Firebird Music and Red Light Ventures are backing Leo33, an independent record label based in Nashville co-headed by industry veterans Katie Dean and Rachel Fontenot.

Fontenot, most recently VP of marketing and artist development at UMG Nashville, will oversee marketing and operations; Dean, the former MCA Nashville promotion chief, is in charge of promotion and artist development. Joining them are A&R execs Daniel Lee and Natalie Osborne.

“As the industry evolves, so does the role of the label,” Dean said. “We’re trying to build a model for the future—an entrepreneurial approach that combines the resources of a major with the agility and focus of an independent.”

Lee co-founded the label/publishing venture Altadena with the late busbee; Osborne was formerly with Downtown Music Publishing.

“The members of this team have experienced so many different facets of this industry – each has a unique perspective and passion,” Fontenot said.

The label will release more details in the coming weeks.

Firebird Music and Red Light Ventures are backing Leo33, an independent record label based in Nashville co-headed by industry veterans Katie Dean and Rachel Fontenot.

Fontenot, most recently VP of marketing and artist development at UMG Nashville, will oversee marketing and operations; Dean, the former MCA Nashville promotion chief, is in charge of promotion and artist development. Joining them are A&R execs Daniel Lee and Natalie Osborne.

“As the industry evolves, so does the role of the label,” Dean said. “We’re trying to build a model for the future—an entrepreneurial approach that combines the resources of a major with the agility and focus of an independent.”

Lee co-founded the label/publishing venture Altadena with the late busbee; Osborne was formerly with Downtown Music Publishing.

“The members of this team have experienced so many different facets of this industry – each has a unique perspective and passion,” Fontenot said.

The label will release more details in the coming weeks.