Believe has had its checkbook out again.
The distribution and services company, which owns TuneCore, has acquired one of the biggest independent distribution companies in Europe – Groove Attack GmbH – for an undisclosed fee.
The buyout adds to other recent headline-worthy purchases at Believe, include a 49% stake in French indie label Tôt ou tard and the majority-acquisition of historic rock label Nuclear Blast.
Now, Believe has acquired Groove Attack GmbH and its subsidiaries – Rough Trade Distribution, GoodToGo and Justbridge.
Groove Attack GmbH acquired Rough Trade Distribution in Germany in 2008, and subsequently launched sales-force-for-hire GoodToGo.
Groove Attack services artists such as Farid Bang, Fettes Brot (pictured), Rin, Philipp Poisel, Curse, Raf Camora, Miami Yacine, UFO361 and Alligatoah.
It provides distribution and other services to labels such as Chimperator, KMN Gang, Grönland, Indipendenza, Trailerpark, Play It Again Sam, Mascot, Division, BMG, Out Of Line and Domino.
“United we are stronger – we will be able to take our leadership in innovation to new levels in Germany and internationally.”
Frank Stratmann, Groove Attack
Frank Stratmann, General Manager of Groove Attack, said: “We have found the ideal partner for our artists, labels and our team. Believe’s focus on new distribution and artist marketing channels will improve our capabilities enormously and I am particularly looking forward to further consolidating our market position, together with Thorsten Freese and both our teams.
“United we are stronger; we will be able to take our leadership in innovation to new levels in Germany and internationally. I am very excited about our future and what this alliance will empower us to do in furtherance of our mission to always best serve our artists and labels.”
Thorsten Freese, General Manager of Believe Digital GmbH, added: “Our mission is to best serve artists and labels with the most care, fairness and transparency. In this age of rapid digital transformation, we are always looking at developing the best teams in the industry who are experts in their genre of music and showing the utmost care to artists and labels.
“Combining Groove Attack’s capabilities with Believe’s digital expertise and international presence will allow us to provide a very unique service offering.”
Thorsten Freese, Believe
“The Groove Attack team has long proven it is the best team to develop hip hop artists in Germany, while Rough Trade Distribution has a great track record in breaking rock & pop artists and has built the best distribution set-up for local and international labels.
“Combining those capabilities with Believe’s digital expertise and international presence will allow us to provide a very unique service offering.”Music Business Worldwide
