Sovereign Artists Enters Digital Online Retail Market with Release of 98lb Weakling's EP, 'Berlin'

Band is one of Several Bands Exclusively Featured At 2500 Cingular Wireless Stores In Association With New Apple ROKR iTunes Phone

Santa Monica, California (PRWEB) October 5, 2005 -- Sovereign Artists, the two-year-old record label whose eclectic artist roster includes Heart, Don Grusin, Bill Frisell/Petra Haden, The Crickets, Loudon Wainwright, Chris Hillman and Dee Dee Bridgewater, is set to makes its first major foray into the world of exclusive-to-online digital sales with the release of the critically-acclaimed band 98lb Weakling's first of three new EP releases, Berlin."

While Sovereign Artists is not the first label to release new music in an exclusive-to-online environment, what makes the online release of BERLIN" unique is the manner in which the CD will be released in a series of three EP's rolled-out in conjunction with partners iTunes, AOL Music, Intent Mediaworks and various other online retailers and online entertainment portals.

In another coup for the up-and-coming band, 98LB Weakling are just one of a handful of bands to be featured on the recently announced ROKR iTunes phone. Their track, Live Forever," was personally selected by executives at Apple to kick-off the debut of the phone. Live Forever" is also the theme song to the new Discovery Channel reality series, The Gym.," to premiere in October.

Heading-up Sovereign Digital's online sales and marketing efforts is Chip Schutzman who oversees all online activities for the label. Schutzman has extensive experience in the online marketing, research and development areas and views the digital retail market as a key component in the success of future digital releases for Sovereign Digital. In the ever-changing landscape of the music industry marketplace, it is important to be open to new ways of delivering and presenting content," says Schutzman. Our goal is to find and nurture artists and deliver their music in whatever format consumers wish to receive it. The manner in which Sovereign Artists is digitally rolling-out 98lb Weakling's first of three EP digital only releases are just the beginning for us."

In what might be called a platform release strategy," each participating digital retail partner will be granted exclusive releases in regards to the new EP for a particular period of time. iTunes and AOL Music will lead the release beginning October 4th with the exclusive iTunes release of the six-song EP Berlin." Berlin" will be exclusive to iTunes until January 1, 2006, at which point it will become available through other online retailers. Other future releases by 98lb Weakling on Sovereign Digital include the band's 2nd EP, London," scheduled for a January 10, 2006 premiere and New York," the third EP, to be released in April of 2006. Following the three-month period of exclusivity for each EP, they will be available through most online retail outlets as well as the 98lb Weakling and Sovereign Artists websites. The price for the EP Berlin" on iTunes is set at $4.49 for the release and .99 cents per individual song.

98lb. Weakling is the next rock band to take LA by storm. The brain-child of singer, rhythm guitarist Eric Fleishman, the group is a result of friends and musicians jamming and collaborating which lead to recording and touring. The band, consisting of drummer Chris Northup, bassist Nate King and Joerg Kohring from the multi-platinum selling group Lifehouse. The group's debut, a 2003 self-titled EP release heralded critical acclaim. The group has toured nationally and appeared on countless radio and TV stations across the country. To follow up on their initial success, 98 LB. Weakling entered the studio with producer and multi-instrumentalist Urban Olsen to lay the tracks that would be selected for television and feature film licensing as well as Sovereign Digital's current and forthcoming online EP's Berlin, London and New York.

About Sovereign Artists:
Sovereign Artists is an independent record label dedicated to quality, honesty and the power of music. With offices in Santa Monica, CA and Austin, TX, Sovereign Artists works with musicians across a diverse and eclectic spectrum of styles. Our collective goals are effective communication with fans, financial success from our efforts and the creation of great music. For more information, call (310) 314-4134 or log on to www.sovereignartists.com

For additional information please contact Alisse Kingsley at Muse Media (323) 467-8508.

www.sovereignartists.com
www.98lbweakling.com

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