Aware Records
Encyclopedia
Aware Records is an American
record label, existent to seek unsigned musical artists
and expose them to the mainstream media. The label has had success with a range of artists, including John Mayer
, Train
, Five For Fighting
, Mat Kearney
and Guster
.
in the country and increase their national exposure through a compilation album
. In the fall of 1995, the label formed the inaugural Aware Tour, utilizing its marketing team to pack venues from Nashville
to Boston
. The first tour built a strong foundation leading to larger, more aggressive, national tours from 1996 to 1999. In July 1997, Aware entered into an agreement with Columbia Records
providing the major label with grassroots
artist development, and Aware access to national marketing and distribution. By 1998, Aware secured national sponsorship from Levi's
and Nantucket Nectars
. In 1999, Aware embraced the power of the Internet in the music business and secured sponsorships from Efollett.com
and Liquid Audio. The 2003 Aware Tour was sponsored by Ice breakers and featured Toad the Wet Sprocket
as headliner, with Aware bands Wheat
and Bleu
as supporting acts. Aware's joint venture with Columbia Records was renewed in the summer of 2002.
Through Aware's relationship with Columbia Records, they have released full-length albums by artists such as Train
, Five for Fighting
and John Mayer
. Aware's rise in the music industry has also afforded the company many unique opportunities. Aware was the exclusive CD retailer for the H.O.R.D.E.
tours from 1995–1998 and Woodstock '99
. In the July 2010 Aware's joint venture deal with Columbia expired; Aware has since signed a new deal with Universal Republic
.
Current Aware artists include Mat Kearney.
, Anya Marina
, Brandi Carlile
, Cary Brothers
, Five For Fighting
, Jack's Mannequin
, Jason Lehning, Mat Kearney
, Matthew Mayfield
, Mayday Parade
, Rachel Platten
, This Providence
, and Vedera
.
>
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record label, existent to seek unsigned musical artists
Unsigned artist
The term "unsigned artist" or "independent artist" is used in the music industry as a marketing technique.-History and current scene:Many unsigned artists used to sell their music and music-related merchandise without the financial support of a record label, while often seeking a recording contract...
and expose them to the mainstream media. The label has had success with a range of artists, including John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
, Train
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
, Five For Fighting
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
, Mat Kearney
Mat Kearney
Mathew William "Mat" Kearney is an American musician born in Eugene, Oregon, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Kearney has received critical acclaim and widespread recognition for his Columbia Records debut, Nothing Left to Lose. So far, he has a total of four top 20 hits on the Adult Top 40...
and Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
.
History
Aware Records was founded in 1993 by Gregg Latterman with the simple intention to find the best unsigned actsUnsigned artist
The term "unsigned artist" or "independent artist" is used in the music industry as a marketing technique.-History and current scene:Many unsigned artists used to sell their music and music-related merchandise without the financial support of a record label, while often seeking a recording contract...
in the country and increase their national exposure through a compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
. In the fall of 1995, the label formed the inaugural Aware Tour, utilizing its marketing team to pack venues from Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. The first tour built a strong foundation leading to larger, more aggressive, national tours from 1996 to 1999. In July 1997, Aware entered into an agreement with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
providing the major label with grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
artist development, and Aware access to national marketing and distribution. By 1998, Aware secured national sponsorship from Levi's
Levi Strauss & Co.
Levi Strauss & Co. is a privately held American clothing company known worldwide for its Levi's brand of denim jeans. It was founded in 1853 when Levi Strauss came from Buttenheim, Franconia, to San Francisco, California to open a west coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business...
and Nantucket Nectars
Nantucket Nectars
Nantucket Nectars is a beverage company created by Tom First and Tom Scott who met at Brown University in 1985. After graduation they headed to Nantucket where they started Allserve, a floating convenience store servicing boats in Nantucket Harbor, delivering everything from newspapers to...
. In 1999, Aware embraced the power of the Internet in the music business and secured sponsorships from Efollett.com
Follett Corporation
Follett Corporation is a River Grove, Illinois-based company that provides a variety of educational products to schools, colleges, and public libraries through its subsidiaries.-History:...
and Liquid Audio. The 2003 Aware Tour was sponsored by Ice breakers and featured Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. The band enjoyed chart success in the 1990s with the singles "Walk on the Ocean," "All I Want,"...
as headliner, with Aware bands Wheat
Wheat (band)
Wheat is an indie-rock group formed by Scott Levesque , Brendan Harney , Ricky Brennan Jr. , and Kenny Madaras in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1996.-History:...
and Bleu
Bleu (musician)
William James McAuley III , best known by his performing name, Bleu, is an American pop artist , professional songwriter and producer currently living in Los Angeles. Bleu graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts...
as supporting acts. Aware's joint venture with Columbia Records was renewed in the summer of 2002.
