Mom + Pop Music, one of the most respected independent record labels in the business, has signed a distribution deal with Universal Music‘s Virgin Music Group, the companies announced Thursday morning.
Founded in 2008 and spearheaded by Michael Goldstone and Thaddeus Rudd, Mom + Pop is home to indie acts like MGMT, Caamp and Magdalena Bay, and has also released music for artists including Sleigh Bells, Ashe and Flume, among others. The label was previously distributed by Redeye Distribution.
“Partnering with the team at Virgin is positively the right fit for us — they’ve been the most flexible and respectful of our ethos and independence,” Goldstone said in a statement Thursday. “Thaddeus and I have worked with JT (Myers) Nat (Pastor), Jacqueline (Saturn), and Jeremy (Kramer) in different capacities over the years, and that shared history — along with their entrepreneurial spirit — was the catalyst for this partnership.”
In a statement, Myers and Pastor, Virgin Music Group’s co-CEOs, said Mom + Pop’s “decision to partner with us is a powerful validation of what we’re building. We’re honored by their trust and excited to support Mom + Pop in this next chapter of global growth.”
It’s a major distribution signing for Virgin, which made major headlines at the end of last year for its acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings, the parent company to distributors like CD Baby and FUGA. That deal is currently facing regulatory scrutiny out of Europe, though UMG has said it still expects the deal to close before the end of the year.
Before starting Mom + Pop, Goldstone had already cultivated a reputation as a prolific A&R executive, signing the likes of Pearl Jam and Rage Against the Machine, among others.
“Goldie made a significant impact on my career, showing me how A&R and artist development go hand in hand,” Jacqueline Saturn, Virgin Music Group’s president of North America and EVP of Global Artist Relations, said in a statement. “I’ve watched Goldie and Thaddeus build such a meaningful roster and outstanding team at Mom+Pop. Their ability to identify, nurture and break independent artists with authenticity and heart is truly exceptional. We can’t wait to get started.”
The Virgin signing is the latest in a busy 2025 for Mom + Pop. Back in February, the label brought in Katie Fagan to oversee the label’s new Nashville office, one of many coastal record companies growing their presence in Nashville as country music continues to boom. In January, the label launched a content creation and digital agency called PIPES. Last week the label named Zoe Barton EVP of digital, viral, commerce and marketing.
“Virgin is a place where entrepreneurs are empowered,” Rudd said in a statement. “We share a deep belief in artistry, a passion for music, and a commitment to independent music. That shared foundational view will be a powerful next chapter for Mom + Pop.”
