Launched with Travis Woolsey in 2010, Machat’s label helped boost underground electronic phenoms like Oneohtrix Point Never, Grimes, Autre Ne Veut, James Ferraro, Laurel Halo, Dean Blunt, Hype Williams, Arca, Physical Therapy, and Nguzunguzu, among others.
More recently, Machat had focused more on running the artist management wing of Hippos in Tanks, whose marquee client has been Swedish rapper Yung Lean.
Tragically, though, "Barron's life was cut short in a fatal car accident, April 8, 2015, in Miami Florida,” a statement from his family reads.
News of Machat’s death became public last week when Hippos in Tanks artists and friends, including Oneohtrix Point Never's Dan Lopatin and Arca, tweeted about the label co-founder’s sudden passing.
awful news this am of Barron Machat's passing. RIP. a gentle soul.
— Daniel Lopatin (@0PN) April 9, 2015His father, Steven Machat, is a high-profile entertainment attorney and music industry manager who’s counted Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Leonard Cohen, Phil Spector, and Snoop Dogg among his clients.
Like his dad, Barron Machat was born in New York. He grew up in Los Angeles, where he and Woolsey created Hippos in Tanks. But he had been living in Miami, working on a pair of upcoming Yung Lean projects.
Machat Family Statement on the Death of Barron Machat
Barron Alexander Machat.
June 25th 1987-April 8th 2015.
The Sun of his creators Lisa & Steven Machat, Barron's life was filled with music from his birth. He was able to carry on the family tradition that was created by his father Steven Machat and his grandfather, the late Martin Machat in the world wide music and entertainment business.
Barron's life was cut short in a fatal car accident, April 8, 2015 in Miami Florida.
Barron ran the Indie record label Hippos In Tanks and the Artist Management company of the same name with his father Steven Machat. The offices were located in LA, NY, London and Miami.
Under Barron's creative leadership, musical artists from around the globe were given the opportunity to have their visions and dreams released into the pop culture world. These artists are organic and created what they dreamt not what they were told to create.
Barron was born in New York, raised in LA and had the opportunity in his short life to travel the globe, discover and promote music for the world to see, hear and feel. At the time of his untimely death he was overseeing and finishing the creation of the next two Yung Lean Albums in Miami.
Barron is survived by his family, adoring father Steven Machat, loving mother Lisa Machat and loving sister Margaux Machat.
A celebration of his life will be held in Miami-LA-NY and London.
Barron left us way too soon and he will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed.
