EMI Relaunches I.R.S. As Frontline Label With Crush

Never one to let a little thing like an upcoming sale slow them down, EMI Music has decided to relaunch I.R.S Records’ as a frontline label. It will be operated in a new partnership between EMI Music North America and Crush Management’s Jonathan Daniel & Bob McLynn. Signings to the new I.R.S. will be announced over the coming months, with the first releases expected towards the end of the year.

I.R.S. Records was launched in 1979, and was the home to groundbreaking artists including R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, The Alarm, The Buzzcocks, John Cale and The Dead Kennedys during its 17-year history.

The new agreement extends the relationship between Crush and Capitol & Virgin Label Group President Dan McCarroll. They previously worked together in McCarroll’s former role as EVP of North American Creative at EMI Music Publishing, on the recent re-emergence of Train and the development of artist/songwriters including Butch Walker, Panic! At the Disco, Travie McCoy, Gym Class Heroes, and Cobra Starship into gold and platinum acts.