Killer Tracks, a Universal Publishing Production Music company, has partnered with independent record label Wax Ltd. to launch production music label Audio Wax. The Audio Wax label will be led by multi-platinum-selling producers/songwriters and Wax Ltd. founders Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry.
Launching with four albums, Audio Wax’s catalog will span anthemic rock, indie/alternative, motivational and uplifting/atmospheric. For the recordings, Gagel and Barry enlisted musicians and producers associated with Wax Ltd., including from the bands Blondfire, Redlight King, Passion Pit, Best Coast and Family of the Year. Recorded with live musicians, Audio Wax’s albums are available now through the Killer Tracks website. Additional releases are planned throughout 2019.
Since founding Wax Ltd. In 2011, Gagel and Barry have a track record for developing new talent across a range of genres. Successes include indie-produced singer/songwriter Zella Day’s breakout hit "Kicker," as well as Family of the Year’s critically acclaimed 2012 debut "Loma Vista." Recently, Gagel and Barry co-wrote and produced Swedish singer Elliphant’s single "Til the End," featured in the film Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse. Wax Ltd.’s current roster includes up-and-coming artists Blondfire, WORLDS, Nona and Emerson Star.
The creation of Audio Wax builds on an existing, successful relationship between Gagel, Barry and Killer Tracks, and expands for the first time signature production music. Gagel and Barry have previously written and produced numerous songs for Killer Tracks’ library. Past works have been very successful and widely licensed, including promos for HBO and the Golden Globe awards, and commercials for Nokia and other brands.
“Wally and Xandy are rock star composers, fluent in contemporary trends and connected to an array of emerging artists through their label,” said Killer Tracks EP Ryan Perez-Daple. “We are incredibly excited about the launch of Audio Wax, which represents Wally and Xandy’s distinctive sensibilities and their dedication to quality and authenticity.”
“Our aim was to create a separate label for the production music world, focused on our studio and our network of artists and session musicians,” said Gagel. “We want it to be something special, organic and real.”
“Our concept is to deliver work that is a cut above standard production music,” added Barry. “We maximize quality by applying all of our resources, employing the same musicians and recording techniques we would for a massive commercial release with huge budget.”
Wax Ltd.’s studios are located on the site of legendary TTG Studios, which hosted classic sessions by Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, the Velvet Underground, and others. The studios offer state-of-the-art recording technology and vintage gear, including a unique collection of guitars, synthesizers and amps.
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More