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Castelaz takes over at Elektra Records
In what must be something of a weird feeling, Milwaukee expatriate Jeff Castelaz has been named president of Elektra Records.
The news was confirmed in an internal Warner Music Group memo today.
"Since its re-launch in 2009, Elektra has helped develop the careers of some of today's most exciting and popular talents. Jeff – with his strong creative instincts, indie sensibility and entrepreneurial drive – is the perfect choice to take this iconic imprint to new heights," wrote Atlantic chairman and CEO Craig Kallman and Atlantic chairman and COO Julie Greenwald in the joint communique.
In a statement, Elektra founder Jac Holzman said "Jeff's broad experience with indie recording and indie management has given him the perfect combination of energy, taste and a commitment to scout the edges and find those seminal artists, a bit ahead of their time, who are capable of making a significant contribution to those who embrace the best of new music. I look forward to our association."
In an article by Todd Martens, the L.A. Times today quotes Castelaz:
"They asked if I would like to bring the spirit and the action plan that I've had with my own record label to bear under the Elektra Records banner," Castelaz told Martens.
"Truth be told it was an absolute surprise that the topic came up. As the words crossed their lips, I immediately felt like this could be a wonderful opportunity for me."
After managing Citizen King and other bands for years in Milwaukee, Castelaz moved to L.A. and started Dangerbird Records with Peter Walker, working with Silversun Pickups, Sea Wolf and Fitz and the Tantrums, among others.
Castelaz left Dangerbird last month to focus on the clients of his Cast Management business, a company he started here.
"I started to feel that after 20-plus years as an indie music dude – I was a manager since I was 18 and I started the label 10 years ago – I've accomplished a lot of my goals in the record company space.
"I'm ... excited to be given an opportunity to step into the top position at a deeply meaningful label. This is a label that generations of people have grown up listening to."
Among the many artists signed to Elektra over the years were The Doors, The Cure, Queen, The Cars and Anita Baker, among others.
Castelaz also founded the Pablove Foundation while his late son Pablo was battling cancer.
I said at the beginning that the move might seem a weird one to Castelaz, because back in his Milwaukee days, Castelaz was in talks with then Elektra boss Sylvia Rhone in trying to work out a deal between Citizen King and the label. I bet he'd never have imagined back then that he'd be following in Rhone's footsteps in the future.
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CoolerKing | Oct. 8, 2012 at 7:17 a.m. (report)
He could be just what Elektra needs. With the exception of Charlotte Gainsbourg and their extensive back catalog, that label has been tanking.
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