APPOINTMENTS
Artist services and rights management company Interstellar has announced the appointment of Vickie Nauman to its advisory board. "Interstellar is a business that has impressed me from the off, in terms of the calibre of the team, its commitment to its clients and, importantly, the passion they have for music and its creators”, she says. “The company sits right at the intersection of music and innovation, so I hope that it will benefit from my experience as it enters its next phase of growth”.
RELEASES
NZCA Lines will release new EP 'Universal Heartbreak' on 22 Sep. Out now is new single 'Push Reset'. He's also announced a show at London's Lower Third venue on 21 Sep.
Fakear is back with new single 'Healing'. He says of the track: “'Healing', it speaks for itself. This track feels like therapy, an encouragement to dance and let go. I have never worked as much as for this album and this tour. And it feels amazing to be enjoying the fruits of this labour”.
Knife Bride have released new single 'Smother (Make Me Suffer)'. The track is taken from their new EP 'Don't Dream Too Much', which is out on 25 Aug. The band will play a free EP launch show at Blondies in London on 1 Sep.
GIGS & TOURS
The Darkness have announced UK and Ireland shows in December to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album 'Permission To Land'. Each performance will include, says frontman Justin Hawkins, “every song from our debut album faithfully reproduced - with additional clam notes and meanderings - in the order in which they appear on the record”, as well as other fan favourites. Also, “it will be the best show you’ll see this year”, he adds.
AWARDS
AIM's Independent Music Awards are set to return to the Roundhouse in London on 26 Sep. “This year’s awards will be a celebration of the UK’s independent music community, and a recognition of the hard work and creativity we’ve seen over the past year from independent artists and the teams behind them”, says AIM CEO Silvia Montello. Early-bird tickets are currently on sale for the trade group’s rightsholder and distributor members, and friends of AIM, before tickets go on general sale on 12 Jul.
Submissions are now open for this year's Oram Awards, which recognise women, trans and non-binary artists working in sound, music and related technology. They will close on 15 Aug, with the six winners - who will receive mentoring and PRS Foundation bursaries - announced at King's Place in London in November. More information on applications and eligibility here.