FUGA announces partnership with Polyvinyl, launches global Catalog team

15 December 2022 - Press release

● Deal to include digital distribution and full suite of marketing services
● Polyvinyl also sign global partnership with Downtown Neighbouring Rights
● Matt D’Amico joins FUGA as Marketing Strategy Manager - Catalog


Today, leading full-service B2B distributor FUGA, a division of Downtown Music, announces its partnership with legendary US indie label, Polyvinyl Record Co., which counts mainstay artists Alvvays, of Montreal, American Football, Laura Jane Grace, and Julia Jacklin as part of its eclectic roster.

The seminal indie label will be employing FUGA’s holistic suite of distribution and marketing services, including access to the company’s enhanced trends and analytics platform, DSP marketing, API access and account management across their releases.

Polyvinyl also will be entering into an agreement with Downtown Neighbouring Rights, whose notable roster includes Justin Bieber, Ella Fitzgerald, Sub Pop Records and Young T & Bugsy. The recently launched Downtown Music division brings together Downtown Music Services, Downtown Neighbouring Rights and FUGA, into one cohesive offering that aligns tech solutions, label & artist services, and distribution. In November, FUGA and Downtown Neighbouring Rights announced that seminal electronic label group Insomniac Music Group would be partnering with the two services.

Maintaining an esteemed reputation within the rock and indie music scene for over two decades, Polyvinyl fiercely advocates for independent artists and has grown steadily and organically to achieve an established catalog of over 400 releases and 100 artists, including acclaimed albums by artists such as Jeff Rosenstock, Momma, Deerhoof, Jay Som, Japandroids, White Reaper, and Kero Kero Bonito.

Allie Barbera, Senior Business Development Manager, Americas said, “Polyvinyl’s dedication to independent artists and their creative freedom perfectly aligns with FUGA’s mission to empower independent labels. We’re truly excited to be working with such a notable, forward-thinking company that champions the independent sector and to provide them with FUGA’s breadth of services.”

Based out of Champaign, Illinois, Polyvinyl first grew its roots in 1994 as a fanzine called “Polyvinyl Press”. Created by co-owners Matt Lunsford and Darcie Lunsford, Polyvinyl Press was launched to cover the DIY music scene across Illinois and the greater midwest of America. Fast forward to 1996 - and the decision to launch a split 7” alongside the 3rd issue of their zine - and Polyvinyl Records was born.

Matt Lunsford, President & Co-Founder, Polyvinyl Record Co. said, “This move represents Polyvinyl’s continued commitment to our artist-first ethos. We are proud to provide our artists a fully independent path to digital distribution and marketing via our partnerships with FUGA and Merlin: both of whom share our passion for empowering independent music.”

The new deal follows a successful 2022 for FUGA in the US, including new global partnerships with pioneering punk rock label, Dischord Records and Evan Bogart’s Seeker Music, which has acquired some of the publishing and recording catalog rights for Run the Jewels and Christopher Cross, among others.

The US team has also seen significant growth within its senior leadership this year with the appointment of Sarah Landy as SVP Americas, Ryan Stockwell as Senior Marketing Services Director - Americas and Zach Koche as Business Development Director, all based in FUGA’s LA office. Koche's recent signings include Insomniac Music Group.

Matt D’Amico additionally has joined FUGA’s global workforce as Marketing Strategy Manager - Catalog. One of three new catalog hires and formerly the Vice President of Global Product Development, A&R and Marketing for Universal Music Group's Catalog Division, D’Amico is based in FUGA’s LA office and will oversee the strategic and creative development of the catalog owned by FUGA’s extensive clientbase.