Caroline Australia adds UK indie to label partners

Melbourne-based label services company Caroline Australia has inked a partnership with Handsome Dad Records.

Founded by Sam Denniston and Will Kneale in Manchester, UK, Handsome Dad was formed to offer support and exposure to the music they love using DIY ethics. Its roster of artists includes UK buzz bands The Big Moon, Beach Baby, Spring King and Makeness.

The first two offerings through the partnership are from Manchester multi-instrumental singing songwriter Aldous RH and West London five-piece Babeheaven.

Aldous RH recorded hypnotic, bass-heavy electro bed Sensuality in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Babeheaven release Moving On, the intimate, symphonic rush between vocalist Nancy Andersen and guitarist Jamie Travis.

Speaking to TMN, Label Manager George Dalziel said it was Handsome Dad’s DIY ethic and A&R model that made him a fan of the label.

"[Handsome Dad has been] recording, investing and releasing 7-inch records with no physical distributor," he said. "Also making sure their roster are supporting each other in the live sphere is pivotal in creating a label’s identity, it’s something Handsome Dad do a great job at!"

Universal Music Australia (UMA) launched the autonomous Caroline Australia on May 20 in 2013 as a label services arm with Tim Janes as General Manager. Its local and international label partners include Resist (La Dispute), Good Manners (Banoffee), Spunk (Mogwai, Tiny Ruins), Dine Alone (City & Colour, We Are Scientists), Popfrenzy (Jonathan Boulet) and Nuclear Blast (Sepultura, Suicide Silence), Fearless (Wage War) and Tru Thoughts (Quantic).