DEALS
📝
Reservoir Media has signed a new publishing deal with producer and songwriter Aaron Zuckerman, encompassing his recent co-write 'White Claw' by Yung Gravy and Shania Twain, as well as future works. Zuckerman has collaborated with artists across diverse genres including Lil Wayne, Bebe Rexha and Bryce Vine. John Ozier, Reservoir Executive Vice President Of Creative, states, “We are THRILLED to be Aaron’s publishing home and look forward to providing him high touch creative support to help him rise even higher”. Zuckerman adds, “Reservoir mirrors that same passion [for crafting exceptional music] in the best possible way!”
🤑
IDOL, the digital distributor and artist and label services company, has announced integrations with three royalty processing platforms, Curve, Details and eddy.app, to streamline artist royalty calculations. The new integrations automate the delivery of monthly sales data to these companies, saving time and reducing errors for IDOL’s distributed labels and artists. Sylvain Morton, Director Of Distribution at IDOL, stated: “Integrating Curve, Details and eddy into our service offering is just the first step to ensuring all IDOL partners have one less hurdle when it comes to accurately and efficiently calculating artists’ royalty payments”.
🎼
Universal Music Publishing has signed award-winning composer Jerskin Fendrix to an exclusive, global publishing agreement through its Classics & Screen division. Fendrix, who gained acclaim for his debut film score for Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Poor Things’, became the youngest composer ever nominated for Best Original Score at the BAFTAs and Academy Awards. Natasha Baldwin, Executive Vice President of UMPG Classics & Screen, says: “Jerskin's meteoric rise in the score composing world is extraordinary and he richly deserves all the accolades he has received so far”.
🏷️
Downtown Music Holdings, parent of Downtown Music, CD Baby and FUGA, is exploring a potential sale, sources report. The company has reportedly held talks with private equity firms and at least one major music company. Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl recently told investors the company is exploring M&A opportunities to expand its “lower-touch” services for independent creators and labels, and subsequently hired Goldman Sachs’ Michael Ryan-Southern to lead M&A efforts. Downtown declined to comment on the potential sale beyond stating it remains focused on serving clients and expanding its business.
APPOINTMENTS
🇺🇸
Warner Music Nashville has promoted Mary Catherine Rebrovick to VP, Publicity after twelve years with the label. Rebrovick, who previously served as Senior Director, Publicity, will continue reporting to Senior Vice President Of Publicity Fount Lynch.
LABELS
⚡
PYE Records, a historic UK label established in 1955, is set to make a comeback after a 44 year hiatus. Broadcaster and record producer Tony Currie has acquired the company name and trademark, relaunching the label from its new base on the Isle Of Lismore in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. The first new releases are scheduled for 6 Sep: singer-songwriter Andrea Black’s album ‘Harvest Gold’ and The Tony Currie Orchestra’s debut ‘Race The Sun’. On reviving the big pop orchestra genre, Currie says: “Since 1980, few labels anywhere have invested in this very expensive genre, preferring to reissue material from the 70s. But now the big pop orchestra is back and fit for the 21st Century”. The label’s vinyl will be pressed at Sea Bass Vinyl's wind-powered plant in Tranent,, with distribution handled by One Nation Vinyl Distribution and Threads Of Sound.
🦅
Reigning Phoenix Music has expanded into the UK, launching RPM International in London. Veteran executive Paolo d'Alessandro joins as Head Of International. CEO Sven Bogner says, “The opening of our UK office will allow us to better serve our artists who will now have a London team working both their domestic and international campaigns”. Gerardo Martinez, RPM’s head of US operations, says, “International has never been so important. I am very happy that Paolo has joined us and I am looking forward to having him as a member of the label’s leadership team”.
LIVE
🇯🇲
Red Bull is returning to Notting Hill Carnival with Red Bull Selector, a new interactive music stage at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park on Sunday 25 Aug. This free event will allow the audience to shape DJ sets through interactive voting, flipping the traditional “no requests” rule. The stage’s lineup includes “global heavyweights, celebrated Carnival legends alongside the most exciting names in UK music”.
🏟️
AEG Presents and Monqui Presents in the US have partnered to develop a new 4250-capacity concert venue in Portland’s Lloyd District. The flexible space, designed by Works Progress Architecture, will offer seating for 2000 to 4250 attendees and feature a movable stage. Mike Quinn, Co-Owner of Monqui Presents, says, “We are extremely fortunate and excited about this partnership and THRILLED to bring this venue to Portland”. Don Strasburg, President of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, adds, “We are excited to deliver the city of Portland the concert experience it so deserves”.
