Mic Drop: W Hotels Makes Music with Perfume Genius to Benefit Immigration Equality

New Exclusive Cover and Music Video, “Not For Me” Drops Today as W Records Partners with Matador Recording Artist, Perfume Genius

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W Hotels Worldwide announced last week that the second phase of their newest music initiative, W Records, would feature Matador recording artist, Perfume Genius. Now track two and the accompanying music video with the rising star is available everywhere. “Not For Me,” is Perfume Genius’ cover of an emotional Bobby Darin song. The music video serves as Perfume Genius lead-singer Mike Hadreas’ directorial debut. "It was very easy to see the visual world this song lives in,” said Hadreas. “I could feel it even in the beginning of putting the music together. I imagined something warm and painterly but wrapped in alien gauze. Directing the video myself brought the song closer to my heart.” “Not for Me,” follows last week’s release of the single “Alan (rework).” Both tracks are now available everywhere.

W Records is once again reaching beyond the music to support a cause that both the W brand and artist hold dear. All W Hotels proceeds from the streaming of Perfume Genius’ exclusive tracks with W Records will benefit Immigration Equality, the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization. Immigration Equality was hand-picked by Perfume Genius as his charity of choice. The organization represents and advocates for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status.

“Immigration Equality is doing important work providing free legal services for LGBTQ and HIV-positive individuals that are seeking asylum in the U.S. – it’s a hugely important cause to me, especially now,” said Perfume Genius. “Like many generations before us, we still have many challenges facing us here in America, but also around the world. In over 80 countries being LGBTQ is still criminalized. It is vital that we as a nation and as a global community continue to fiercely support those that keep us moving forward. Everyone deserves a chance to be safe and free, it is a human right.”

Marriott International officially partnered with Immigration Equality in January 2018 to fund and support the “LGBTQH Asylum Program” which provides expert legal representation for vulnerable individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. who have fled their home country for fear of persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Marriott International supports Immigration Equality as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility platform, Serve 360 (#serve360); the partnership is one way that the company pursues its global promise to Welcome All and Advance Human Rights.

“Working with Perfume Genius and Immigration Equality is an incredible opportunity to unite our passions for music and LGBTQ+ equality around the world,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Since the brand’s inception we have been pushing the conversation around equality, visibility and inclusion. From our global Pride celebrations to our QUEER ME OUT speaking panels and LGBTQ+ guides for worldwide destinations we love, we are proud to be continuing the conversation, which is far from over. It’s a true honor to be able to continue that work through our newest endeavor in the music space, W Records.”

Both Perfume Genius tracks were recorded at the W Sound Suite at W Seattle - Perfume Genius’ (Mike Hadreas’) hometown. Additional tracking took place at the legendary Robert Lang Studio in Shoreline, Washington where Nirvana made their last record. For “Alan (Rework),” Hadreas brought in an all-female string section.

Listen to these W Records Releases:
Amber Mark - “ High On Your Love”
Amber Mark - “ Can You Hear Me (ReWork)”
Perfume Genius - “ Alan (Rework)”

About W Records
W Records is a record label and resource for artists selected by W Hotels and their music industry partners. From recording to release, W Records supports artists through every step of development, providing recording space, video shoot locations, mixing and mastering and finally, distribution of the new sound via live performances, streaming and vinyl production. Tracks for W Records are recorded, naturally, in W Sound Suites (the brand's signature, on-site recording studios) with four rising artists stepping up to the mic over the next year. Tracks from each artist will be released through W Records both digitally and via limited edition runs of vinyl which will be gifted to tastemakers, DJs and W fans as a throwback way to enjoy new/next music.

Production Notes
W Records is supporting emerging artists, and artists on the tipping point of worldwide fame with production, distribution, a fully-produced music video and a live performance. Each artist will lay down tracks in a W Sound Suite (either W Hollywood, W Barcelona, W Bali or W Seattle) and record a cover as well as an original track. Once the tracks are mixed and mastered, W will release 500 copies of limited-edition vinyl which will be sent to DJs, tastemakers as well as music-loving SPG/Marriott Rewards members. Each W Records artist will film a music video to accompany the release of his or her W-exclusive tracks. It will all culminate in an intimate live set for W guests and fans.

The Liner Notes
The W brand's longstanding relationships with music industry partners, promoters, media and influencers will help W Records artists cut through an overcrowded market. Artists will also get direct exposure to more than 120 million members of Marriott International's loyalty programs, providing a huge audience from the start. W Records is in part overseen by Giant Step, the marketing agency that has created award-winning campaigns for brands like Intel, Samsung and ABSOLUT. Like W, Giant Step has a true passion for music and is a recognized brand within the industry having worked with many notable artists over the years including Amy Winehouse, Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga and Daft Punk. The W Records team and capabilities are similar to a small but powerful independent label. W Records is supported by both in-house and music-centric PR teams between THINK PR (W brand) and Grandstand Media, non-commercial radio promotion from co-sign, plus Giant Step's marketing team adding DJ, tastemaker and influencer marketing to the program's scope. Global distribution is provided by AWAL (Tom Misch, 3LAU) which connects W Records with audiences through top streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Deezer. This combination of a nimble label team with the marketing power of W Hotels and Marriott International creates a unique and exciting prospect for the artists working with W Records to amplify their sound on a global scale.

Stay tuned for the next artist announcement from W Records. In the meantime, please visit W Hotels online to learn more about W and music, and follow along on social @WHotels. To book your own recording session at a W Sound Suite, visit: W Bali, W Barcelona, W Hollywood, W Seattle.

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About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for nearly two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with over 50 hotels, W defies expectations and breaks the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests' lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand's provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand's super-charged energy celebrates guests' endless appetite to discover what's new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in the company's award-winning loyalty programs - Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable members to earn points toward free hotel stays, achieve Elite status faster than ever, and seamlessly book or redeem points for stays throughout our loyalty portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 129 countries & territories. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit members.marriott.com.

About Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
Marriott International's award-winning loyalty programs - Marriott Rewards, SPG, and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards - unite 29 unique and iconic global brands and over 6,700 distinctive properties in 129 countries and territories around the world, providing members with endless inspiration to travel the world. The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable more 120 million members to earn points toward free hotel stays, and achieve Elite status faster than ever, seamlessly and easily book or redeem points for stays throughout the portfolio. To enhance their travels, member may also indulge in 120,000 experiences offered on moments.marriott.com. When booking direct on Marriott.com, SPG.com or any of Marriott's mobile apps, members can take advantage of exclusive Member Rates, free and enhanced Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit Marriott.com or SPG.com. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Rewards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and learn more about #spglife on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,700 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 129 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at  www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit  www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on  Facebook and @MarriottIntl on  Twitter and  Instagram.