New Signings: January 31

WARNER / CHAPPELL ADD MANIC STREET PREACHERS

Warner/Chappell has signed Manic Street Preachers, Music Week reported.

The deal reunites the band with its MD Mike Smith, whom they worked with at Columbia Records in the late 2000s on three albums.

The Preachers’ catalogue remains with Sony/ATV, with whom they were with for almost a quarter of a century. 

The band, who have a new album out in April, told Music Week that Smith was the reason for their move to W/C.

Since taking the top role at W/C in late 2016, Smith has signed up Liam Gallagher, J Hus, Katy B, Andy Partridge, Birdy, Matt Clifford, Dave and Fred Ball.

VODAFONE PLUGS IN WITH SYDNEY MARDI GRAS

Vodafone has intensified its relationship with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, plugging in as both a major partner and mobile service provider for this year. 

Vodafone, a high profile supporter of Australian Marriage Equality campaign, last year launched an employee-led Connect network that promotes equality, individuality and offers guidance and support to employees and their friends.

Festival CEO Terese Casu said, “Vodafone’s continual encouragement to support an open, collaborative and inclusive environment in the workplace, as well as their support for the wider LGBTIQ community, makes us proud to announce Vodafone as our new major partner for Mardi Gras’ 40th anniversary year.”

VICTORIA GOVT. ANNOUNCES THIRD MUSIC CRAWL 

The Victorian Government has announced the acts and the towns that are part of its third Victorian Music Crawl, which it runs through Music Victoria.

The event was set up to bolster the state’s regional music scene, by taking a revolving delegation of Melbourne-based booking agents, managers, artists, media and peak body representatives to connect with bands, venues, agents, events, promoters and media in country areas. 

This time the Crawl heads to the Barwon South West region.

Between February 9 and 11, it will stop at places such as Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Geelong and Queenscliff. 

Local artists to showcase and engage with guests include Archie Roach, Kayla Dwyer, Lee “Sonyboy” Morgan, Cooper Lower, Miss Whiskey, Wayne Jury, Mark Lang (Skipping Girl Vinegar), Gallie, Sarah Carroll and Chris Wilson, Leah Senior, Sweethearts, Localles and Al Parkinson.

BON JOVI’S ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME 

Jon Bon Jovi’s latest enterprise sees him launch a premium rosé wine label, Diving into Hampton Water, in the US market.

The wine was created with the singer’s ex-footballer son Jesse Bongiovi, and was inspired by the lifestyle they lead when they go on holidays in the Hamptons. 

The two worked on designs for the bottle, until they were introduced to French winemaker, Gérard Bertrand, who had also wanted to create a wine that reflected the similar "family, food, friends" lifestyle in the south of France. 

Also part of the mix was their mutual love for music - Bertrand hosts a jazz festival at his main wine estate, Château l’Hospitalet, each year.

“For me the connection between wine and music is organic,” said Bertrand.

“I want to create a link between the emotions that spark off a great song and good wine. They elevate each other.”

“Creating this wine with Gérard was just as creative as collaborating with another songwriter," Bon Jovi added.

“Gérard uses his talents and wine knowledge just like a gifted musician. 

"And working with my son on this has been an amazing experience.”

The wine is described as a fresh and lively rosé, with distinctive minerality, featuring Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, grape varieties characteristic of the French Mediterranean region.

The Bongiovi family launched a pasta sauce six years ago, and operates two pay-what-you-can Soul Kitchen restaurants.

KHALED ALSO PITCHES FOR LIL PUMP 

DJ Khaled is the latest to want a piece of Lil’ Pump, the teenager who broke through last year with ‘Gucci Gang’ on Warner Bros Records.

It reached #3 on the charts and generated 400 million YouTube views.

However, the teenager’s business people are now claiming that the Warner deal is not valid because he was a minor at the time.

Gucci Mane moved first, telling the Pumpster to “name your own price” to sign with his 1017 Eskimo Records.

Now DJ Khaled has posted shots of himself and the youngster and his business team at Khaled’s home in Miami.

"He captioned, MOGUL TALK!! STILL IN THE MEETING !!!! I TOLD MY LAWYER THIS IS URGENT !! Let’s get this deal done.”

HUDSON TO PLAY ARETHA IN MOVIE 

Jennifer Hudson has signed on to play Aretha Franklin in a biopic about the soul legend. 

Franklin’s record producer Clive Davis made the announcement at his pre-Grammys party, during which Hudson performed a set of Aretha classics.

Davis is pushing Hudson as “the new Aretha”.

Franklin herself has thumbs-upped the Hudson choice, although those with long memories would recall the singer was pushing for Halle Berry to play her. 

Berry turned it down, apprehensive that she couldn’t pull off the singing aspect of the role.

TIME MOVES ON OVERSEAS FOR AMAYA LAUCIRICA

South Australian-born Melbourne-based Amaya Laucirica has seen her overseas deal with Opposite Number kick in after she signed up last September. 

Her Rituals album is issued there on March 2, and she is set to follow it up with dates through the UK and Europe.

She’s dropped a new single ‘All Of Our Time’, about keeping a long-term relationship on the boil. 

Laucirica released her first album Sugar Lights in 2008, following up with Early Summer. Her publishing is with Mushroom Music.

DUA LIPA IS NEW ADIDAS FAME

The new 2018 campaign short film for Adidas shot by French director Manu Cossu features ten new personalities, all chosen for their appeal to millennial consumers.

Taking a major role in the short was English singer-songwriter Dua Lipa. She’s just gone Top 10 in America, and this weekend makes her debut on Saturday Night Live, in an episode hosted by Natalie Portman.

The campaign covers Action Sports skateboarding City Cup sneaker, the Crazy sneaker, and the NMD sneaker. 

The ten faces in the campaign include Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti, model and fashion designer Adrianne Ho, A$AP Ferg, Haitian-Canadian DJ and record producer Kaytranada, LA Laker champion Nick Young, skateboarder Miles Silvas, Chinese singer and actor Lu Han, Brazilian born soccer player Marcelo Vieira and soccer player Florencia Galarza.

THE LAZYS INK DEAL WITH GOLDEN ROBOT

Aussie act The Lazys have signed a new record deal with Golden Robot Records, for the release of their new album Tropical Hazards.

The Lazys currently reside in Canada, and Golden Robot will handle the release of the album across the rest of the world, with the band ready to hit the road for a tour.

"We are super stoked to announce we have signed with Golden Robot Records!" said the band.

"Our new record Tropical Hazards is now scheduled for worldwide release. It’s an Aussie attack with both the label and band sharing the passion for rock n roll and worldwide success. Get ready, the party has only just begun!"