BMG Launches Indie Americana Label Renew Records

BMG has launched Renew Records to focus on American-roots and Americana music. The LA-based label will be led by BMG EVP David Hirshland.

The launch of Renew comes three months after the announcement of Modern Recordings, a BMG label dedicated to new classical, jazz, and electronic music, and the first new label to be launched by BMG since it commenced operations in 2008.

Renew Records joins the BMG roster of US-based labels which includes Broken Bow, Stoney Creek and Wheelhouse, S-Curve Records, Rise Records, and RBC Records, operating alongside the core BMG label. 

Renew Records’ release schedule kicks off on Record Store Day (April 18) with the all-star tribute album Wilcovered. Originally available as a promol CD bundled with UK’s Uncut Magazine, the album will be re-released for the first time on LP, with select tracks released digitally. The 19-track Wilcovered features cover songs from Wilco’s celebrated catalog, including Billy Gibbons, Kurt Vile, Courtney Barnett, Sharon Van Etten, and Parquet Court.

Additional upcoming releases include a new album from The Suitcase Junket; an Americana-inspired railroad compilation, featuring well-known and original train songs from Dave Alvin, I See Hawks in LA’s Rob Waller, Carla Olson, and more; and a never-before-released Johnny Cash live album recorded in 1968 at the historic Carousel Ballroom in San Francisco (since renamed the Fillmore West) a week before the release of Live at Folsom Prison. 

Hirshland said, “Renew Records is a wonderful opportunity for BMG to provide further creative outlets for our great talent, as well as new discoveries. BMG’s lineage to some of the most lauded American roots music artists and songwriters is unparalleled. From the historic to contemporary BMG is the destination for great artistry and we look forward to helping artists and songwriters achieve more.” 

Hartwig Masuch, BMG CEO, said, “The launch of Renew Records serves to amplify BMG’s strong position in Americana and offers further opportunities for artists to expand their relationship with us. The fact it will be headed by David Hirshland is another big plus. David joined BMG nearly a decade ago, following the acquisition of Bug Music. He has always had his finger on the pulse, and is one of the leading executives in the space. I am delighted he will now apply his expertise to our fast-growing recorded business.”