Lisbon, Portugal – April 25th 2025:
Today marks the official international launch of Mermaids & Albatrosses, an innovative, independent music distribution company that embodies the spirit of exploration, freedom, and connection. Born in the vibrant cultural hub of Portugal, Mermaids & Albatrosses introduces itself to the world, offering national and international artists a seamless bridge between their creativity and audiences worldwide.
A fiercely independent operation, Mermaids & Albatrosses stands in direct opposition to the modern world’s “mergers & acquisitions” common practices. “We come from an independent label world”, explains Nuno Saraiva, CEO, “so we extend that same philosophy to the labels and artists we work with. Real artists, real labels, real music – no filler.”
The name Mermaids & Albatrosses reflects the company’s core values and mission: Like the mythical mermaids, the company is set to gracefully navigate the currents, fluidity and depth of the music industry, making music and making waves – enchanting with its songs. Meanwhile, the albatross symbolizes the company’s global reach, soaring across borders and oceans to deliver music to every corner of the world. These majestic birds were seen as symbols of good luck, safe passage, and favorable winds. Their presence was believed to bring protection and guidance during long voyages across the open ocean. Together, these symbols represent a harmonious blend of artistry, technology, and commercial ambition firmly anchored on an independent philosophy that places artists first – the company is owned and run by artists, for artists.
Mermaids & Albatrosses is built on the belief that music should travel. With its roots in Portugal—a country renowned for its rich musical heritage and innovative spirit—the company is committed to empowering independent artists and labels to share their voices on a global scale. It was started within the fold of AMAEI, Portugal’s independent music trade association, a member of IMPALA (European Music Companies Association) and WIN (Worldwide Independent Network) as well as being Portugal’s first MERLIN-member distribution company.
“Our mission is to be the wind beneath the wings of artists, helping them navigate the vast ocean of the music industry,” says Saraiva, the new CEO of Mermaids & Albatrosses. “We’re here to provide the network, the knowledge and tools, the personalised support and agility needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.”
Inspired by the albatross’s boundless flight, the company ensures music is distributed to all major streaming platforms and digital stores worldwide, from Spotify and Apple Music to Deezer and beyond to the lesser known global platforms that European artists might not even be aware of, like Pandora in the US or other DSP’s in the middle east, India and Asia that provide artist-facing tools to develop new markets.
Mermaids & Albatrosses prioritizes transparency, fair royalties, and personalized support, empowering artists to focus on what they do best—creating music – even while they have not reached 1000 streams in a small market like Portugal. “We believe not in the false nomenclature of the day, where corporate CEO’s talk about “artist-centric” in a truly disingenuous way, stealing from the poor to give to the rich, but rather in interesting new models like the AIM Artist Growth Model that was proposed a few years ago in the UK. We believe in artist development without harming diversity and new talents”, Saraiva adds “and will be testing and implementing new payout models within our artist community and eco-system based on some of these concepts linked to artist development in the near future.”
With its Portuguese roots, the company celebrates diversity and aims to amplify voices from underrepresented regions, fostering a truly global music community. “We are open to partnering with other independent labels and artists, part of the IMPALA European or WIN global community, who have been left without an independent path to market due to the announced acquisitions of Downtown / FUGA by Universal, for example. If you want to stay independent you can talk to us – we are not just in Portugal anymore.”
Mermaids & Albatrosses is more than a distribution service—it’s a partner in the artistic journey. From emerging talents to established acts, the company provides tools for promotion, analytics, and audience engagement, ensuring every artist has the opportunity to shine. “We do not charge artists up-front for distribution and smart links for example; we become partners in their journey. The basic distribution contract can then be complemented by publishing administration services, synch procurement and neighbouring rights collections handled from a label services and artist services partnership perspective – not charging artists or living off of their dreams as many distribution platforms do.” Saraiva emphasises, “Their growth and development is what builds our success. Together, we’ll explore uncharted waters in ethical AI and other cutting-edge developments in music around the world.”
As Mermaids & Albatrosses sets sail on its global journey, the company invites artists, industry professionals, and music lovers to join in on this exciting new chapter.
