Leading independent company Blue Raincoat Music, part of the Reservoir group of companies, has announced a wide-ranging charity partnership with Attitude is Everything, the disability rights organization dedicated to connecting disabled people with the music and live events industry to improve access together.
As part of this new partnership, Blue Raincoat Music will offer the Attitude is Everything team access to training, networking and mentoring, in addition to an A&R feedback program and the obligation to initiate and participate in fundraising activities.
At its core, Attitude is Everything has a vision to help the music and live events industry value people with disabilities as spectators, performers, professionals and volunteers. Their work has amplified the voices of thousands of disabled people and created lasting change, helping more than 200,000 disabled people across the country access culture in Britain through accredited and accessible venues and events. More than 1,000 people with disabilities have volunteered to work with the charity and it continues to support disabled artists, alongside initiatives such as the ‘Next Stage’ and ‘Beyond The Music’ programmes, which bring established and aspiring music professionals within helping the disabled community.
Originally launched as an artist management company in 2014, Blue Raincoat Music diversified into music publishing in 2016. Later that year, it acquired the legendary independent record label Chrysalis Records, which added recorded music activities to its portfolio. Since then, Blue Raincoat Music’s management, publishing and music divisions have operated as Blue Raincoat Artists, Blue Raincoat Music Publishing and Chrysalis Records respectively, and now work with a selection of artists including Laura Marling, Ben Harper and Emeli Sandé, among others , in addition to co-signing publishing deals for the catalogs of Nick Drake, Mike Chapman and more.
Jeremy Lascelles, co-founder and CEO of Blue Raincoat Music, said: “Robin Millar, the co-founder of Blue Raincoat Music, has dealt with disability for most of his working life, so we think it is particularly appropriate that we are able to provide loans our support of Attitude Is Everything. Robin’s own experience of attending performances has been transformed from a miserable one through the work of this charity to one where he can now fully enjoy the performance. We are very grateful that they do such important work in improving access for people with disabilities in every area of the industry. We will provide Attitude is Everything with access to training, networking and mentoring, and an A&R feedback program, in addition to a fundraising campaign.”
Sir Robin Millar, Creative Consultant at BRM, added: “Having seen the transformative impact of AIE on my own concert experiences, I am very excited that Blue Raincoat is now working with AIE as they expand their reach to improve access to employment and music careers.”
Suzanne Bull MBE, Founder of Attitude is Everything said: “The Attitude is Everything board and staff team are grateful to Blue Raincoat Music for choosing us as their charity partner. We are honored that Blue Raincoat fully supports our vision and is committed to ensuring that access to music and live events improves for people with disabilities. We look forward to supporting their fundraising activities throughout the year, and we are excited about what is to come!”