David Wood [with Neil Claxton] is the co-founder, co-director and thirty-percent shareholder of Faith & Hope Records Limited which was established in 1997. In 2002, David (chief-executive officer) and Neil (head of A&R) were joined by Doug D’Arcy – the former president of Chrysalis Records International and former director of Chrysalis Group Limited – as an equal equity shareholder.
Through good stewardship, their Manchester based music business had become the “the most successful label in the city” [Manchester Evening News] by 2004 and the company was featured in a label profile in The Independent national newspaper in 2008.
Although very much a true British independent music company – that includes a label, publishing and synchronisation arms – Faith & Hope formed a pivotal part of the Manchester music scene through their visionary A&R and business skills, to sign tracks that featured artistes that were – or would become – household names.
Faith & Hope were behind tracks that featured artistes including: Mint Royale, Duffy, Lauren Laverne, Pos (from De La Soul), Prince Buster, Stone Roses, George Michael, Andy Kim, Stephen Fretwell, Jez Williams, Damien Jurado, Morning Runner, Clodagh Rodgers (to name but a few) and their string of chart hits include: Singin’ In The Rain (#1 in 2008 and #20 in 2005), Gone Up in Flames (#39 in 2005), Blue Song (#35 in 2003), Sexiest Man In Jamaica (#20 in 2002), Don’t Falter (#15 in 2000), Tequilla: Mint Royale Shot Mix (#2 in 1999).
David negotiated for Faith & Hope catalogue to be used on major Hollywood Films (The Inbetweeners theme tune, Vanilla Sky, Serendipity, Get Carter re-make, National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: Party Liaison, Etc.); TV Programmes globally (Chuck, Alias, Spaced, The Priory theme tune, Mighty Boosh, Malcolm In The Middle, Shameless, Queer As Folk, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Etc.) and on the Adverts of World Leading Brands (Volkswagen, Hugo Boss, Mentos, Kellogg’s, Nokia, Vodaphone, SKY, Etc.)
Always aware of various music industry revenue streams, Faith & Hope artistes appeared live at festivals (Glastonbury, T In The Park, V Fest, Leeds & Reading, Etc.) and appeared on Compilation Albums (NOW That’s What I Call Music, Ministry of Sound Annual, Dance Nation Anthems, The Annual Ibiza, Pepsi Chart, 21st Century Disco, Etc.).
Although Faith & Hope doesn’t sign or release new material, today, they continue to work their back catalogue.
Find out more about David at David Wood or connect with him at LinkedIn.
Find out about: Neil Claxton – Doug D’Arcy – Amul Batra.