Neil O’Brien Entertainment Launches Westway Music – a new musical theatre record label based in London whose initial signings include Samantha Barks, Ramin Karimloo, Kerry Ellis & Lee Mead
Westway Music is a new music and film platform dedicated to the music of theatre, from London’s West End through to New York’s Broadway and beyond. Formed by Neil O’Brien, the label has so far signed musical theatre stars Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimloo, Samantha Barks, Lee Mead, Joe Stilgoe and Cassidy Janson.
The label launches on November 12th with the release of Frozen star Samantha Barks’ brand-new studio album Into The Unknown. Covering songs from Broadway, West End and film musicals alike and with a couple of duets thrown in for good measure, it’s bound to be a corker, especially if her accomplished debut is anything to go by.
The 19th November will see Lee Mead’s DVD and CD In Concert, Recorded at the London Palladium released (why not check out my review from the live show here). And as if that weren’t enough, the following week sees Ramin Karimloo’s Live At Clapham Grand DVD join it on the shelves – digital, real or otherwise – on November 26th.
A further schedule of Spring 2022 releases include Kerry Ellis recording an album of new original songs, Cassidy Janson singing a collection of US West Coast classics supported with a Spring UK tour and Joe Stilgoe releasing an orchestral album, Theatre, performed with the world famous Metropole Orchestra.
‘Having represented some of the biggest names in U.K. musical theatre for their live touring since forming my agency nearly fifteen years ago it felt like a natural progression to look to make some music and films with them to compliment this. I am incredibly excited to be creating a new home for the music of theatre in an independent setting.’
Staff appointments include former SonyBMG executive Rachel Agnew as Label Manager and platinum recording artist Rhydian Roberts as A&R Director. All releases will be distributed internationally by Ingrooves.
