Company Spotlight: Blue Raincoat Artists
Blue Raincoat Artists have been shaping global artist careers since 2014. From Cigarettes After Sex to Phoebe Bridgers and Arlo Parks, their focus is on long-term artists, strong relationships, and joined-up thinking across management, labels, and publishing.
Can you tell us when and how Blue Raincoat was established? Who are the key members of the team?
Blue Raincoat Artists was formed in 2014 by Jeremy Lascelles and Robin Millar. The key team members are our managers – Ed Harris, Darin Harmon and Zack McGuinness in the US; Ali Raymond, John Leahy, Rupert King, Amy Frenchum and Jeremy Lascelles in the UK
Could you share some information about the artists and creative talent currently on your roster?
Roster includes: Cigarettes After Sex, Phoebe Bridgers, Arlo Parks, Ezra Collective, Skunk Anansie, Nova Twins, Weyes Blood, Beta Band and several others
How would you describe your company culture/ethos?
We only manage high quality, long term artists with international appeal (I’m sure everyone says that). They have to be good people too!
Tell us about Blue Raincoat’s first major client and what inspired you to bring them on board?
Cigarettes After Sex. I was originally chasing them to try to sign them to our publishing company, but when I met their manager Ed Harris we pivoted towards Ed continuing to manage the band through Blue Raincoat Artists.
What criteria or factors do you consider when making decisions on which artists and talents to sign?
We have two routes. We either identify a manager who is working as a sole operator who needs the support and resource that BRA can give them to do their job even better. Or when one of our existing managers finds an artist (new or established) that they love and feel passionately about.
What unique strategies or approaches do you use to differentiate yourself in the competitive music management industry?
Blue Raincoat Music is also a record label (Chrysalis Records) and a publishing company (Blue Raincoat Music Publishing), as well as an artist management business. We deliberately keep the walls between those operations paper thin, so there are a lot of crossover opportunities and mutual support between our various businesses.
Do you offer any services or specialisms beyond your core management business?
As above, plus we have a high level in house legal, sync, neighbouring rights, financial teams
What music are the team listening to at the moment?
Many of our artists are in the studio right now or have records that are about to be released, so hopefully we are all listening to what our other clients are doing!