tischker; long-time Ariana Grande collaborator, TBHits; Mike Dean (producer of hits by Jay-Z, 2Pac, Beyoncé, Nas, Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, Migos, Kid Cudi, Justin Bieber, Big Sean, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, A$AP Rocky, Madonna, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Christina Aguilera, and Kendrick Lamar); and Stargate (Grammy-winning production duo, 10X #1 Hot 100 hitmakers).Music Business Worldwide