The Vancouver-based company is linking its song-first A&R model with Warner Music Group’s ADA Benelux to move dance records from development to international release.
Reliant Music has lined up a new distribution and label-services partnership with ADA Benelux, the independent arm of Warner Music Group, as it looks to push its dance records beyond its core markets.
From song development to international release
The deal, announced Tuesday, connects Reliant’s A&R and artist development operation with ADA’s distribution and label infrastructure. Reliant said the partnership is designed to support records from early creative development through international release and growth.
That fits the company’s pitch. Reliant calls itself a “song-first” A&R, song management, and independent dance music business, built around linking North American pop hit-making with European dance A&R. It works selectively with artists, producers, and songwriters, shaping songs and collaborations around what each record needs.
Reliant is led by John Dexter and Adrian Lock in North America, with Mischa Daniëls serving as VP of A&R for Europe. The company said its track record includes Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and Loud Luxury’s “Body,” along with projects involving Armin van Buuren, Timmy Trumpet, KSHMR, R3HAB, Nicky Romero, W&W, Fedde Le Grand, and NERVO.
Reliant’s next growth step
Dexter said the company was built on the idea that “great records still start with great songs.” He said Reliant wants to give artists, songwriters and producers “real creative attention” and flexible ways of working based on what each record needs.
“Our partnership with ADA allows us to maintain that focused, independent approach while creating opportunities to scale successful records internationally,” Dexter said.
Reliant described the deal as its next phase of international growth. The company was founded in 2012 and expanded into Europe in 2021 with an Amsterdam office. It is headquartered in Vancouver and also operates in Toronto, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Reliant said it recently opened a creative hub inside Vancouver’s Armoury Studios.
Dexter has previously said he has written, produced, or A&R’d 13 Top 10 singles and 17 Top 40 hits. Daniëls joined Reliant after serving as Creative Music Director at Armada Music, where he signed Loud Luxury and released “Body,” the duo’s breakthrough single. At Armada, he also handled A&R for acts including Afrojack.
ADA Benelux backs independent labels
ADA Benelux is Warner Music’s independent distribution division for the Benelux region. Since launching in 2020, it has signed a series of independent labels and artists, including Big Top Amsterdam, which worked on Gamper & Dadoni’s “Bittersweet Symphony.”
Pim Lauwerier, head of ADA Benelux, said the company was proud to be working with Reliant Music and described the team as skilled professionals with a strong feel for turning a demo into a hit record.
“We’re confident this partnership has even bigger achievements ahead of us, and we can’t wait to celebrate new successes together,” Lauwerier said.
ADA was founded in 1993 as a joint venture involving Warner Music Group and Restless Records. It now serves as Warner’s independent distribution and artist services division across multiple international markets. For Reliant, the tie-up gives its dance-focused roster a bigger route to market without changing the company’s independent setup.
