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Artist News Gigs & Festivals Industry People Labels & Publishers Live Business One Liners Releases
One Liners: Rita Ora, Arlo Parks, Killer Mike, more
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 20 April 2023
APPOINTMENTS
Downtown Music has announced another rejig of its various businesses resulting in the creation of Downtown Artist & Label Services, bringing together the artists and labels previously working with its DashGo and Downtown Music Services units under one roof. The new division will be headed up by Ben Patterson. “There is no better person than Ben to lead the Artist & Label Services division, and I can’t wait to see how his leadership and passion benefit the incredible artists and labels we represent”, says Downtown Music President Pieter van Rijn.
Oak View Group has appointed Gary Roden as Executive Director and General Manager of Manchester’s Co-op Live venue. “I am delighted to be joining Co-op Live, leading the team in Manchester to launch and operate a game-changing arena experience for both fans and artists”, says Roden. “I can’t wait to get started, working with Oak View Group, City Football Group, key stakeholders and partners to launch what is not only set to be a groundbreaking arena for the UK, but one that will see Manchester firmly leading the way globally”.
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RELEASES
Rita Ora has released new single ‘Praising You’, taken from her new album ‘You & I’, which is set for release on 14 Jul. “This album really means a lot to me”, she says. “It’s like my diary of the last few years, it’s my sound and it just feels so true to me and who I am today”.
Arlo Parks has released new single ‘Blades’. “I wanted to make something that I can dance to, finally, because I feel like my songs don’t really have that quality in general”, she says. “So, I took inspiration from bands like ESG, artists like Kaytranada, and a lot of the kind of 70s Zambian psychedelic rock that I love”. Her new album ‘My Soft Machine’ is out on 26 May.
Killer Mike has released new solo single ‘Don’t Let The Devil’, featuring his Run The Jewels bandmate El-P and Thankugoodsir. His first solo album since 2012’s ‘RAP Music’ – ‘Michael’ – is out on 16 Jun.
Lucy Spraggan has released new single ‘Bodies’. “I wrote ‘Bodies’ because I think it’s important to be honest about the way our bodies and brains can work against each other”, she says. “After a lot of therapy and work surrounding self-worth, I have been able to start a better relationship with myself, though I still struggle with body image issues”. New album ‘Balance’ is out on 11 Aug and Spraggan will be touring the UK next month.
Blawan has released new single ‘Toast’. His new EP ‘Dismantled Into Juice’ is out on 17 May.
Moon Panda have announced that they will release new album ‘Sing Spaceship, Sing’ on 21 Jul, and have released new single ‘Starfruit’. Says the duo’s Maddy Myers: “’Starfruit’ has this really delicate verse where I’m basically asking to be held and cared for and then when the chorus hits it’s just this complete freedom and boldness”. They will play London’s Waiting Room on 18 May, followed by UK tour dates in October.
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GIGS & TOURS
Babymetal have announced three UK shows in November. Two will take place at The Roundhouse in London on 27 and 28 Nov, followed by The Civic in Wolverhampton on 29 Nov. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
Quicksand have announced UK shows in October. The band are set to play Gorilla in Manchester on 21 Oct and London’s Islington Academy on 22 Oct. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily – updated every Friday.
