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

One Liners: Marshmello, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, more

By Andy Malt and Chris Cooke | Published on Wednesday 19 May 2021

DEALS

Kobalt has signed Seeb to a global publishing deal. “The main reasons behind our decision to team up is the great people in the Kobalt system, the flat structure, total transparency in data and the great online system for statements and reporting”, say the dance music duo. “We really feel that Kobalt set the standard for how publishing should be dealt with today and going into the future”.

Round Hill Music has acquired a bunch of recording rights from Swedish independent label Telegram Studios, including releases by Estelle, Caesars, Serj Tankian, Jamelia, Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers and Throwing Muses. “It is real rarity to come across such a rich collection of masters that is independently owned”, says Round Hill boss Josh Gruss.

Bucks Music Group has signed Ivory Layne to a worldwide publishing deal. “As an up-and-coming artist, I’m used to being valued for potential and what I could be someday”, says Layne. “Bucks sees what I’m bringing to the table now and meets it with enthusiasm and insight. I couldn’t be happier to be working with this incredible team and look forward to where we’ll go together”.

Busta Rhymes has signed a new deal with talent agency CAA to represent him in all areas of live activity. He was previously repped by APA.

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APPOINTMENTS

DIY distributor TuneCore has hired former Vevo exec Becky Seffer as its new CFO. “Becky brings with her a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the technology and music worlds, exactly where TuneCore sits”, says COO Matt Barrington. “Her experience speaks for itself and I’m looking forward to her leadership as the company grows”.

Edgar ‘Edd Grand’ Machuca has been named SVP A&R for both Capitol Records and Virgin Music Label & Artist Services at Universal Music in the US. “Edd has an intuitive feel for identifying game-changing artists, songs, and entrepreneurs”, says Capitol Music Group CEO Jeff Vaughn. “His ability to build trust and speak the same language with creatives sets him apart as an A&R executive. In Edd’s unique joint role at Capitol and Virgin, he will be empowered to do what he does best: impact global culture through music”.

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RELEASES

Duran Duran have announced that they will release new album ‘Future Past’ on 22 Oct, featuring collaborations with artists including Lykke Li and Blur’s Graham Coxon. Here’s new single ‘Invisible’.

Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers have released new single ‘Stop Making This Hurt’. Antonoff says of the song: “‘Stop Making This Hurt’ started ringing more and more in my head, then the pandemic hit and I got the band in a room and we played like we may never play again. At that point, it took on another meaning. [I] found myself banging at the door of the next phase of my life [but to open it] brings up all the darkness from the past and what’s holding you back. I could intellectualise it for days but what I’m truly left with is a voice in my head shouting ‘stop making this hurt'”.

Simply Red have released new single ‘Earth In A Lonely Space’. “The Earth itself is in a lonely place”, says Mick Hucknall. “It’s the job of any artist to try and capture the moment and right now, a lot of people are isolated and alone”.

Satanic Planet – featuring Slayer’s Dave Lombardo and The Locust’s Justin Pearon – have released new single ‘Liturgy’. Their eponymous debut album is out on 28 May.

Charlotte OC has released new single ‘Inevitable’. “This was the hardest song I’ve ever had to write”, she says. “I wrote this song about my Dad when I found out he had cancer last year. This song is about the realisation that no matter how much you don’t want it – losing someone is inevitable and happens to all of us”.

Squid have released the video for recent single ‘Pamphlets’.

Snapped Ankles have released new single ‘The Evidence’.

Raven Bush has released new single ‘Made Of Stars’. “For me, this piece is about remembering that during the process of change we find ourselves in uncomfortable spaces”, he says. “And to remember it’s these moments where we grow the most, so hold tight”.

K-pop group Tri.be have released new single ‘Rub-a-dum’.

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GIGS & TOURS

Marshmello will headline the opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Final in Portugal on 29 May. Here’s a little preview.

Bon Jovi will screen a live performance in around 250 UK cinemas on 10 Jun. “With most concert tours still halted, and fans missing live concerts, we are THRILLED that Bon Jovi fans will have an opportunity to come together and share this experience as a community in their local cinemas”, says Trafalgar Releasing’s Kymberli Frueh. Tickets are on sale here.

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