Former SoundOn Head of A&R for EMEA, Josh Mateer, has officially launched Actual Records, a new independent record label headquartered in London with a growing presence in Los Angeles and Berlin.
Built with a mission to identify, develop, and launch globally scalable artists, Actual Records aims to combine modern A&R expertise with strategic artist development, providing emerging talent with the resources, creative direction, and industry support needed to build sustainable international careers.
The label plans to expand its roster throughout 2026, with a focus on discovering artists who demonstrate strong creative identity, cultural relevance, and global potential. Actual Records’ first signing is British dance music act Off Licence, whose debut single “Bones” featuring vocalist plus44 has already gained significant momentum, generating close to one million streams within the first few weeks of release.
The launch of Actual Records marks the next chapter in Josh Mateer’s career, following more than a decade of experience across leading global music companies. Before founding Actual Records, Mateer spent four years at TikTok, where he built and led the A&R strategy for SoundOn EMEA, helping shape the platform’s artist development efforts across the region.
During his time at SoundOn, Mateer played a key role in supporting the growth and development of artists, including WizTheMc, Nxdia, Niklas Dee, Disco Lines, LeoStayTrill, Charlie Jeer, and more, while helping bridge the gap between emerging talent, digital platforms, and global audiences.
Before joining TikTok, Mateer held roles across major record labels, gaining extensive experience in A&R, artist marketing, and music strategy. His transition into launching Actual Records reflects the evolution of the modern music business, where independent labels are increasingly creating new pathways for artists through agile strategies, cultural insight, and long-term development.
Speaking on the launch, Mateer said:
“Actual Records was created with a clear purpose: to find exceptional artists early, help them develop their vision, and build careers that can resonate globally. The industry continues to change, and we want to create a label that combines world-class A&R with a genuine commitment to artist growth.”
With its first signing already showing strong early momentum, Actual Records is positioned as a new player in the global independent music landscape, with ambitions to discover and develop the next generation of international artists.
About Actual Records
Actual Records is an independent record label founded by Josh Mateer, focused on identifying, developing, and launching globally scalable artists. With operations across London, Los Angeles, and Berlin, the label combines modern A&R, strategic marketing, and artist-first development to build sustainable careers in music.
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