Rixton & More Selected for Inaugural Class of American Express UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence

Today, American Express announced the launch of its newest music program, American Express UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence. Building off the success of American Express UNSTAGED, #AmexAIR will tell the stories of three artists and invite fans to discover, connect with and support them on their creative journey. Artists selected for the program will also receive tools and resources to help them introduce their music to new fans around the world from some of American Express' partners from within the music industry.

The artists participating in this first installment of American Express UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence are:

BETTY WHO debuted at #2 on the iTunes Pop Chart with her first album 'Take Me When You Go.' TIME named her One To Watch in 2014 and Billboard hailed her "shimmering tracks...and arresting pop textures." Her first single and fan favorite "Somebody Loves You" has garnered more than seven million streams and climbing.

MARY LAMBERT is a Seattle-based singer-songwriter and spoken word artist, who co-wrote and sang on the Grammy nominated song "Same Love." Lambert's debut album, "Heart On My Sleeve" was released by Capitol Records on October 14, 2014 and features the smash single "Secrets." She is currently on a national tour in support of the record.

RIXTON is a British band whose debut "Me And My Broken Heart" EP featuring their multi-platinum hit single of the same title, climbed to No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart with the official video racking up over 32 million views across Vevo. The band has been featured as an MTV 2014 "Artist To Watch" and a Vevo LIFT artist, and "Me And My Broken Heart" was chosen as an iTunes Single of the Week. Hailing from Manchester, Rixton are Jake Roche, (vocals/rhythm guitar), Danny Wilkin (bass/keys), Charley Bagnall (lead guitar), and Lewi Morgan (drums). Rixton recently released their follow up single "Wait on Me" and will release their debut album "Let The Road" on January 6th prior to setting out on a US tour in February.

Meet the artists below:

"At American Express, we've always prided ourselves on working with and helping music artists reach fans and our Card Members in creative, meaningful and memorable ways," said Deborah Curtis, vice president of entertainment and sports marketing at American Express. "We are thrilled to welcome these three incredibly talented and creative artists to the next evolution of our UNSTAGED platform. We want to help these artists reach more fans, cultivate their craft and grow their business, and at the same time bring incredible, digital music experiences to fans around the world."

Launched in the summer of 2010 in partnership with Vevo and YouTube, American Express UNSTAGED uses digital and social media innovation to connect fans to some of the most breakthrough artists in music in unexpected ways. American Express UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence will build off that legacy by connecting artists and fans through exclusive digital content and engagement opportunities. Beginning today, fans can join #AmexAIR to discover, support and propel these three artists through:

• Exclusive Digital Content: Fans can visit the American Express Unstaged YouTube page, amexunstaged.com/AIR, to enjoy a series of videos featuring all three artists that will tell the stories and inspiration behind the music.
• #AmexAIR Unlock: Fans can help these artists access some unique opportunities: taking over the Instagram account for Vevo, the world's leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, and an exclusive fan Q&A on the Billboard Twitter account. Fans can help unlock these special experiences for each of the three artists by mentioning the artist with #AmexAIR on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can visit amexunstaged.com/AIR to learn more and track how close the artists are to unlocking each opportunity.
• Live Performance Content Premiere: On October 20, 2014, the artists performed for an audience of American Express Card Members to celebrate the launch of American Express UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence. American Express will premiere footage from the exclusive live concert performances at amexunstaged.com/AIR, acrossVevo's web, mobile/tablet and TV apps and on Amex NOW, the brand's always-on television channel through select service provider and connected TV application available across Samsung and LG connected TVs, and IP-connected devices including Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The exclusive footage will be available for seven days following the premiere. The performances will be released:
  • Betty Who: 3pm ET on Tuesday, November 18
  • Mary Lambert: 3pm ET on Wednesday, November 19
  • Rixton: 3pm ET on Thursday, November 20

Following the premiere of concert performances, fans will be able to enjoy individual clips of select songs at amexunstaged.com/AIR, Vevo and Amex Now.

American Express also welcomed all three artists to the inaugural American Express UNSTAGED: Artists in Residence Summit. Leveraging American Express' deep relationships in the music and digital industries, these artists had access to insights and best practices to help introduce their music to legions of new fans and engage the loyalists already in their social sphere.

About American Express

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