TOM TREUMUTH

Tom Treumuth possesses hands-on experience in the music industry, encompassing virtually every aspect of the business. Over his career, Treumuth has been involved in A&R signing acts to RCA/BMG (USA), record company ownership (Hypnotic Records), recording studio ownership, marketing, promotion, advertising, musicianship and songwriting (signed as a writer to RCA/BMG), artist management, manufacturing, concert promotion and booking, retail distribution, record production (10 Gold and Platinum albums), and domestic/international licensing of music CD’s and DVD’s. Read below for more details.

A graduate of the Music Production program at Fanshawe College (London, ON), Treumuth formed his own band, TRUE MYTH, whose debut album was co-produced by Treumuth and legendary producer JACK RICHARDSON (Guess Who, Bob Seger). The debut was released internationally on Warner Music and established Treumuth as a musician, songwriter, arranger and producer.

Treumuth quickly began notching up production credits with his work on debut hit albums for Warner’s HONEYMOON SUITE (now 4x Platinum) and Capitol/EMI’s HELIX (2x Platinum). Both albums were nominated for Album of the Year at the Juno Awards and achieved high sales positions on the Billboard chart in the United States. Other production work included two additional HELIX albums (both achieved Platinum status), the SPOONS (Polygram US), DARKROOM (Warner), THE DEADBEAT HONEYMOONERS (Anthem), SMASH PALACE (CBS USA), AUTOGRAPH (RCA USA) as well as the discovery and development of GORD PETERSON/INDIO, (see below) who was subsequently signed to A&M (USA).

Due to his skill in discovering and producing new talent, Treumuth was subsequently appointed as A&R representative for RCA RECORDS (New York) by president Bob Buziak. He was also given his own production company, HYPNOTIC, through which to find and develop talent. One of Treumuth’s discoveries was hard rock act GYPSY ROSE, which he co-managed with GENE SIMMONS (KISS). Treumuth’s success also as co-producer and co-writer for GYPSY ROSE resulted in a position as writer with BMG Music Publishing. Another of Treumuth’s discoveries, the BREIT BROTHERS, featured whiz guitarist Kevin Breit, who toured and recorded with Norah Jones as her lead guitarist. Treumuth was also involved in signing the COWBOY JUNKIES during his tenure at RCA Records in the USA. Treumuth’s name as a producer has graced the credits of close to 2 million records sold worldwide.

To meet the increasing demand for his production work, Treumuth opened Hypnotic Studios in downtown Toronto. He subsequently formed Hypnotic Records as an outlet for his production efforts, which was distributed by A&M/Polygram in Canada. Through Hypnotic, Treumuth discovered, produced and orchestrated worldwide success for BIG SUGAR, which culminated in platinum sales in Canada and international success through SILVERTONE/RCA. BIG SUGAR was awarded a Dutch Grammy Award in Holland for its debut album, produced by Treumuth. Also through Hypnotic Records, Treumuth compiled two dance compilations – one featuring material and mixes by BARRY HARRIS, who later became the No. #1 dance mixer in the world as “Thunderpuss”. Treumuth also licensed exclusive rights to the ICHIBAN label from Atlanta, which resulted in the national #1 hit “WHOOT THERE IT IS”.

Hypnotic quickly earned a reputation as one of Canada’s best independent labels by successfully releasing product in Canada and then licensing the albums to foreign territories for artists such as VOIVOD, LOOK PEOPLE, ANNIHILATOR, SONS OF OTIS, RAZOR, HEAVEN’S CRY, ANVIL ( Hypnotic released 4 albums in Canada !!!!, check out the rave reviews re the Anvil DVD documentary which is a worldwide smash hit), OBLIVEON, KATAKLYSM, and blues guitarist PHILIP SAYCE (now playing with Melissa Etheridge). Hypnotic’s emerging success resulted in a new deal with Universal Music, which paid off for both parties when world beat punk artists GRIMSKUNK sold over 25,000 copies of the album “Fieldtrip” under the Hypnotic/Universal partnership.

Seeking more independence, Treumuth then established his own Canada-wide distribution network called TNT Distribution and immediately picked up music DVD company MUSIC VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS (USA) as an exclusive client. Following TNT’s major success with MVD, Tom then released the successful North American DVD for Finnish goth act NIGHTWISH. Sales exceeded 20,000 copies across North America as a result of the band’s popularity and forthcoming record deal with Roadrunner/Universal.

In order to acquire more control over the manufacturing of CD and DVD product, Treumuth then began a long-standing partnership with Magnetic Air Production (based out of Lewiston, New York) in the business of record manufacturing. This successful partnership has resulted in such well-known clients as TOYOTA, WYNTON MARSALIS, Toronto Jazz Station FM 91.1, CHERRY LANE MUSIC PUBLISHING (for an Elvis Presley compilation), THE HARRIS INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS and LIVE TOUR ARTISTS.

