DEALS
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Construction and agricultural equipment behemoth JCB has struck what has to be one of the most left-field brand partnerships in recent years, cosying up to Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh to raise money for US military veterans charity VetsAid. The collaboration has been spearheaded by Alice Bamford, granddaughter of JCBâs founder, and her partner Ann Eysenring. Bamford, now a biodynamic farmer based in Malibu California, previously founded noughties garage label E-Mancipated, releasing early tracks from Lemar and garage pioneers Ramsey & Fen. The track Walsh created - called âDig Itâ - features his brother-in-law Ringo Starr on drums and premiered at Monster Jam, Londonâs âfull throttle family funâ monster truck festival last weekend, where it was the anthem for the JCB DIGatron monster truck. Watch DIGatronâs performance and listen to the track here.
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Warner Music Brazil and the majorâs services business ADA have invested in Sua MĂșsica, Brazil's largest music platform and digital distributor, to expand the reach of Brazilian regional music globally. The partnership also aims to strengthen Warnerâs presence in Brazil's regional music scene, particularly in the Northeast. Roni Maltz Bin, CEO of Sua MĂșsica, says, âOur main mission is to develop, amplify and connect the music universe. Our goal is to strengthen the Sua MĂșsica Group as a complete solutions hub for artists, intensifying our concept of a one-stop-shop for music: distributor, publisher, app and much moreâ. Leila Oliveira, President of Warner Music Brazil, adds âThe combination of Sua MĂșsica's significant presence in regional music with our national reach and global network will amplify the efforts of both companies and offer artists new creative and commercial possibilities and opportunitiesâ.
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Finger Eleven has signed with independent label Better Noise Music and announced a new album due in 2025, with the first single âAdrenalineâ releasing on 2 Aug. Vocalist Scott Anderson says, âI'm proud to announce that Finger Eleven has partnered up with Better Noise Music. The digital ink is nearly dry and we couldn't be more excited about this new teamâ. Better Noise Music CEO Dan Waite adds, âWe'll be working them hard at radio and streaming and using our skills in artist development to expand their already large audienceâ.
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Cooking Vinyl and V2 Records have partnered to sign Razorlight, with Cooking Vinyl releasing the bandâs fifth studio album in the UK and V2 handling the rest of the world. Expected in Q4 2024, the album will feature Razorlightâs original line-up and be supported by live dates. Cooking Vinyl MD Rob Collins says, âThere's a love of guitars again, and with the original line-up the time feels right for Razorlightâ, with Max Beekman and Tom Willinck from V2 adding âwe have been big fans of the band for a long time and are very much looking forward to working on their upcoming musicâ. The bandâs manager, Roger Morton says, âIn an industry which is all too often sluggish and disingenuous, it's a pleasure to be working with people as smart, communicative and pragmatic as V2 and Cooking Vinylâ.
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Mae Estes has renewed her worldwide publishing deal with Kobalt, which was originally signed in 2020. The singer-songwriter, who inked a global recording deal with Big Machine in late 2023, has amassed over 13 million streams across digital platforms as an independent artist. Stephanie Cox, SVP, Creative at Kobalt, says, âMae Estes is one of the most exciting new artists to come onto the scene in a long timeâ. Estes adds, âI have so much respect and appreciation for Stephanie and the rest of the incredible Kobalt teamâ.
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Independent publisher Livelihood Music Co has added songwriters Jacob âJKashâ Kasher Hindlin and Michael Pollack as principals and owners, while appointing Wendy Christiansen as President. Christiansen says, âI was drawn to the companyâs unwavering commitment to hands-on development and its dedication to supporting songwriters at every stage of their careerâ, with Pollack adding, âOur leadership is uniquely comprised of both seasoned executives and active songwriter-producers, giving our clients the opportunity to both benefit from our services and collaborate with and learn from experienced hit-makersâ. CEO Liz Newmark says, âWe are committed to encouraging songwriters to gain an understanding of the business aspects that impact their careersâ.
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K-pop label JYP Entertainment is launching a Latin music division, with plans to develop artists for the Spanish-language market. Its first project is âL2Kâ, an audition show aimed at forming a global Latin girl group. Jimmy Jeong, CEO of JYP Entertainment, says, âWe are THRILLED to embark on this exciting journey into the vibrant LATAM market. The undeniable synergies between K-popâs energy and Latin musicâs creativity present a perfect opportunity to bridge cultures and amplify the connections between our global fanbasesâ.
