Exceleration has entered into an agreement to acquire iconic UK-headquartered independent music company Cooking Vinyl, which it describes as “one of the UK’s most successful and long-standing music companies”.
Founded in 1986, Cooking Vinyl is home to a roster of artists that includes Shed Seven, Suzanne Vega, Passenger, The Prodigy, The Cranberries, Billy Bragg, The Darkness, Deacon Blue, 47 Soul, Roger Waters and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Exceleration said on Monday (June 9) that Cooking Vinyl will continue to operate independently, led by Managing Director Rob Collins and his team.
Founder Martin Goldschmidt will remain in his current capacity as Chairman.
Exceleration was launched by five indie sector executives in January 2021, backed by what it described as “substantial investment capital”.
The music venture is still led by its group of original founders, including Glen Barros (former CEO of Concord Music Group), Dave Hansen (Executive Chairman of Merlin and former GM of Epitaph), Charles Caldas (former CEO of Merlin), Amy Dietz (former GM of Ingrooves) and John Burk (Grammy-winning producer and former President of Concord Records).
To date, Exceleration has acquired or formed “strategic relationships” with independents including +1 Records, Alligator, Azadi, Bloodshot, Candid, Down The Road, Heroic, Kill Rock Stars, Mack Avenue, Mom+Pop, Redeye Worldwide, SideOneDummy, The Ray Charles Foundation/ Tangerine Records and Yep Roc Records.
Most recently, Exceleration said that the acquisition of Cooking Vinyl brings together “two influential forces in the independent music sector.”
The deal arrives around two years after Exceleration acquired independent digital and physical distribution/services company Redeye.
According to the companies, Cooking Vinyl will integrate into Redeye’s distribution platform and gain access to Exceleration’s global infrastructure, “significantly expanding its growth opportunities worldwide”.
Exceleration also said it will tap into Cooking Vinyl’s “renowned artist marketing expertise,” while crediting Cooking Vinyl as “the originator of artist services with its signing of Billy Bragg in 1993, and a proven worldwide leader in the field”.
The acquisition comes during what Exceleration called “one of the most successful and dynamic periods” in Cooking Vinyl’s nearly four-decade history. In 2024, the company achieved two No.1 UK albums for the same artist with Shed Seven.
Previous No.1 albums for Cooking Vinyl include releases by Passenger and The Prodigy. Most recently The Darkness debuted at No.2 in the UK charts with their album Dreams on Toast.
Cooking Vinyl Publishing UK, Cooking Vinyl Publishing Australia and Motus Music are not included within the acquisition.
“At Cooking Vinyl, we’ve worked tirelessly to help our artists achieve both artistic and commercial success — without ever compromising their uniqueness or creative control. This deal enhances that mission.”
Rob Collins, Cooking Vinyl
Commenting on the deal, Collins said: “At Cooking Vinyl, we’ve worked tirelessly to help our artists achieve both artistic and commercial success — without ever compromising their uniqueness or creative control.
“This deal enhances that mission. Our artists will still benefit from our close-knit, highly personalised team that combines deep industry expertise with old-fashioned hard graft.
“But now, with the expanded US capabilities, enhanced resources, and the broader global reach of the Exceleration structure, we’re able to offer even stronger support to our current and future roster. I look forward to working with their team to spearhead this next phase for Cooking Vinyl!”
“I have known and admired Redeye and key members of the Exceleration partners since 1988 and am very pleased that our future will be with people who understand and appreciate who we are, and where we belong.”
Martin Goldschmidt
Added Goldschmidt: “I have been running an independent label for over 40 years. This deal takes the label to the next level and offers far greater opportunities for our team and our artists.
“The cultures and synergies between our companies are immense. Creating a worldwide proposition is the obvious one but more important to me are the shared values of commitment to independence and caring about artists and our team.
“I have known and admired Redeye and key members of the Exceleration partners since 1988 and am very pleased that our future will be with people who understand and appreciate who we are, and where we belong. I look forward to helping guide Rob and his team to realise Cooking Vinyl’s full potential in my role as Chairman for many years to come.”
“The addition of Cooking Vinyl, and their impressive team, to the Exceleration system represents a significant step forward in our mission to invest in market-leading independents globally.”
Glen Barros, Exceleration
Glen Barros, Founding Partner of Exceleration, said: “The addition of Cooking Vinyl, and their impressive team, to the Exceleration system represents a significant step forward in our mission to invest in market-leading independents globally.
“Cooking Vinyl not only brings a set of remarkable artists into our orbit, but their team adds an important piece to the puzzle for Exceleration’s Artist and Label Services capabilities, including enhancing Redeye Distribution outside of the US. Their history of chart and commercial success aligns perfectly with our long-term vision.”
Cooking Vinyl is claimed to “consistently [have] been at the forefront of the digital revolution and evolution”.
In 2005 the label set up its own online distribution company, Uploader, which was sold to the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA). After selling its in-house distribution company, Uploader, to the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA), Cooking Vinyl became a stakeholder in another independent distribution and services company in Essential Music & Marketing.
Essential Music was founded in 2003, working with label partners including FatCat, Cherry Red, Lojinx, Nettwerk, Concord Music Group, BMG, Thirty Tigers, Snapper, Fierce Panda and Full Time Hobby – as well as Cooking Vinyl itself.
Essential Music was acquired by Sony Red in 2016, later forming the basis for the Sony Music‘s The Orchard in the UK market.
Cooking Vinyl remained 100% independent following the Essential Music sale.Music Business WorldwideMusic Business Worldwide
