John Mayer is launching his own record label, Sob Rock Records, the singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso confirmed Thursday, partnering with Universal Music Group’s Mercury Records for the new venture.
The announcement for Sob Rock Records, named after Mayer’s most recent album, comes a day before Mayer’s upcoming single “Tom and Jerry” is set to release on Oct. 23.
“Working with Tyler Arnold and the talented team at Mercury Records has already proven to be a great partnership,” Mayer said in a statement. “The path from creative vision to execution has never been easier or more rewarding. I feel very inspired, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
In a statement, Arnold, Mercury’s chairman and CEO, said Mayer is “one of the greatest artists of all time, and I couldn’t be prouder to welcome him to Mercury Records.”
“We’re excited to be part of his next chapter and to partner with his label, Sob Rock Records, to help bring his creative vision to life,” Arnold said. Mayer joins a roster of heavy hitters at Mercury, which includes Noah Kahan and Morgan Wallen.
Sob Rock Records marks a momentous shift in Mayer’s career as Mayer departed Columbia Records — which signed him in the early 2000s and released every one of his albums thus far — back in 2022.
Earlier this year in a The Hollywood Reporter cover story pegged to Mayer being named one of the publication’s philanthropists of the year, Mayer confirmed he’s hard at work on his next record, saying that “I’m working on the studio, I’m working on that record, and, purposely, my tide has recessed a little bit from the world. I’m investing all my time and energy into making a record so that when I come back out, I’ll have something to really present the world.”
Next year is looking increasingly busy for Mayer, who will also play a run of dates at the Sphere in Las Vegas starting in April.