Eager to return to artist management, Treumuth resurrected Hypnotic Management Inc. in 2001. Treumuth’s work with his first client KAZZER resulted in him orchestrating a major US deal with EPIC/SONY and the release of KAZZER’s album, “Go for Broke” in 12 international territories. During this time, Treumuth managed KAZZER in conjunction with Los Angeles-based Handprint Entertainment (Jennifer Lopez, Red Hot Chili Peppers). The album’s hit single, “Pedal to the Metal” was featured in blockbuster film The Italian Job, Fox Searchlight film Catch that Kid and hit television show Malcolm in the Middle. The single was also licensed to various video games and featured at numerous large scale sporting events worldwide.

Treumuth then accepted an appointment as director of A&R and international licensing for LINUS Entertainment in 2004. As A&R director, Treumuth signed KAZZER to his sophomore record, co-managed JUNO award winner jazz diva Sophie Milman and produced the debut album of rock outfit, EVERYTHING AT ONCE which got rave reviews across Europe in the metal scene.

Treumuth departed LINUS in 2005 to assume full-time management duties for HONEYMOON SUITE and return to his first love – record production. The administration for the Hypnotic Records back catalogue (which is comprised of 18 releases) is now handled worldwide by Linus/Universal.

In 2007, Treumuth also managed and orchestrated the first American tour in 17 years for former USA MCA platinum act STEELHEART, featuring Miljenko Matijevic. (who performed the singing for Mark Wahlberg in the Hollywood film Rock Star). A documentary on his life is now in the works and Miljenko is currently the new lead singer for the DOORS.

GORD PETERSON

A song by Treumuth’s early discovery, GORD PETERSON (released as INDIO by Columbia US) was covered recently by EDDIE VEDDER (Pearl Jam) on the soundtrack of the blockbuster film, Into the Wild, directed by SEAN PENN. The song, “Hard Sun”, was released as the first single off the soundtrack and it became a radio hit helping promote the new solo/soundtrack album for Eddie Vedder.

ANVIL

Another one of Tom’s many associations finally became an overnight success last year as Anvil who Tom distributed via his Hypnotic label in Canada finally received their recognition via a stunning documentary which aired everywhere in the world and sold major quantities at retail. Tom released 5 Anvil albums in Canada and also secured their record deal with Japan. Anvil playing a massive concert in Japan in the ending of the documentary is the pinnacle of their successful climb to the top of the metal world. Tom is thanked by Anvil for his help in their book.

The following are Tom’s most recent productions:

STONE RIVER

With major radio achieved in Canada with stations like 97.7 putting the band into regular rotation and excellent reviews and radio play coming in from Europe, the success of their debut album titled VALLEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES has set up a great future for Stone River. They are currently working on a tour of Europe.

MELISSA-BEL

Her debut album features guitarist Sean Ashby from Sarah McLachlan who also co - wrote 3 songs. The album titled BRAVE was released in Europe in mid Nov 2009 on fallensky/E1 Music. The debut album received excellent reviews in many major magazines comparing some of Melissa’s songs and singing to a young Janis Joplin. With her impressive radio and press success she just recently completed her first tour of Germany sponsored by one of Germany’s biggest magazines and an online company. She is returning again for an extensive tour this fall taking in other countries as well this time.

The JOYS

The initial independently released EP (Produced by Tom) achieved certified GOLD status in Canada! Tom also co-wrote 4 songs with the band.

The full album was released in 2008 via the E1 Music label. The video for the single Storm was spun constantly across Canada on all Pizza Pizza in store screens and the band tour Canada and the US extensively to promote the album. This recording and touring was also supported by FACTOR.

HARM

In other production news Tom also recently produced the new Honeymoon Suite album titled Clifton Hill which reunited him with the band. His production on their debut album is now 4 x Platinum in Canada. The new album was released in late 2008 in Europe and Japan on the prestigious Frontiers label. Tom also arranged for the band to sign with the E1 Music label for North America. The album was released in late 2008 with significant airplay occurring across the country for the debut single “Tired o waiting”.

Tom is currently completing his work as executive producer for the Honeymoon Suite Best of DVD which should see a release sometime in 2010. This will include footage from their concert performance last summer in Quebec City where in front of 40,000 party revelers they received two standing ovations.

Tom is also an agent and part of the staff at Canadian Classic Rock where he is involved in booking acts into theatres, clubs, casinos, fairs and festivals. Some of the acts Tom books are Honeymoon Suite, the Spoons, The Real Divas featuring Bill King and his Trio and acts from the USA such as Night Ranger, Edgar Winter, The Beach Boys, Dennis DeYoung (Styx) and many others too numerous to mention.