Through Aware's relationship with Columbia Records, they have released full-length albums by artists such as Train
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
, Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
and John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
. Aware's rise in the music industry has also afforded the company many unique opportunities. Aware was the exclusive CD retailer for the H.O.R.D.E.
H.O.R.D.E.
Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere or H.O.R.D.E. Festival was a touring summer rock music festival originated by the musical group Blues Traveler in 1992. In addition to travelling headliners, the festival gave exposure to bands, charities, and organizations from the local area of the...
tours from 1995–1998 and Woodstock '99
Woodstock 1999
Woodstock 1999, also called Woodstock 99, performed July 22–25, 1999, was the second large-scale music festival that attempted to emulate the original Woodstock Festival of 1969. Like the previous Woodstock festivals it was performed in upstate New York, this time in Rome, New York, around 200...
. In the July 2010 Aware's joint venture deal with Columbia expired; Aware has since signed a new deal with Universal Republic
Universal Republic
Universal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
.
Current Aware artists include Mat Kearney.
A-Squared Management
Formed in October 1999, A-Squared Management (or A² Management) is a separate management division whose current clients include A Rocket to the MoonA Rocket to the Moon
A Rocket to the Moon is an American rock band. The band was founded during 2006 in Braintree, Massachusetts by Nick Santino, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist...
, Anya Marina
Anya Marina
Anya Marina is a singer-songwriter based in San Diego, California. Her music has primarily gained notice after being on a variety of television sitcoms and has been featured on prime time dramas.the ABC television drama Grey's Anatomy as well as CBS's How I Met Your Mother, MTV's The Real World,...
, Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
, Cary Brothers
Cary Brothers
Cary Brothers is an American indie rock singer-songwriter originally from Nashville, Tennessee. After moving to Los Angeles and becoming a regular performer at the influential Hotel Cafe venue, Brothers first gained national attention with his song "Blue Eyes" on the Platinum-selling,...
, Five For Fighting
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
, Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin is an American rock band formed in 2004, originally hailing from Orange County, California. The band began as a side project of Andrew McMahon, the frontman for Something Corporate, and is composed of guitarist Bobby Anderson, bassist Mikey "The Kid" Wagner, and drummer Jay...
, Jason Lehning, Mat Kearney
Mat Kearney
Mathew William "Mat" Kearney is an American musician born in Eugene, Oregon, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Kearney has received critical acclaim and widespread recognition for his Columbia Records debut, Nothing Left to Lose. So far, he has a total of four top 20 hits on the Adult Top 40...
, Matthew Mayfield
Matthew Mayfield
Matthew Mayfield is an American singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. Originally the lead singer in the group Moses Mayfield, which disbanded in 2008, Matthew has moved on to a solo career...
, Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade is an American rock band from Tallahassee, Florida. The band formed in 2005 when members of popular local Tallahassee bands Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment converged in 2006. Their debut EP Tales Told by Dead Friends was released in 2006, and sold over 20,000 copies without any...
, Rachel Platten
Rachel Platten
Rachel Platten is an American pop singer best known for her single "1,000 Ships", a top 30 hit on the Adult Top 40 Chart. Platten grew up in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. Her album, Be Here, was released from Rock Ridge Music in 2011....
, This Providence
This Providence
This Providence is a four-piece Alternative Rock band from Seattle, Washington. The band consists of Dan Young , David Blaise , Gavin Phillips , and Andy Horst .-Formation and early history:...
, and Vedera
Vedera
Vedera is a pop/rock band from Kansas City, Missouri.- History :Kristen May grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Blue Springs, as did the rest of her bandmates. Her entire family was musical; her mother was a singer who loved Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Jim Croce. “I listened to those artists,...
.
Artists
Note: These artists have a current or previous affiliation with Aware Records, however they may not have released any albums through the label.- Dave BarnesDave BarnesDave Barnes is an American rock-R&B-contemporary Christian singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.-Early life:...
- Better than EzraBetter Than EzraBetter Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
- BleuBleu (musician)William James McAuley III , best known by his performing name, Bleu, is an American pop artist , professional songwriter and producer currently living in Los Angeles. Bleu graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts...
