New Signings & Team-Ups: February 28

UMPA TAKES IN HOPIUM 

Universal Music Publishing Australia signed singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Hardy, who performs as Hopium, a global publishing deal.

The London-based, Australian-born musician first broke out with the track ‘Dreamers’ which gained international traction.

The song was later sampled by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth on global hit ‘See You Again.’

Arwen Hunt, VP of A&R at UMPG Australia & New Zealand, said, “Josh is such a talent and has an intrinsic flair for writing killer hooks.

“Since first meeting in London back in 2016, Josh has worked closely with our incredible creative teams here and in the UK on his development as a gifted songwriter.”

The signing announcement coincided the release of single ‘Leave,’ co-written with Benji Miller and Klaxons member Jamie Reynolds.

Having spent the past three years honing his songwriting skills in Berlin and London, Hopium recently signed to Warner Bros. Records UK. 

Building towards a debut EP, his next single, ‘Sunglasses,’ is set for release in April 2018.

SONY/ATV BACKS 25-YEAR-OLD TRIPLE THREAT RUSS

Atlanta musician Russ has inked a global publishing deal with Sony/ATV, capping off a huge 2017 in which he garnered over 1.3 billion streams. His debut album There’s Really A Wolf also cracked into the US Top 10.

“We are particularly excited to have made this deal with Russ,” said Sony/ATV co-president US Danny Strick. “He exemplifies the modern music business with his massive streaming success and tight relationship with his fans. We will work closely with Russ and his management to bring his music to an even larger fan base.”

“I respect the passion and understanding of my vision Sony/ATV has and at the end of the day, I move off my gut,” added Russ. “This deal allows me to keep my independence while continuing my goal of being the biggest artist possible.”

COURTNEY BARNETT SINGS INXS FOR APPLE’S MARRIAGE EQUALITY AD

During Australia’s postal vote last year over marriage equality, Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted the company’s support. 

When it commissioned its Australian agency TBWASydney to create a series of ads celebrating same-sex marriage, the choice for soundtrack fell on INXS’s ‘Never Tear Us Apart’. 

And who better to use to sing an acoustic version than Courtney Barnett who once performed INXS’s album Kick in its entirety.

It soundtracks the ads, shot on Apple iPhone X featuring real-life weddings with same-sex couples having their first dance.

BETTY WHO TOO HARD TO IGNORE FOR KOBALT

Kobalt signed up Australian pop singer Betty Who to a record deal. A new single ‘Ignore’ has just been issued.

Boo was previously with RCA Records between 2013 and 2017. 

Her ‘I Love You Always Forever’ went Top 10 hit in Australia and was certified double platinum.

Ron Cerrito, President of Kobalt Music Recordings America, observed: “Betty and team have built a loyal fanbase and global career from the ground up. 

“Now, as an independent artist, she’s redefining her own path and taking the reins in a powerful way. 

“Her vision for conquering the world with her music is contagious. We could not be prouder to partner with Betty as she, herself, writes the next chapter.”

$1.16B BID FOR PIECE OF IHEARTMEDIA

Liberty Media, the parent company of America’s SiriusXM has made a bid of $1.16 billion for a 40% share of terrestrial radio company iHeartMedia. 

20% of the stake would go to Liberty, and the other 20% to Sirius.

iHeartMedia, which has a debt of $20 billion, has been incurring losses. 

Last month it failed to deliver a $106 million interest payment to creditors. It now has 30 days to restructure the debt to avoid bankruptcy.

OUR GOLDEN FRIEND, SOUNDS AUSTRALIA TEAM AT SXSW …

Melbourne record label and management company Our Golden Friend teams with Sounds Australia at South By Southwest (SXSW) in Texas for a free afternoon party on Friday March 16. 

It’s held at the Australian Government sponsored Australia House (an SXSW-only hub from the converted Lucille’s club) and Our Golden Friend acts Jade Imagine, RVG, Totally Mild and Jess Ribeiro will play.

…WHILE SECRET SOUNDS ALSO THROWS PARTY

Secret Sounds, the folks behind Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival (among many events) throws a six-hour showcase bash on the afternoon of Wednesday March 14 at the Sidewinder.

The bill includes a mix of Australian and international buzz names as Gang of Youths and Irish balladeer Dermot Kennedy, as well as Californian hip-hop act DUCKWRTH, indie rock band Starcrawler, triple j Unearthed’s G Flip, Stella Donnelly, Manchester’s Pale Waves, paranoia folkster Liza Anne, BBC’s Sound of 2018 finalist Nilüfer Yanya, Pharrell’s best buddy MC Buddy and pop upstarts Ider.

CHECKED LABEL CHECKS OFF KATRINA BURGOYNE

Australian country music singer-songwriter Katrina Burgoyne has inked with Checked Label Services / Kobalt Music Publishing globally.

Will Osland, Managing Director of the Checked Label Services Group said, "Katrina has been with us almost from our label inception over ten years ago.

“I’m extremely pleased to have represented her for such a huge amount of time and to have kicked so many goals including an ARIA charting album.

“On a personal level, I couldn’t be more proud of her chasing her dreams in Nashville, and I look forward to what’s ahead".

The deal encompasses all past and future works globally.

Burgoyne is a two-time Golden Guitar nominee who won the Australian Songwriters Association Country Song Of The Year in 2011, was last year’s Unsigned Only Country Song Of The Year winner, received the APRA Professional Development Award in 2009, has cuts with EMI, Sony, ABC and Universal artists and appeared on a series of Channel Ten’s The Bachelor Australia.

SONGKICK EXPANDS WITH TWO DEALS 

Concert discovery app Songkick, which Warner Music Group bought last year, has struck two deals that will heighten its global presence considerably, Billboard reported.

It will integrate its concerts and events for Facebook’s 2 billion users, and moves further into the European market with a data-sharing agreement with French retailer FNAC, the "largest ticket seller" in France and Belgium. 

Last year Songkick joined forces with Pandora and Vevo, which saw its user base grow by 34% and monthly active users by 43%.

HALFNOISE TURNS UP VOLUME WITH CAROLINE AUSTRALIA

Paramore drummer Zac Farro’s project Halfnoise has signed directly with Caroline Australia for the local May 4 release of the Flowerss EP.

Flowerss was recorded in Nashville, and its ‘70s tinged title track is out as a single.

WARNER CHAPPELL LICENSING WITH MELODYVR

As London-based virtual reality content creator MelodyVR gets set to launch this year, it has finalised another licensing deal, this time with Warner/Chappell.

The deal is to create and distribute virtual content using W/C’s huge catalogue of songs.

More publishing deals are expected. Last year it struck partnerships with the three major labels and a massive one with Microsoft to make its content available to over 500 million Windows 10 consumers.

NEW ADDITION FOR BRETT OATEN

A statement from Sydney-based Brett Oaten Solicitors revealed: “We are very pleased to continue to work with some of Australia’s most exciting young artists, across all genres, as we have done for 25 years now.

“This month Baker Boy, Lara Andallo and Luboku are making waves, to name just a few. It’s great to have them on board.”