🌍
Massive Attack have announced a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy for their ACT 1.5 event on Bristol Downs this August as part of a plan to significantly reduce the environmental impact of large-scale concerts. The plan includes powering the site with renewable energy, providing free electric shuttle buses and implementing a zero-to-landfill waste policy. Robert del Naja says, “The show production is pioneering in all aspects of decarbonisation and will create a blueprint for the way live shows can be produced”. Professor Carly McLachlan of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research says that the band’s “imagination and ambition is boundless – it's an incredible thing to be part of”.
👂
The Night Time Industries Association has introduced a new Listen For Life Charter aimed at protecting the hearing health of staff and patrons in music venues. A recent survey commissioned by Specsavers found that half of regular concert-goers and 92% of venue employees believe loud music has impaired their hearing. The charter, developed in line with World Health Organisation guidelines, outlines a ten point plan for businesses to create safer listening environments. NTIA CEO Michael Kill says, “We want those who enjoy going to festivals, gigs, pubs, bars and clubs to be able to enjoy them without damaging their hearing – and for those who work in loud environments to be given the knowledge and tools to take care of themselves”.
💰
AmplifyWorld, a fan engagement platform co-founded by Kasabian’s Ian Matthews, has launched a $500,000 Artist Fund. Musicians can apply for grants ranging from $1000 to $50000 to support their careers. Matthews states, “With governments in the UK and the US falling short in supporting musicians, independent players like us have to come up with solutions like this”. The fund, open until 1 Sep 2024, seeks artists with “exceptional talent” and “an ambitious and clear vision”. Grant recipients will also receive free access to AmplifyWorld’s Web3-powered tools for music distribution, fan engagement, and analytics.
⚽
Wireless festival has announced an early finish on Sunday to accommodate the Euro 2024 final, with headliner Doja Cat's set moved forward to end at 7pm. The decision, announced via Instagram, has sparked criticism from festival-goers, with one commenting, "Ending a festival at 7pm is ludicrous." Meanwhile, Tyla and Digga D have pulled out of Sunday's line-up, with organisers yet to announce replacements.
LEGAL
⚖️
Young Thug has moved for a mistrial in his racketeering case, alleging judicial bias and “constitutionally unfair” proceedings. The rapper claims Judge Ural Glanville has “effectively joined the prosecution team” and requests a list of all participants in ex parte communications about the case. Prosecutor Adriane Love argues there’s no basis for Glanville’s recusal, stating a controversial closed-door meeting was proper under Georgia law. The trial is paused while an outside judge reviews the recusal motions.
🤖
AI music companies Suno and Udio have hired law firm Latham & Watkins to defend against copyright lawsuits filed by Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music. Latham & Watkins, which also represents OpenAI and Anthropic in similar cases, is expected to argue that AI training falls under fair use. The Latham team is led by Andrew Gass, along with Steve Feldman, Sy Damle, Britt Lovejoy, and Nate Taylor.
MEDIA
💿
NME and Bose have unveiled their second annual C24 mixtape, featuring exclusive tracks from emerging artists. The first single, ‘Funeral’ by Teddy Swims, arrives tomorrow. The full tracklist includes Artemas, Laufey, Royel Otis, Lola Young, Samara Cyn and BandLab competition winner Tehya. Holly Bishop of NME Networks says, “The second year of our peerless collaboration celebrates incredible new music from some of the most exciting artists today”. The mixtape launches on 19 Jul on digital platforms, with limited-edition vinyl and cassettes also available.
📻
Virgin Radio UK has been named the official radio partner for CarFest, Latitude and Hardwick Festival. The station will broadcast live from these events, featuring acts like Duran Duran and Keane. Content Director Mike Cass says, “We're delighted to be in the middle of it all during festival season this year”. Festival organisers praised the partnership, with CarFest’s Anjna Raheja calling it “a true partnership” and Latitude’s Melvin Benn highlighting their “shared commitment to showcasing exceptional music and comedy”.