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Jason Newsted, former Metallica bassist, has partnered with online instrument marketplace Reverb to sell over 60 guitars and basses from his personal collection. The shop will feature vintage instruments used throughout Newstedâs career, including a one-of-one ten string Alembic Europa bass used on Metallica tours and a five string fretless Zon bass used to record âUntil It Sleepsâ. In a video talking through the guitars heâs selling, Newsted says, âThe last 30 or 40 years as Iâve travelled around playing music for people Iâve gathered some cool shit. I canât play all these, I can only play so many at once. Any real collection takes time to amass. This stuff was collected, truly collected - on adventures. You find the ones that are your favourites and the others need to go. I did the legwork, their provenance is what it is. Buy all the stuff, youâll be glad you did!â
APPOINTMENTS
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Discogs has unveiled the inaugural members of its new Community Advisory Turntable, comprising active users representing record collectors, independent sellers and music archivists. The advisors will work with Discogs leadership to guide platform development and address community needs. Kevin Lewandowski, Discogs Founder and CEO, says, âWorking with these individuals takes me back to the early days of Discogs. Now that the community has grown so dramatically, having these representatives of all types of Discogs is crucial to maintaining that connection and remaining responsive to their needsâ. The group will be facilitated by label and publishing exec Rick Krim who currently chairs the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nominating committee and was formerly Co-president at publisher Sony/ATV. Krim says, âAs an active Discogs user, I'm honoured to be the facilitator of this amazing group of advisors. The fact that theyâre volunteering their time and energy to this initiative illustrates their commitment and passion for Discogsâ.
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Warner Chappell Music has appointed Tat Tong as Vice President of A&R And Creative for Asia Pacific, based in Shanghai. Tong, who previously held roles at Sony Music Entertainment and has an extensive career as a producer and songwriter, will be responsible for developing WCMâs A&R and creative strategies in the region. Tong says, âThe APAC music scene is rapidly growing and evolving, and I'm excited to join the Warner Chappell Music team in this role. I'm eager to leverage my expertise and knowledge of the regional markets to discover and develop exceptional songwriting talentâ.
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Universal Musicâs Virgin Music Group has appointed Justin Bumper Reeve as Senior Vice President of Global Sync. Formerly the founder of Hidden Track Music, he will be based in Los Angeles and will lead Virginâs global sync team. Jeremy Kramer, Virginâs EVP Of Global Marketing, says, âBumper is one of the most successful and respected creative sync executives in the business. He is already proving to be invaluable for our label and artists clients around the world, having already secured syncs with global blue chip brands and some of the most commercially successful films and television showsâ. Bumper Reeve adds, âThis is a dream job. For almost two decades, I've been diligently and passionately working in sync in the independent sector, and every endeavor and challenge has prepared me for this opportunity on the global stageâ.
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Distiller Music Group has appointed Ian Carew as Managing Director of Distiller Records as well as promoting Lois Burdett Proctor to Campaign Manager, appointing Nick Gartland as Rights Management Executive and Khobiyb Elsamani as an A&R Scout. Carew, previously a marketing consultant for the label, brings over 25 years of industry experience, including senior roles at Sony Music and Universal Music. Sam Dyson, founder and CEO of Distiller Music Group, says, âIan has a unique creative vision, which sets him apart. I believe he is the perfect person to take Distiller to the next levelâ. Carewâs appointment is announced as Distiller makes a number of key signings, including Sports Team in a global joint venture with Bright Antenna Records. Carew says, âAccepting this role was an easy decision as it always has felt like where I wanted to be. The label has transformed massively over the past couple of years and now we have a world-class roster and a team comprising some of the best young executives in the industryâ.
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The British Association For Performing Arts Medicine, or BAPAM, has appointed PET NEEDS lead singer Johnny Marriott and actor and musician Sheila Atim as patrons. The two will join existing patrons of the charity including Dame Evelyn Glennie and Julian Lloyd Webber. BAPAM CEO Claire Cordeaux says, âSheila and Johnny, both exceptional talents in acting and music, will add incredible value to the efforts of our existing patrons and partnersâ.
