Mom+Pop Music, a celebrated independent label founded by Michael Goldstone in 2008, has partnered with Virgin Music Group to help accelerate its growth. Known for its artist-centric model, Mom+Pop aims to offer musicians creative control and long-term support, unlike major labels. Over the past sixteen years, the label has become home to artists such as MGMT, Caamp, Del Water Gap, and Magdalena Bay, as well as newer acts like Mother Soki, After, Violent Vira, Galdive, The Kilans, Chaparelle, and Tiny Habits.
The partnership with Virgin Music Group, which serves as a global leader in supporting independent artists, marks a pivotal moment in Mom+Pop’s journey. Michael Goldstone and co-owner Thaddeus Rudd have shaped the label’s success by nurturing a roster that aligns with their vision of empowering musicians to thrive authentically and artistically. With this new collaboration, they are now poised to expand globally.
Virgin Music Group’s Co-CEOs, Nat Pastor and JT Myers, expressed their enthusiasm about the partnership, recognizing Mom+Pop’s significant role in shaping the independent music scene. “Goldie and Thaddeus’s vision for Mom+Pop reflects the same independent spirit and ambition that drives everything we do at Virgin Music Group,” they said. The executives also shared that Mom+Pop’s decision to collaborate with Virgin was a powerful endorsement of their shared ethos.
Goldstone echoed this sentiment, highlighting Virgin’s understanding of Mom+Pop’s need for flexibility and respect for its independence. “Thaddeus and I have worked with the Virgin team over the years, and that shared history, along with their entrepreneurial spirit, made this partnership a natural fit,” he shared.
Jacqueline Saturn, President of North America at Virgin Music Group, also acknowledged Goldstone’s impact on her career. She expressed her admiration for how he and Rudd have consistently broken independent artists with authenticity and passion.
Goldstone has an extensive history in A&R, having been involved in the careers of iconic acts like Pearl Jam, Cage The Elephant, Rage Against the Machine, and Regina Spektor. Under his guidance, Mom+Pop has helped elevate the careers of Grammy-nominated artists such as Courtney Barnett, Flume, and Tycho, as well as emerging talent like FKJ, Orion Sun, and underscores.
Notable releases from Mom+Pop include albums by Tegan and Sara, Sleater-Kinney, Tom Morello, Porter Robinson, and Beach Bunny, as well as hits like Flume’s “Never Be Like You” and Ashe’s “Moral of the Story,” both of which have garnered over 2 billion streams globally.
As part of their continued growth, Goldstone and Rudd launched PIPES Music in early 2025, a creative and digital agency focused on social media campaigns and content creation for Mom+Pop artists and beyond. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, the label continues to make waves in the music industry, consistently earning recognition from major outlets like Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The New York Times.
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