DEALS
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Universal Music Publishing has signed Yusuf / Cat Stevens to a global publishing administration deal. “This is the first time the publishing catalogue has been united under one roof with the master catalogue since Chris Blackwell’s Island Records years”, says his manager and son Yoriyos Adamos. “I was really excited about teaming up with Jody [Gerson, CEO] and Mike [McCormack, UK MD] after our initial discussions. We share a dynamic vision and are all committed to supporting Yusuf’s music and his timeless message of peace”.
✍️
Warner Chappell and Katy Perry’s Unsub Publishing have signed a co-publishing deal with Debbii Dawson. “My team and I have fallen in love with Debbii’s ability to fill her songs with a perspective that feels so uniquely her”, says Perry. “She’s the type of artist that gives voice to your subconscious. She’s a rare find and someone I believe has the brightest of futures ahead of her as an artist, songwriter and creative force”.
🤝
Producer Robin Schulz has extended his publishing deal with BMG. The company has also acquired the co-publishing rights in his entire songs catalogue. “I am THRILLED to continue my partnership with BMG, a relationship that has been integral to my musical journey for many years now”, he says. “The acquisition of my co-publishing rights marks a significant milestone. Together, we've achieved incredible success, and I'm excited about the continued collaboration with the entire team”.
✒️
Peermusic has signed Nothing But Thieves to a worldwide publishing deal, covering their future work. Their existing catalogue will remain with Sony Music Publishing. “I am THRILLED to be welcoming Nothing But Thieves to the Peermusic roster”, says UK MD Nigel Elderton. “This was an extremely competitive deal and a huge priority signing for us! We are honoured that the band are entrusting us with their upcoming music and we are very much looking forward to working with them and their management team”.
🖊️
Gamma has signed a deal with Three Six Zero Recordings to provide music distribution, marketing and multimedia production services to the label division of the Three Six Zero management company. “Mark Gillespie and his team have established a remarkable and progressive business with Three Six Zero Recordings”, says Gamma CEO Larry Jackson. “We’re philosophically aligned and I know working together with a kindred spirit will help us further advance the work of their innovative artists”.
APPOINTMENTS
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Music publicity firm Yes Please has appointed Elli Chappelhow to its broadcast team. She joins from Universal Music’s EMI Records. "I'm really happy to be joining the brilliant Yes Please team and I'm super excited to sink my teeth into a different side of music promo as the landscape continues to evolve”, she says.
🇨🇦
Canadian Music Week has hired Brian Hetherman as its International Programmer. “CMW is always adapting with the times”, he says. “I was the international ambassador at Canadian Music Week for many years, working with them on their international marketplace and attending conferences around the world on behalf of Canadian Music Week, as well as my own entities. It is a natural progression to help put together panels, both domestic and international”.
LABELS
🇺🇸
Universal Music in the US has announced that its new super-division on the East Coast - which brings together the Republic, Def Jam, Island and Mercury labels under Republic Records co-founder Monte Lipman - will be known as Republic Corps. It’s all part of the revamp of the major’s recordings business in the US, which has also seen West Coast labels Interscope Geffen A&M and Capitol Music Group merged together as the Interscope Capitol Labels Group.
LIVE BUSINESS
🛣️
Live Nation has announced that it will extend its On the Road Again programme to the end of 2024. Launched in partnership with Willie Nelson last autumn, it provides every artist who plays a Live Nation-owned club in the US with $1500 to cover travel costs, in addition to their agreed fee. Artists are also able to keep 100% of their merch income. "Our goal was to make touring a little easier and we've accomplished that night after night for over 4000 artists, with more on the way”, says Nelson.
DIGITAL
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Soundraw has raised $3 million of investment for its AI music generator. “I started Soundraw to make music really open and fun and easy for anyone to create and use, no matter what their technical ability, and we’ve succeeded”, says CEO Daigo Kusunoki. “We can’t wait to put more tools into more hands, so that everyone can make music”.
MEDIA
📻
Media company Bauer is removing seven of its UK radio stations from the Freeview digital TV platform, Radio Today reports. Greatest Hits Radio, Hits Radio, Kerrang! Radio, KISS Fresh, KISSTORY and Magic Radio will become unavailable on 2 Apr, while Absolute Radio will follow on 10 May. The company previously removed all of its stations from satellite and cable platforms in December.
🪨
Rock Sound has partnered with Sum 41, Rise Records and Serenade to publish what they say is the first ever chart eligible digital magazine cover bundle. Anyone who buys one of 541 limited editions of the latest issue will be able to tap their phones on the cover to receive a download of Sum 41’s final album ‘Heaven :x: Hell’, along with bonus content. Find out more here.
AWARDS
🎖️
Music therapy charity Nordoff And Robbins has announced five of the winners of its 2024 Silver Clef Awards, ahead of the ceremony on 5 Jul. Jessie Ware wins Best Female, The 1975 take Best Group, Texas will receive the Outstanding Achievement award, Cat Burns wins the New Music Award and Ezra Collective will be handed the Contemporary Music Award.
RELEASES
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Tones & I has released new single ‘I Get High’.
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Saweetie has released new single ‘Richtivities’.
🍀
Villagers have released new single ‘You Lucky One’ from forthcoming album ‘That Golden Time’, which is out on 10 May.
🏘️
Metronomy have released new single ‘Nice Town’, their first for Ninja Tune and a collaboration with Pan Amsterdam.
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Douglas Dare has shared new single ‘8w9zeros’. New album ‘Omni’ is out on 10 May. He is also set to play London’s Corsica Studios on 9 May.
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Lynks has released new single ‘Tennis Song’. Their debut album ‘Abomination’ is out on 12 Apr.
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Dea Matrona have released new single ‘Black Rain’. Their debut album ‘For Your Sins’ is out on 3 May.