New Entries: welcome Mandy, Adele and Samuel

IDOL wants to welcome the new employees in the group and get to know them a little bit more. At the beginning of 2024, Mandy Freebairn joined our Label Management team in New York, Adèle Kemp strengthened the British team as Label Manager, and Samuel Delwasse joined the administrative team at our Paris headquarters. Scattered across the globe, it was a challenge, but we managed to bring them together in one room for a group photo.

What did you do before joining IDOL?
I came to IDOL from Omnian Music Group (Captured Tracks / Sinderlyn / 2MR), a Brooklyn-based indie label group. I started interning there during college and later became their first Community Manager. Then I became a project manager in 2020, working with a selection of their roster artists on new release campaigns, marketing efforts, etc.

What is your current job title?
US Label & Project Manager. I provide day-to-day support for some of our US labels like Acrophase Records, toucan sounds, Old Soul Music, and HighNote Records. I also help develop North American strategy for some of our international labels and projects.

What drew you to work with IDOL?
Distribution was a side of the music business that I had always been curious to learn more about, but which also seemed more bureaucratic and impersonal than what I was used to. I was drawn to IDOL because it embodied the opposite: their roster showed a clear commitment to independence and artistry. I really appreciate the international nature of the company as well – I’m always looking for an excuse to practice my French 🙂

Can you share a personal anecdote or hobby that you’re particularly passionate about?
I’ve been practicing yoga for several years and recently got my teaching certification.

What’s your latest IDOL musical discovery?
UTO’s new record is so good. I think ‘Napkin‘ will be one of my most-played songs this year.

What did you do before joining IDOL?
Before working at IDOL I worked at AWAL for six and a half years as a Senior Manager in Artist and Label Development, supporting labels like Glassnote Records and Good Soldier Records, as well as artists such as The Pale White and Allie X with their campaigns.

What is your current job title?
My current title is Label Manager, UK working with some of our key labels in the UK like Erased Tapes, Fire Records, Gondwana and DeepMatter on strategy and releases.

What drew you to work with IDOL?
Alongside some of the great labels IDOL works with, the key draw for me was how fiercely independent IDOL is and their focus on quality over quantity.

Can you share a personal anecdote or hobby that you’re particularly passionate about?
Being a big book reader I’ve recently got into collecting special edition books, specifically sprayed edges books. The centerpiece of my collection is a signed copy of Anne Rice’s Prince Lestat.

What’s your latest IDOL musical discovery?
Having a personal passion for Rock music I was happy to learn that IDOL works with some great female fronted rock bands like Sprints.

What did you do before joining IDOL?
I was a student at Essec Business School, graduated from my Master in Management and specialized in the entertainment industry. I had the opportunity to work in music through different jobs: as an editor in a couple of media like Interlude, and as a project manager in a label, Play Two.

What is your current job title?
I am Royalties Manager within the accounting team. I make sure that our artists earn their royalties every month, depending on their sales (physical and digital). We act as an intermediary between different partners that send us sales reports, which we verify and share with our labels.

What drew you to work with IDOL?
I am passionate about rap, and independence has always been an important value among the rappers that I have listened to over the years. Moreover, IDOL works with prestigious labels that produce quality music such as 3.14, 75ème Session and Triple 4 Gear.

Can you share a personal anecdote or hobby that you’re particularly passionate about?
I have been playing rugby since I was seven years old. It is a passion that has accompanied me all along through my childhood, and I play in Vincennes today.

What’s your latest IDOL musical discovery?
The latest album by Erick the Architect, I’ve Never Been Here Before.