Signed: ‘Painkiller’ Singer Ruel Signs With Giant Music & More

Giant Music, the record label launched under The Azoff Company banner in 2022, has signed Australian singer/songwriter Ruel, the company tells Billboard. This marks the first signing for Nate Albert, who joined Giant Music as president in January. The label will release “Kiss Me,” Ruel’s cover of the hit song by Sixpence None the Richer, on Thursday (June 27).

“Ruel is truly a singular talent, and we are thrilled to be part of his next chapter,” said Albert in a statement.

Best known for songs like “Painkiller,” “Dazed & Confused” and “GROWING UP IS ___”, Ruel released his debut album, 4TH WALL, last year. In August, he’s slated to play Lollapalooza for the first time.

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Also this week…

Hip-hop producer, singer and songwriter Lithe signed with WME for global representation. The Melbourne-bred artist began putting out music in 2018 and has released several EPs since. His single “Fall Back,” released in March, currently boasts more than 97 million streams on Spotify. He’s managed by Benjamin James of Mutual Friends.

Boston-bred alt-rock band Vundabar signed to Loma Vista Recordings. The label released the group’s new garage-rock song, “I Got Cracked,” on Tuesday (June 25). Composed of Brandon Hagen, Drew McDonald and Zack Abramo, Vundabar is best known for its RIAA platinum-certified track “Alien Blues,” which boasts more than 540 million streams on Spotify alone. “Vundabar has already accomplished so much as a totally independent band, and we are thrilled to welcome them to Loma Vista for this exciting next stage of their career,” said Loma Vista A&R Susan Busch in a statement. The band is managed by Ally Ehasz and Zack Zarrillo at Alternate Side and booked by Greg Horbal and Carly Goldberg at Wasserman.

Rising country singer-songwriter Bayker Blankenship (“Maxed Out”) signed with Lone Star/Santa Anna Records. According to a press release, “Maxed Out” boasts more than 26,000 creates and more than 6 million views on TikTok. In a statement, Alamo Records/Santa Anna Records CEO Todd Moscowitz said the song “is quickly establishing itself as a very reactive hit.”

Drew Baldridge signed with UTA for representation in all areas. The country singer-songwriter’s single “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” currently sits at No. 15 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, a feat he reached without the backing of a major label or a management team. Baldridge is signed with Sony Music Publishing. His team also consists of business manager Becky Harris (Huskin-Harris Business Management) and attorney Jeff Biederman (Greenberg Traurig, LLP). – Jessica Nicholson

Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter and producer Gallant (“Weight in Gold,” “Cave Me In”) signed with Mom+Pop Music. The first release under the deal is Gallant’s new single, “Coldstar.” Gallant has collaborated with artists including Dua Lipa, Zhu, Brandy, Noah Cyrus and Sufjan Stevens and appeared at festivals including Coachella, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits.

10K Projects signed virtual artist angelbaby via Web3 agency Hume and and will re-release the track “Life Is Good” featuring Jagwar Twin. “This agreement is a major milestone for Hume as we continue our mission to become Pixar for music,” said the Hume team in a statement. “We’ve been looking for a partner that can push our artists further into culture and we’re excited to work towards that goal with 10K on ‘Life Is Good.'”

Big Loud Records signed singer-songwriter Kashus Culpepper. The Alabama native began performing during a deployment with the U.S. Navy in Rota, Spain. On Friday (June 21), the label released his single “After Me?”. Culpepper is repped by CAA for booking and managed by Jay Harren. – Jessica Nicholson

Dexter and the Moonrocks, “a formerly country/western band” that now makes “Western Space Grunge music,” according to a press release, signed to Severance Records, an imprint of Big Loud Rock. The label will release the band’s latest EP — aptly titled Western Space Grunge — on July 19. “Bleach,” the first song from the EP, was released on June 12. The band is managed by Chris Schoemann at Lion’s Claw Entertainment and booked by Mike Krug at WME.

Country singer-songwriter Ashland Craft signed with independent record label Leo33. Craft has supported artists including Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Zac Brown Band, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen on tour. She recently wrapped her Damascus Acoustic Tour with Elvie Shane and performed at CMA Fest. She’s next slated to play festivals including Summerfest, Watershed Music Festival and Field & Stream Festival.