Chicago-based independent hip hop label Closed Sessions - home to releases from Kweku Collins, Jamila Woods, DJ Rude One, WebsterX, SHIRT, ShowYouSuck and more - recently announced a new partnership with Fat Possum's distribution arm House Arrest.
Run by Alexander Fruchter and Mike Kolar, Chicago Tribune's Chicagoans of the Year winners in 2016, Closed Sessions began as a music and documentary compilation in 2008, taking audiences inside their studio and to the centere of the city's hip hop scene with artists such as Raekwon, Wylcef Jean, Curren$y, Bun B, Action Bronson, Vic Mensa, Young Chop, Freddie Gibbs, Rockie Fresh, Thelonious Martin, CyHi The Prynce, Mick Jenkins, Saba, Noname, and many others.
Since then, Closed Sessions has apparently become a staple in its local music community, known for its management, distribution and label services for both emerging and established artists. House Arrest will now facilitate all of Closed Sessions' distribution, and their first collaborative release will be announced soon.
Alexander Fruchter and Mike Kolar on the new partnership:
"This partnership with House Arrest came down to our desire to grow as a label, not just in size but also in scope of what we can do for our artists. Joining House Arrest gives us a distribution partner that will not only get our music into stores and online retailers, but can also mentor us in how to grow and scale our company. We are able to pick the brains of people with experience, passion, and success in independent music. They understand how to work with us because they started from the same place. In addition, Peter showed a genuine interest in Closed Sessions and our artists. It is common for him to regularly email me links to new CS songs, press mentions, shows etc... before I've even had chance to see them myself!"
Peter Wiley from House Arrest on Closed Sessions:
"When we started House Arrest three years ago, the goal was simple: create interesting partnerships with interesting labels. I first found out about Closed Sessions a year and a half ago, and went about every way I could think of to sign them. It's taken a while and everyone at House Arrest couldn't be more stoked. Alexander and Mike from CS quietly go about their days adding a new and dynamic chapter to Chicago's historic Hip Hop scene and whatever way House Arrest can participate, we're 100% onboard."
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