YouTube Star Connor Franta Forms Label, Powered By Fellow Social Tastemakers
Now, the 16-year-old -- who still posts regularly to his YouTube channel -- has ventured into the music world, after signing a deal with the label Heard Well (co-founded by fellow YouTube star Connor Franta) to release a personally curated album titled Landscapes: A Music Compilation by Lohanthony. The set -- which features acts like Little Boots, Gallant and Chloe Martini -- debuts at No. 3 on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart dated Oct. 3, and also bows at No. 12 on the Compilation Albums tally. It sold a little over 1,000 copies in the week ending Sept. 17, according to Nielsen Music.
Heard Well claims it is the "first music label powered by social tastemakers," and has so far only signed YouTubers with millions of followers. Franta launched the label in July with talent manager Andrew Graham and entrepreneur Jeremy Wineberg. A month later, Franta’s latest compilation, Common Culture 3, reached No. 3 on the Compilation Albums chart.
Quintal says putting his album together “was such a fun process. Choosing the tracks in the compilation was probably the easiest thing I've ever done. I always find music every week," Quintal says. "I already had a huge, huge folder of artists that I wanted to put a spotlight on, so I narrowed it down to 30 different artists, different songs, different albums."
Quintal says that he wanted to make sure every song was uplifting and positive before it made the final album. He said his followers appreciate his taste of music and love how he is shedding light on artists who deserve attention.
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"Anthony has always had great taste in music," Graham says. "His brand has been welded to pop culture and music since the beginning. It was a no-brainer to bring Anthony's unique taste in sort of an alliance with Heard Well. The compilation is so hot."
