Starbucks Entertainment announced today that it will
release a CD of 15 original tracks by Starbucks partners (employees).
The first-of-its-kind compilation is the result of a company-wide
contest that invited Starbucks partners to submit original solo or
band recordings. “Off the Clock Vol. 1: New Music from Up & Coming
Starbucks Artists” will be available exclusively at Starbucks
Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada beginning April 3,
2007. This newest venture continues Starbucks unwavering support of
new talent — in this case, from within its own family of partners.”Off the Clock Vol. 1: New Music from Up & Coming Starbucks
Artists” is the first installment in an innovative Partner Music
Contest series. Originally announced in the fall of 2006, the effort
was widely embraced by Starbucks partners and within weeks the
Entertainment team was flooded with submissions. More than 800
original recordings from solo artists and bands were submitted for
consideration. Fifteen recordings were chosen and the result is an
exceptional, must-hear album featuring songs that rank with some of
the best new music today.
“When we began listening to the submissions, we were blown away at
the quality of music we discovered among our colleagues. These
Starbucks partners are amazing musicians with great songs that deserve
to be heard,” said Ken Lombard, president Starbucks Entertainment.
“‘Off the Clock’ is a terrific collection of undiscovered talent.”
The 15 tracks featured on “Off the Clock” weave an impressive
tapestry of modern music, with styles that blend and embrace folk,
rock, pop, jazz and alternative rock. The artists were chosen from
nearly every region in the United States as well as a partner band
from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Starbucks Entertainment is building an impressive track record of
offering the best quality music to its customers, including recent
releases by Lily Allen, The Shins, The Decemberists and Neko Case to
name a few. Starbucks Entertainment has also created an innovative new
paradigm for breaking emerging talent such as Antigone Rising, Sonya
Kitchell, Low Stars and CeU with its Starbucks Hear Music(TM) Debut CD
series. In their tireless pursuit of fresh new talent, Starbucks did
not overlook their most valuable asset: the passionate people who
connect with customers every day.
Starbucks Entertainment is able to leverage its unique platform,
including a footprint of more than 6,500 locations across the U.S. and
Canada and strong customer loyalty, to effectively introduce its
customers to emerging artists.
Starbucks will support “Off the Clock” with in-store play,
in-store signage and point-of-purchase displays in all
Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada. Starbucks also will
utilize its relationship with XM Satellite Radio to offer special “Off
the Clock” programming on Starbucks Hear Music(TM) Channel 75 on XM
Satellite Radio.
Starbucks is an organization of passionate, talented partners who
have rich lives both inside and outside of the workplace. Starbucks
Entertainment chose the title “Off the Clock” in honor of the spirit
of creativity and passion that partners carry with them both on and
“Off the Clock.”
“Off the Clock Vol. 1: New Music from Up & Coming Starbucks
Artists” will be available exclusively at Starbucks Company-operated
locations, online at Starbucks.com and on the Starbucks
Entertainment area on iTunes beginning April 3, 2007. Proceeds from
the sale of the CD will support a $25,000 donation to City at Peace, a
nationally-recognized non-profit organization that empowers teenagers
to create safe, healthy and peaceful lives and communities, using the
performing arts as a vehicle to develop the next generation of leaders
for change.