www.tinderboxmusic.com

Jon Delange began a career in music in 1985 when he purchased a 16-track recording studio from Minneapolis' own Prince. The following is a brief overview of his collective experiences and accomplishments.

Oarfin Records Inc., the small studio and label founded by DeLange in 1993, eventually purchased Minneapolis' 10,000 sq. ft. Metro Studios Complex in 1995. Under his direction as President, Oarfin Records grew to become not only the dominant recording facility in the region, but also its largest distributor and independent record label. In 1997 the label launched E Company, a Twin Cities booking agency, managing acts such as Shannon Curfman and Soul Asylum.

Recording Highlights- Platinum albums for Jonny Lang's "Lie to Me" and "Wander This World," Platinum recordings for Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and Christina Aguilera.

Label and Distribution Highlights- over 600 titles, vendor status with Best Buy Co. Musicland and Target Stores -Named Best Buy's National "Independent Model" in 1997.

Personal Achievement- a tiny upstart, Oarfin, began with Jon's original studio gear and a $20,000 loan - three years later it was grossing over a million dollars annually.

TinderboX Music Inc. Formed shortly after his departure from the label, TinderboX Music was to represent a shift away from big facilities and their equipment to concentrate on the intellectual properties that made them work. Jon continued as the company's representative for music licensing and as its major label liaison. Recently in Los Angeles TinderboX accepted an award from NMW Network (Gavin) naming them the "Album Mix Promoter of the Year." An Award TinderboX has again been nominated for in 2006.

Promotional Highlights- Many articles and reviews in the country's preeminent music publications, and numerous "Top 200" radio chartings. Extended promotional campaigns and touring support for groups such as Roger Clyne, Josh Rouse, Halloween Alaska, Camper Van Beethoven, Minibar, Rhymefest, Dropping Daylight, Ingrid Michelson and Jukebox Junkies and labels like The Telegraph Company, Ryko, V2, Epic, Psychopathic Records, Major Bob Music Group, Pitch-a-tent, Trampoline and Combustion. In the summer of 2002, TinderboX secured a contract with The American Composers Forum as the exclusive promoter of their flagship Jazz/World Label, Innova Records.

Distribution Highlights - Tinderbox'sNew Artist Direct, managed by Grant Flesland, has continued to fulfill major retail for stronger regional titles [e.g. Trampoline Records (Pete Yorn, Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers) and Marc Dauer (Jukebox Junkies)), Polara, Prince, Happy Apple, Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing) The Flops (Semisonic) and The Bad Plus] its true focus has become the independents. Publishing a quarterly catalog, New Artist Direct solicits 450 one-stops and indie retailers, in addition to servicing a burgeoning online ordering and fulfillment solution. Tinderbox additionally maintains small catalogs with Sony's RED, Navarre and UMD's Fontana.

Publishing and Licensing Highlights - In early 2002, Peter Lawton and Craig Wright signed on as exclusive staff writers to the publishing arm. Craig was since been tenured by HBO as a staff writer for their Six Feet Under series. In Craig's second season he was nominated for two Emmy Awards. TinderboX's television placements include scores of cuts annually at MTV Networks, ABC Family, VH1, USA Network, Lifetime Television, ETV!, Sony Pictures, Emerging Pictures, Oxygen Network, ESPN, Dawson's Creek, Bad Girls Club, The O.C., Party of Five, The Real World, Scrubs, Judging Amy, Living With Lohan, Six Feet Under, Gray's Anatomy, The Hills, ABC's Rock Star, Men In Trees,  My Super Sweet Sixteen, Beautiful People, One Room View, Six Degrees, and the signature ‘bad guy' music for ABC's animated series Beyblade. Since 1998, the publishing division has had a satellite office located on Eighteenth Ave on Music Row in Nashville.

No Alternative Records - No Alternative, originally an imprint of the Twin Cities infamous Twin/Tone Records (Soul Asylum, The Replacements) was sold by Kim Randle, its founder, along with its six-year catalog to Delange and partner Wes Schuck in 2000. The Label also made an investment in a mobile recording and CD production truck, Moving Records. Since partnering with DiscLive and captained by the aforementioned Wes Schuck, they have recorded tour dates with likes of The Dixie Chicks, Joan Osborne, The Pixies, The String Cheese Incident, The Kills and Death From Above 1979. In 2006 the "Disc Live" entity was sold to famed entrepreneur, Dallas Maverick's owner Mark Cuban.

Related Activities
Record Label Consultant
10 year participant Twin Cities Mentor Connection and Youth Intern Leadership Programs.