Ava Max has signed with Independent Artist Group (IAG) for representation, and Grimes has added new management through SANA and People First Projects, marking a week of notable artist signings across agencies, management firms and labels.
Agency and management moves
- Ava Max, now fully independent after leaving Atlantic Records, signed with Jeremy Holgersen, Paul O’Loughlin, Max Rosenfield, Jarred Arfa and Megan White of IAG. Her single “Kill It Queen” arrived earlier this year through Artist Partner Group as her first release as an independent artist.
- Grimes has teamed with Lucas Thomashow of SANA and Ryan Sullivan of People First Projects for management, joining day-to-day manager Jesse Allen at Dean St Co. The Canadian electronic and pop artist’s forthcoming album Psy Opera was announced in April as nearing release.
- Bob Dylan moved from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to WME (William Morris Endeavor) for North American representation, signing with Robby Fraser. The 85-year-old Nobel laureate is currently on his Rough and Rowdy Ways US tour.
- Passion Pit, formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, twenty years ago, signed with Pete Galli at Red Light Management. The band’s anniversary run ended with two sold-out nights at the Bellweather in Los Angeles, and the City of Boston declared July 24 as Passion Pit Day. The group is now working on its first album in a decade.
Label signings and dual deals
- Hans Williams, a New Orleans indie-folk and soul singer-songwriter, signed a dual deal with Giant Music for records and Camp Music Management, where Riley Kirkwood and Logan Kearns will guide him. Williams has accumulated more than 200 million global streams and has a debut album set for November 2026 plus an extensive touring schedule.
- Maggie Antone, a Nashville singer-songwriter, joined Island Records. Her 2024 debut album Rhinestoned was released on her own Big Love imprint, and lead single “Johnny Moonshine” has passed 12 million Spotify streams. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024 and played Austin City Limits (ACL) Fest and Windy City Smokeout in 2025.
