Artist News Awards Business News Deals Gigs & Festivals Industry People Labels & Publishers One Liners Releases

One Liners: Enter Shikari, 4AD, Field Day, more

By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 11 March 2021

COVID-19 CANCELLATIONS & POSTPONEMENTS

Enter Shikari have announced that they are moving their May UK tour dates to December. A handful of extra shows have also been added too. Tickets to the additional dates go on sale tomorrow.

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DEALS

Sony Music Publishing in the UK has extended its worldwide deal with songwriter and lyricist Don Black. “I’m delighted to renew my relationship with Sony Music Publishing”, says Black. “I am particularly excited to be working with the young and inspirational [co-MDs] David Ventura and Tim Major”.

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APPOINTMENTS

Universal Music’s recently launched Virgin Music Label & Artist Services UK division has today announced Guillermo Ramos as its General Manager. “I am THRILLED that Guillermo is joining Virgin Music as General Manager”, says MD Vanessa Higgins. “He brings with him not only a wealth of experience from his time at [Universal label] Island, but also an earlier background in the independent music scene, making him ideally placed to achieve our joined vision to elevate the careers of independent artists, labels and entrepreneurs to new heights”.

Sony Music Publishing in Australia has promoted Maree Hamblion to SVP International A&R. “Maree has long been a powerhouse of A&R within the Australian music publishing industry, having identified and developed many of its most successful songwriters”, says the publisher’s Australia MD Damian Trotter. “I am personally THRILLED for Maree, and we are all so excited at SMP Australia by the further opportunities that her well-deserved promotion will bring to our local writers on the international stage”.

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EDUCATION & EVENTS

The UK’s Music Publishers Association has announced a scheme for people in the early stages of their music publishing careers, called NXT-Gen Scholars. As part of an aim to champion underrepresented voices, it will offer free memberships to black and ethnic minority applicants. Applications are open until 21 Mar. Download the application form here.

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RELEASES

4AD is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a new compilation, featuring covers of songs from its back catalogue by its current roster of artists. ‘Bills & Aches & Blues’ is being put out digitally in four batches over the next month, and will be available on physical formats in July. The first five tracks – kicking off with a version of Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind?’ by Tkay Maidza – are out now. Listen to those and see the full tracklist here.

Jorja Smith has released new single ‘Addicted’. The song is about “focusing on wanting the full attention of someone who’s not giving enough (or any) when they should be”, she says.

Travis have released their second video of the year that uses deepfake technology. This one is for ‘Waving At The Window’. “I shot the performance in downtown LA at sunrise with a small crew”, says Fran Healy. “Then Hao Li and his team at Pinscreen helped bring the band from the UK to downtown LA with their deepfake technology. It took around six days for their supercomputers to learn everyone’s faces and smoosh it all together. The results are amazing if a little disturbing”.

Utada Hikaru has released new AG Cook-produced track ‘One Last Kiss’.

Alessandro Cortini has announced that he will release new album ‘Scuro Chiaro’ on 11 Jun. From it, this is almost title track ‘Chiaroscuro’.

Falle Nioke and Sir Was have released new single ‘Rain’. “In Africa, even if you are very poor you can go to the village chief and ask him for a bit of land to farm so you can feed yourself or even start a business”, says Nioke. “But the rain is so important. In Africa, there are still places that, without the rain, people and animals will starve. People pray to the higher power for the rain as it’s so important for survival. This song is about that life”.

The Gazette have released new single ‘Blinding Hope’. Their new album, ‘Mass’, is out on 28 May.

Robyn Sherwell has released new single ‘To Give Up’. Her new album, ‘Unfold’, is out on 18 Jun.

Cassyette has released new single ‘Dear Goth’. “It’s about feeling sick of society’s standards, brainwashing systems and feeling like you don’t belong”, she says. “So many people live their lives feeling suppressed because the people around them and the world reject them, so they are scared to be their true selves. I feel that. Although the song is dark, ‘Dear Goth’ is an idea that we can be free to be and believe whatever we want”.

On your list of songs you wish you’d get to hear Mike Patton sing, do you have the theme tune to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’? Well, if you do, throw your hands up in the air. Then bring them down again so that you can click this link.

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GIGS & TOURS

The Field Day festival will return to its original home of Victoria Park in London this year, after a tour of other parks the capital has to offer in recent years. It is set to take place on 29 Aug as part of All Points East – the rival event that turfed it out of Victoria Park in the first place. Acts announced for the event include Bicep and Floating Points. More info here.

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AWARDS

Submissions are now open for this year’s AIM Independent Music Awards, including two new categories: Diversity Champion and Best Live [Streamed] Act. Put forward your favourite indie artists and labels here. The awards will take place on 9 Sep.

Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily – updated every Friday.