Drop the Mic, we just launched W Records

W Records Drop the Mic, we just launched W Records

Music isn’t just something we listen to, it’s our passion and it comes in two parts: 1) a way to give you a unique music experience and 2) a way to get you closer and more deeply connected to emerging and established musicians around the world.

From partnering with Billboard’s NEXT UP artist program to hosting our own WAKE UP CALL music festival and curating music in every room of our hotels to the first-of-its-kind in-hotel Sound Suite recording studios, it is no secret that we are incredibly passionate about music. Now, however, we are taking our passion even further by turning our love of supporting emerging artists into a reality with our very own label: W Records.

Scenes from the launch of W Records with Amber Mark held at W New York – Times Square on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Loren Wohl/Invision for W Hotels Worldwide/AP Images)

W Records is all about bringing fresh new music right to you and supporting the rising stars along the way. From label signing to record release, W Records stands by the artist through every step, providing recording space at our killer W Sound Suites, video shoot locations at W’s around the world, mixing and mastering, and finally, distribution of the new sound via amazing live performances, streaming and vinyl production.

Scenes from the launch of W Records with Amber Mark held at W New York – Times Square on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Loren Wohl/Invision for W Hotels Worldwide/AP Images)
Setting up W Times Square for the W Records Launch!
Scenes from the launch of W Records with Amber Mark held at W New York – Times Square on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Loren Wohl/Invision for W Hotels Worldwide/AP Images)
W Records' first project was releasing two songs with R&B songstress Amber Mark, and producing 500 limited-edition vinyl copies of the exclusive tracks

Global and dynamic, W Records supports artists across genres that celebrate the whenever/wherever mentality, introducing you to that next music obsession you’ll be dying to share with your friends. Run in the spirit of a small independent record label with a team of experienced and respected music industry aficionados, W Records is committed to making this platform good for everyone – and will donate all the W Records proceeds (from the streaming tracks to the swag sold) to a charity of each artist’s choice.

 

First up, W Records has partnered with R&B singer, producer, and songwriter Amber Mark to create two songs recorded in the W Hollywood Sound Suite: a cover of “High on Your Love” by Kings Go Forth and her original track, “Can You Hear Me.”

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Amber Mark in her video for "Can You Hear Me."
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The video was shot at the dynamic W Montreal.

To bring the new single to life, we shot the fashionably surrealist video at the boldly designed W Montréal, showcasing W Records’s hands-on approach to creating and celebrating the music of the future. “Recording for W Records in the Hollywood Sound Suite was a magical experience,” gushed Mark. “I’m usually only in a hotel for a night or so whereas spending my time recording there enabled me to really understand and get to know the environment and staff. I felt like Eloise. The video we filmed at W Montreal gave me an opportunity to experience a W in a different country, I really loved the vibe and the people.”

 

The song will be turned into a limited-edition vinyl distributed to DJs, tastemakers, and music-loving SPG/Marriott Rewards Members around the world, ultimately bringing you the new sounds you crave.

 

This initiative was especially important to the artist because it went towards a cause she holds close to her heart. “Breast cancer awareness is very important to me. I lost my mother to the disease. W Records donates all it’s streaming revenue to the charity of our choice and I chose The Rose because they work tirelessly getting women screened and tested. I want my music to make a difference to people and I’m delighted I can also help support such a worthy cause.”

Scenes from the launch of W Records with Amber Mark held at W New York – Times Square on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Loren Wohl/Invision for W Hotels Worldwide/AP Images)
Amber tearing it up on stage at the W Records launch.
Scenes from the launch of W Records with Amber Mark held at W New York – Times Square on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Loren Wohl/Invision for W Hotels Worldwide/AP Images)
Amber posing with the limited-edition vinyls of her W Records single!

To kick off the momentous W Records launch, Amber Mark delivered a groove-worthy performance at the always glowing W Times Square, turning it up for fans and supporters of W’s new, exciting venture.”I’m excited to be working with W Records because not only does the hotel have a long-lasting relationship with artists, but the people running the label are extremely knowledgeable, and experienced in the music business. I’m glad to have W Records join my larger team of PMR/Interscope/Virgin to help work towards reaching a wider global audience,” said Mark. From finding talent to giving them the space to make and perform their work, W Records believes that great music is made when you support artists every step of the way.

Scenes from the launch of W Records with Amber Mark held at W New York – Times Square on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Loren Wohl/Invision for W Hotels Worldwide/AP Images)
What a night! Here's to many more W Records parties coming to a W near you!

Stay tuned for more on Amber Mark, and look forward to our next talent, the vibey indie rock musician Perfume Genius.