LABELS
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A number of indie labels have come together to launch creatively named talking-shop Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts - or âORCAâ - which the group describes as a âground-breaking think tankâ and âfirst for the global music ecosystemâ that will âdevelop and promote research, data, and qualitative and quantitative evidence that underscore the significant economic, social, and cultural value of musicâ. Founding members include fifteen record labels such as Beggars Group, Domino Recording Company and Sub Pop. Martin Mills, Founder and Chairman of Beggars Group, states, âMusic is an undervalued asset in the daily round, and we seek to translate the motivations underlying its production into an appreciation that art and commerce can live as oneâ.
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The Warehouse Project has launched WHP Records in partnership with David Dollimoreâs Disorder Records. The new labelâs debut release will feature Leeds-based DJ/producer Bakey, a 2024 WHP resident, with his first track âWouldn't Believeâ released tomorrow. Dollimore, former President of Ministry Of Sound and the RCA Label Group, says, âThe pedigree surrounding this partnership is unrivalled within the industry and I am excited for the future of independent record companies like oursâ. WHP founders Richard McGinnis and Sam Kandel add, âWith the advent of WHP Records and the partnership with Disorder we unlock a whole new way of working with artists and this album project from Bakey feels like exactly the right place to startâ.
DIGITAL
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Japanâs Fuji Rock Festival 24 will be livestreamed for free on Prime Video and Amazon Musicâs Twitch channels from 26 to 28 Jul. The stream will feature performances and interviews from the various marquees and stages at the festival, which takes place at Japanâs Naeba Ski Resort. Headliners include The Killers, Kraftwerk and Noel Gallagherâs High Flying Birds, with a diverse line-up of international and Japanese artists. The full streaming schedule is yet to be announced.
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The European Commission has released preliminary findings claiming that Xâs blue checkmark system deceives users and violates the Digital Services Act. The Commission argues that the paid verification system misleads users about account authenticity and content reliability. Thierry Breton, commissioner for internal market, says, âBack in the day, blue checks used to mean trustworthy sources of information. Now with X, our preliminary view is that they deceive users and infringe the DSAâ. The EC also found X non-compliant with DSA transparency requirements regarding its ad repository and researcher data access. X now has the right to defend itself, with potential fines of up to 6% of global turnover if the findings are confirmed.
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YouTube has announced a partnership with Tomorrowland to livestream the electronic music festivalâs 20th anniversary edition. The collaboration will feature four concurrent livestreams, including 24/7 coverage of the Main Stage and Freedom Stage across both festival weekends (19-21 Jul and 26-28 Jul). Sam Vergauwen, Head of YouTube for the Benelux region, says, âWe're THRILLED to see this partnership grow and evolve over the yearsâ. The livestream will include performances from Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta and Steve Aoki, with individual sets to be uploaded as permanent videos on 29 Jul. YouTube will also promote the event through Yoodles in multiple countries and host a dedicated YouTube House area at the festival.
LEGAL
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The judge newly assigned to Young Thugâs ongoing racketeering trial has already recused herself from the case, because her former courthouse deputy had a romantic relationship with one of the other defendants. The long-running trial was originally being overseen by Judge Ural Glanville, but he was removed after defence lawyers complained about a private meeting he had with prosecutors and a witness. Judge Shukura Ingram was randomly assigned to replace Glanville, but quickly recused herself, saying that the connection between her former deputy and a defendant might create an "appearance of improprietyâ. A third judge, Paige Reese Whitaker, has now been assigned to the case.
INDUSTRY
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Football may not have come home, but who really cares when youâve got the Miloco Music Industry Five-A-Side tournament? Yesterdayâs fiercely-fought competition saw twenty teams from a range of music companies go head-to-head in frenetic ten minute bouts of mini-footballing glory at Shepherdâs Bush Powerleague. The final saw Columbia Records face-off against 2-Tone, with 2-Tone snatching victory in the final minutes of the match and winning 3-2, which is a goal every two minutes. Who can hope for more excitement than that? All proceeds from the tournament went to Brighton Table Tennis Club, who will presumably now launch their very own crazy golf fundraiser for music companies.