NEWS + EVENTS
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The annual Ladies Who Rock lunch raised nearly £50,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Hosted by Miss Rory and Sophie K, and featuring a performance by Raachel Chinouriri the event at London's M Restaurant last week was attended by over 140 music industry professionals. Event co-founder Angie Jenkison states: “Young people are the lifeblood of music, and the work of Teenage Cancer Trust is absolutely essential for those undergoing the traumas of cancer treatment”. Jamie Johnson, Head Of Music at Teenage Cancer Trust, adds: “Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of young people facing cancer”.
🚀
Creative agency Full Fat has achieved B Corp certification with a score of 103.8. Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ella McWilliam says, “Our mission has always been to improve the marketing industry through our work. Becoming a B Corp is a true testament to our values and our unwavering dedication to being agents of positive change”. The agency has committed to goals in diversity, environmental sustainability and charitable giving, including donating up to £20,000 in pro bono services annually to charities and 1% of profits to charitable causes.
📣
The Alternative Conservatoire, a multi-disciplinary accelerator course for young music creators, has announced an open call for its new three-month programme starting 17 Jul. The initiative, which recently celebrated its inaugural course with the Entwined showcase concert at Rich Mix, London, offers free tuition to participants through partnerships with Nonclassical, GOKUMI Ensemble and others. Co-director Dr Joel Bell states, “Alternative Conservatoire is for artists who struggle to find a home. We try to provide a community to develop your voice, experiment and relish living in those in-between spaces that make music exciting”.
💡
The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences in the US has announced the second year of the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative, a programme aimed at fostering broader representation in film music composition. Partnering with Universal Music’s Task Force For Meaningful Change and other UMG divisions, the initiative provides career development opportunities for black musicians interested in film composition. Kendra Carter, Academy Senior Vice President, states: “Our goal for this programme is to stimulate long-term career opportunities within the film industry for underrepresented musicians”. Open to UK and US-based black artists with at least three years of experience, the programme offers mentorship, networking, and the chance to compose for a short film. Applications are currently open.
ARTIST NEWS
🇰🇷
NewJeans have been named honorary ambassadors for Korean tourism in 2024 by South Korea’s culture ministry. The quintet will work with the Korea Tourism Organization to promote the country’s attractions, particularly to younger visitors. Band member Minji says, “We'll do our best to promote Korea's diverse charms with a joyful heart”.
TOURS
🔥
JPEGMAFIA has announced his ‘LAY DOWN MY LIFE’ world tour. Beginning in North America, the tour will kick off in the UK at Albert Hall in Manchester on 31 Jan and run through to a show at O2 Academy Bristol on 6 Feb. Tickets are on sale now.
🍁
Courteeners have announced an autumn UK arena tour, kicking off at Glasgow OVO Hydro on 14 Nov and concluding at Birmingham Utilita Arena on 23 Nov. Tickets went on sale today.
🎤
Orlando Weeks has announced a UK tour starting 24 Sep, including a show at London’s Islington Assembly Hall on 3 Oct. Tickets are on sale now.
RELEASES
☕
Action Bronson has released his new album ‘Johann Sebastian Bachlava The Doctor’, alongside the video for track ‘Shadow Realm’.
🦸♀️
Katy Perry has released her new single ‘Woman’s World’.
☘️
Clairo has released her new album ‘Charm’.
🌀
Griff has released her debut album ‘Vertigo’, alongside a visualiser for track ‘Tears For Fun’.
🍿
Cat Burns has released her debut album ‘early twenties’. The short film to accompany the album is out next Wednesday, you can watch the trailer here.
🐺
Remi Wolf has released her new album ‘Big Ideas’.
🌇
DJ Boring has released a ‘DJ-Kicks: DJ Boring’ mix for the DJ-Kicks series. The mix features his new single ‘N15’.
🏝️
OneRepublic have released their new album ‘Artificial Paradise’.
🌹
Andrea Bocelli has released his new single ‘Da Stanotte in Poi (From This Moment On)’ featuring Shania Twain. His new album ‘Duets’ is out 25 Oct.
🩵
Larkin Poe have released their new single ‘Bluephoria’.
🔑
Alison Moyet has released a reworked version of her single ‘So Am I’. Her new album ‘Key’ is out 4 Oct.
🍉
Mustafa has released his new single ‘SNL’. His debut album ‘Dunya’ is out 27 Sep.
🍑
NLE Choppa has released his new single ‘Catalina’ featuring Yaisel LM.
🫣
Girl Ultra has released her new EP ‘blush’, alongside the video for track ‘bruce willisss’.