- Brandi CarlileBrandi CarlileBrandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
- Nelson Chin
- Dovetail Joint
- Farmer
- Newton FaulknerNewton FaulknerSam Newton Battenberg Faulkner is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Reigate, Surrey. Known for his guitar playing, which involves rhythmically tapping and hitting his guitar's body, Faulkner came to prominence in 2007, with the release of his debut studio album, Hand Built by Robots...
- Five for FightingFive for FightingFive for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
- GusterGusterGuster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
- Hootie and the Blowfish
- JackopierceJackopierceJackopierce is an American alternative rock band formed by Jack O'Neill and Cary Pierce in Dallas, Texas in 1988. Their style is focused around vocal harmonies and acoustic guitars.-History:...
- Mat KearneyMat KearneyMathew William "Mat" Kearney is an American musician born in Eugene, Oregon, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Kearney has received critical acclaim and widespread recognition for his Columbia Records debut, Nothing Left to Lose. So far, he has a total of four top 20 hits on the Adult Top 40...
- Edwin McCainEdwin McCainEdwin McCain is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Career:While his albums are released under his name, he does have a permanent band, referred to as the Edwin McCain Band...
- John MayerJohn MayerJohn Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
- Mile
- Mutemath
- Matt NathansonMatt NathansonMatt Nathanson is an American singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic and electric guitar, and has played both solo and with a full band. His work includes the platinum-selling song "Come On Get Higher".-Early life and college...
- Nineteen Wheels
- Alice PeacockAlice PeacockAlice Peacock is an American folk singer and has recorded three independent albums. A native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, she is based in Chicago, Illinois, where she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at U.S...
- Cary Pierce
- Glen PhillipsGlen PhillipsGlen Phillips is a songwriter, lyricist, singer and guitarist. He is best known as the singer and songwriter of 1990s alternative rock group Toad the Wet Sprocket.-Personal life:...
(of Toad the Wet SprocketToad the Wet SprocketToad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. The band enjoyed chart success in the 1990s with the singles "Walk on the Ocean," "All I Want,"...
) - Melissa Polinar
- Red Elephant
- Kyle RiabkoKyle RiabkoKyle Riabko is a Canadian pop singer, guitarist, and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He resides in New York City....
- Riddlin' KidsRiddlin' KidsRiddlin' Kids was a punk rock band from Austin, Texas and was made up of Clint Baker , Dustin Stroud , Mark Johnson , and Dave Keel .- 2001-2005:...
- Stepanian
- StirStir- Formation and major label signing :Stir was founded in 1994 as a three piece band at the University of Missouri, and consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Andy Schmidt, bassist Kevin Gagnepain, and drummer Brad Booker...
- Tabitha's SecretTabitha's SecretTabitha's Secret was a band formed in March 1993 in Orlando, Florida. It was originally composed of lead vocalist Rob Thomas, John Goff, and Jay Stanley on guitar, Brian Yale on bass , and Chris Smith playing drums., Brad Presa was the bands roadie...
- Angel TaylorAngel TaylorAngel Taylor is a pop singer-songwriter based out of the Los Angeles area.Angel Taylor's debut album, entitled Love Travels was released on iTunes on March 31, 2009 through Aware/Columbia Records. An EP titled "Love Travels EP" was released on iTunes in February 2009 prior to the release of...
- Thanks to Gravity
- The ThornsThe ThornsThe Thorns are an American acoustic rock band formed in 2002 as a project of Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge, and Shawn Mullins.The band toured the United States and Europe throughout 2003, in support of their eponymous debut album.-Discography:...
- TrainTrain (band)Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
- Vertical HorizonVertical HorizonVertical Horizon is an American alternative rock band formed at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1991. The band is best known for a string of hits in 1999 and early 2000s, including "You're a God", "Everything You Want", and "Best I Ever Had ". Their most recent album, Burning the...
- The Verve PipeThe Verve PipeThe Verve Pipe is an American rock band from East Lansing, Michigan. It was formed in 1992 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown.-History:...
- Matt WertzMatt WertzMatt Wertz is a singer/songwriter. Originally from LaVale, MD he now calls Nashville, Tennessee, home. Wertz's interest in music started when he was young, but it was his interest in visual art that led him to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he graduated with a degree in...
- WheatWheat (band)Wheat is an indie-rock group formed by Scott Levesque , Brendan Harney , Ricky Brennan Jr. , and Kenny Madaras in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1996.-History:...
>
See also
- List of record labels
- Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
- Columbia Records artists
- Sony Music EntertainmentSony Music EntertainmentSony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
- Sony BMG Music EntertainmentSony BMG Music EntertainmentSony BMG Music Entertainment was a recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG...