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Leading U.K. Indies Distiller Records & Speedy Wunderground Launch Label Partnership With New Heartworms Material
UK independent labels Distiller Records and Speedy Wunderground have formed a partnership, starting with a new Heartworms single. The arrangement pairs Distiller’s marketing, distribution and operational resources with Speedy’s creative control, aiming to give its artists broader support while preserving the label’s approach to A&R and production.
Speedy Wunderground, founded by producer Dan Carey, has released early work by acts including Black Country, New Road, Squid, Black Midi and English Teacher. Distiller recently secured its first UK No. 1 album with Blossoms’ Songs From the Wedding Cake. Heartworms, the project of Josephine Orme, released her debut album in 2025; it reached No. 9 on the UK Independent Albums Chart, and she is due to support Interpol and Bloc Party on their UK and European tour from 20 November.
In short
- Distiller and Speedy Wunderground have partnered.
- The deal begins with a Heartworms single.
- Speedy retains creative control while gaining Distiller’s resources.
Explained simply
Independent record labels release music outside the major label groups, often working with smaller teams and budgets. Speedy Wunderground, founded by producer Dan Carey, has built a profile by releasing early work from acts including Squid, Black Midi and English Teacher; Distiller Records has a track record in marketing and distributing music, including for Blossoms.
Heartworms is the music project of Josephine Orme, whose debut album came out in 2025. The labels’ arrangement combines Distiller’s business and distribution support with Speedy’s role in choosing and producing music, a model that may help independent labels reach wider audiences while keeping their own creative direction.
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