Sanctuary Records to wind down U.S. label

By Chris M. Walsh

NEW YORK (Billboard) - British independent music company Sanctuary Group will wind down the majority of the operations at its U.S. label this summer, according to a source within the company.

However, it will continue to run its catalog, licensing and new media operations. U.K. executives arrived in New York last Thursday and told Sanctuary Records staffers that they would cut operations by June 30, according to a source at the label.

The label will still work on current records, as well as those coming to market, like former Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan's solo debut "Are You Listening?," which is due out May 15.

"It is important to do the right things for albums like those," says one source. "But then everyone who deals with front-line will be leaving at various times over the new few months," including marketing, publicity and most sales personnel.

Meanwhile, the catalog, licensing, and new media department and certain back-office functions will remain staffed in the U.S. going forward.

The label is also home to artists such as Morrissey, Widespread Panic, Motorhead and Idlewild.

Reuters/Billboard