Former SoundOn A&R Head Josh Mateer Launches Actual Records

Former SoundOn Head of A&R Josh Mateer has launched Actual Records, a new London-headquartered record label with a presence in Los Angeles and Berlin.

The mission:

• Actual Records will focus on identifying and launching globally scalable artists.

• It will expand its roster throughout 2026.

Debut signing:

• Actual Records’ first signing is British dance music act Off Licence.

• The outfit’s debut single, “Bones” (featuring vocalist plus44), has generated close to 1 million streams within the first few weeks of its release.

Backstory:

• Mateer boasts more than a decade of experience across major record labels.

• He also spent four years at TikTok, where he built and led the A&R strategy for SoundOn EMEA.

• There he played a key role in developing artists such as WizTheMc, Nxdia, Niklas Dee, Disco Lines, LeoStayTrill, Charlie Jeer, and more.