Coldpress Music and Locomotion Special Projects have joined forces to create Special Projects, a development company for artists, producers and songwriters.
Having worked together on several other projects over the last two years, Tommas Arnby and Mike Malak have decided to launch the company with their current crop of talent, in pursuit of wider industry goals.
Mike Malak has been in the agency business for 15 years, working with artists from Billie Eilish and Girl in Red to Denzel Curry. He launched Coldpress two and a half years ago, with the intent of partnering with artists to build their careers. Tommas Arnby, an industry veteran who formerly worked in A&R at Sony Music, started Locomotion 13 years ago and has been instrumental in Yungblud's meteoric rise.
Special Projects have recently bolstered their team with the additions of Sam Cantlon, who will be focusing on the producer roster and day to day management of artist Nieve Ella, as well as the hire of Sophia Gee, who joins Special Projects from Prolifica Management and will be day to day on artist Hannah Grae.
Of the vision for the company, Mike Malak says, ‘The goal is to create a space for artists and producers to feel nurtured and supported so they can do what they do best. Leveraging as many quality relationships as we can and having full faith in our team to implement. Between the incredible physical space at Eastcote and our brilliant team, we want them to go against the grain of the industry quick wins and play the long game to build careers we are really proud of. The roster will remain boutique in size to ensure all get full time from our team. As we look to expand and join forces with strategic partners in the industry, Special Projects will release music and make further key hires in order to build a truly self-sufficient entity.’
Tommas Arnby says, ‘I really believe in our ability to build a business that truly supports talent, giving our artists time to evolve and grow and with emphasis on authenticity and amazing music rather than looking at what’s working or not working out there. Our mission statement of identifying, empowering and breaking more UK talent globally directly supports that mindset.’
