council partners entertainment
(dba the council) was formed by Howard Wulkan & Dave Watkins. With over three decades of combined experience in record label management and distribution, they have merged their unique skill sets to build a company that offers artists the opportunity to focus on their artistry full-time.

the council is an independent entertainment company with a roster that features established, seasoned artists with existing fan bases and young, emerging artists that will develop their careers over time. The company is working with a small group of seasoned industry producers that function as A&R resources (Russell Simins, "Bassy" Bob Brockmann and others) and will also offer up their unique talents when requested.

About Howard Wulkan
Mr. Wulkan comes from a long tenure in record labels and distribution, having worked for Universal Music, 75 Ark (Dan The Automator), ILS/PolyGram, Rawkus, Earache and Warner Music Group's Cordless Recordings under the tutelage of Jack Holzman, founder of Elektra Records. He has worked with artists as diverse as Nirvana, Andrea Bocelli, Weezer, Hole, Dan The Automator (Gorillaz, Deltron 3030, Dr. Octagon), Russell Simins (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Pierces, Karen O), DJ Shadow (solo and with James Lavelle as U.N.K.L.E.), Roni Size, Talvin Singh, Bill Laswell & Portishead.

He has owned and run his own consulting business & record label, resulting in millions of dollars in billing during his career. For the past three years, Howard has been working in music for advertising, occupying roles in business & creative development, music licensing for broadcast & interactive and most recently as a music supervisor with his boutique music company, HSW Music.

About Dave Watkins
Shortly after graduating from Arizona State University in 1990, Mr. Watkins began working for Impact Music, a small regional distribution company in Phoenix, Arizona. After learning everything he could from this experience, he eventually moved to New York City in 1997 to start his own distribution company called Studio Distribution.

Studio Distribution was largely responsible for spearheading the US development of the burgeoning dance/club genres rapidly gaining popularity in Europe and UK. The company went from shipping 3,000 units a month to averaging 100,000 units a month, boasting annual revenues of 7.5-10 million dollars within the first three years. The company grew from two employees to 30 during this time and Watkins personally guided the development, sales and management of the business through February 2006. Studio Distribution represented releases from some of the world's most popular DJ's (Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha & Digweed, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Deep Dish, LTJ Bukem, Aphrodite and Tiesto) as well as hip hop luminaries Guru (Gang Starr, Jazzmatazz), J-Dilla, Prince Paul, Sadat X, Masta Ace, DJ Premier and many others.

council partners entertainment
(dba the council) was formed by Howard Wulkan & Dave Watkins. With over three decades of combined experience in record label management and distribution, they have merged their unique skill sets to build a company that offers artists the opportunity to focus on their artistry full-time.

the council is an independent entertainment company with a roster that features established, seasoned artists with existing fan bases and young, emerging artists that will develop their careers over time. The company is working with a small group of seasoned industry producers that function as A&R resources (Russell Simins, "Bassy" Bob Brockmann and others) and will also offer up their unique talents when requested.

About Howard Wulkan
Mr. Wulkan comes from a long tenure in record labels and distribution, having worked for Universal Music, 75 Ark (Dan The Automator), ILS/PolyGram, Rawkus, Earache and Warner Music Group's Cordless Recordings under the tutelage of Jack Holzman, founder of Elektra Records. He has worked with artists as diverse as Nirvana, Andrea Bocelli, Weezer, Hole, Dan The Automator (Gorillaz, Deltron 3030, Dr. Octagon), Russell Simins (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, The Pierces, Karen O), DJ Shadow (solo and with James Lavelle as U.N.K.L.E.), Roni Size, Talvin Singh, Bill Laswell & Portishead.

He has owned and run his own consulting business & record label, resulting in millions of dollars in billing during his career. For the past three years, Howard has been working in music for advertising, occupying roles in business & creative development, music licensing for broadcast & interactive and most recently as a music supervisor with his boutique music company, HSW Music.

About Dave Watkins
Shortly after graduating from Arizona State University in 1990, Mr. Watkins began working for Impact Music, a small regional distribution company in Phoenix, Arizona. After learning everything he could from this experience, he eventually moved to New York City in 1997 to start his own distribution company called Studio Distribution.

Studio Distribution was largely responsible for spearheading the US development of the burgeoning dance/club genres rapidly gaining popularity in Europe and UK. The company went from shipping 3,000 units a month to averaging 100,000 units a month, boasting annual revenues of 7.5-10 million dollars within the first three years. The company grew from two employees to 30 during this time and Watkins personally guided the development, sales and management of the business through February 2006. Studio Distribution represented releases from some of the world's most popular DJ's (Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha & Digweed, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Deep Dish, LTJ Bukem, Aphrodite and Tiesto) as well as hip hop luminaries Guru (Gang Starr, Jazzmatazz), J-Dilla, Prince Paul, Sadat X, Masta Ace, DJ Premier and many others.