Deals
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ONErpm has signed rock trio Sick Puppies with their first single under the deal, ‘There Goes The Neighborhood’, set for release on 26 Jul. The track precedes the band’s sixth album, ‘Wave The Bull’, due out in early 2025. “We’re so stoked to announce our signing with ONErpm”, states the band, adding, “It's something we know will be really positive for Sick Puppies”. Aleksey Ziabko, Senior Director of A&R at ONErpm, comments: “Sick Puppies are a staple in the rock community and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with the band on their highly anticipated upcoming album”.
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Orfium has signed a global UGC monetisation deal with Japanese label Pony Canyon, expanding its presence in the world’s second largest music market. The agreement will see Orfium apply its AI-based matching technology to track Pony Canyon’s repertoire usage on platforms like YouTube. Rob Wells, Orfium’s CEO, says that the deal “marks further progress in our journey to providing the technology infrastructure for the global entertainment industry”, adding, “As the evolution of Japan’s digital music market accelerates we are actively helping creators and rightsholders to track, and get rightly remunerated for, the growing use of their music on new media”.
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Warner Chappell Music has announced a partnership with Analog Metaverse, a rights management company founded by Grammy-winning producer Salaam Remi. WCM will jointly administer the majority of Analog Metaverse’s catalogue, which includes over 2000 songs from artists such as Dennis Brown, Don Blackman and Remi himself. “Having the benefit of being a songwriter and publisher myself, I fully understand the importance of having partners who not only appreciate the wonderful creations of the icons from the last few generations but also can help us carry them into the future”, says Remi. Guy Moot, Warner Chappell CEO, adds: “There’s a lot of synergy between our approach and Analog Metaverse’s mission, and it’s great to be joining forces to help writers and their estates realise their full potential”.
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Booking agency Wasserman Music has signed singer-songwriter Olive Klug for exclusive worldwide representation. Klug, who released their debut album in August 2023, will be represented by Tommy Alexander and Paige Maloney. “I'm so excited and honoured to be working with Tommy and Paige and I can't wait to start playing more shows”, Klug states. The artist toured extensively in 2023, with Do Less Management CEO Christiana Sudano noting, “Having the team at Wasserman to take the shows to more cities and fans is going to be huge”.
Appointments
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Concord Music Publishing has appointed Jonnie Macson as Vice President Of Royalties. Macson, who will be based in Nashville, will focus on improving global royalty systems to ensure fair compensation for Concord’s songwriters and publishing clients. He brings nearly two decades of experience from Universal Music Publishing Group, where he most recently served as Vice President Of Global Administration. “I can think of no one better suited than Jonnie to join our team”, says Jeff Van Driel, General Manager of International Operations, to whom Macson will report.
Legal
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Kakao founder Kim Beom-su was arrested Tuesday over alleged stock manipulation during the company’s acquisition of SM Entertainment last year. The Seoul Southern District Court approved the arrest warrant, citing risk of evidence destruction and flight. Kakao stated: “We find this situation unfortunate”, adding that CEO Shina Chung would lead efforts to minimise management disruption. Kim’s arrest could jeopardise Kakao’s AI investment plans and overseas expansion, as well as its control of KakaoBank,, due to South Korean financial regulations.
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Chris Brown, Yella Breezy and Live Nation are facing a $50 million lawsuit over an alleged assault that took place in Fort Worth, Texas, during Brown’s tour. Four men claim Brown orchestrated an attack on them backstage at his 11:11 Tour concert, resulting in injuries requiring medical treatment. Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the plaintiffs, states, “Multiple police reports have been made”. The lawsuit seeks damages and restraining orders against Brown, Breezy and a member of Brown’s entourage
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US collecting society SoundExchange has filed a lawsuit against AccuRadio in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, seeking to recover unpaid royalties for performers and rights owners. The suit, filed on 19 Jul, comes after AccuRadio stopped paying statutory royalties in 2018 for the sound recordings used in its customisable internet radio service. Michael Huppe, CEO of SoundExchange, says, “AccuRadio has directly harmed creators over the years by refusing to pay royalties for the use of protected recordings. Today, SoundExchange is standing up for creators through this lawsuit to protect the value of music and ensure creators are compensated fairly for their work”.
Digital
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Apple has launched a new weekly classical music chart, the Apple Classical Top 100, available in the Apple Music Classical app. The chart combines data from Apple Music Classical streams, Apple Music streams, iTunes downloads, iTunes song sales and Shazam tags, updating every Monday. “Apple Music Classical has been a huge hit with classical fans around the world”, says Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music and Beats. The inaugural chart is topped by pianist Tianqi Du’s album of Bach keyboard concertos, with Du commenting, “I'm deeply honoured for my latest album to be top of the first Apple Classical 100 chart”.
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Submix, an audio technology company, has closed a $1 million funding round. The platform, now available worldwide for Mac users, facilitates remote collaboration between music creators. CEO Paul Jeszenszky says, “We believe by creating a more connected and collaborative workflow, we can unearth more opportunities for anyone currently or looking to work in professional audio”.
Other Industry News
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Cross sector trade group UK Music says that music tourism in the UK generated £8 billion in spending and attracted 19.2 million visitors in 2023, a 33% increase from 2022. The organisation’s research shows domestic music tourism rose by 36%, with 18.2 million UK-based fans travelling to events, whilst foreign music tourists slightly decreased to 1.014 million. “In 2023, music pulled more than 19 million tourists into local areas and supported £8 billion of spending in local economies across the UK”, says UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl. The report also notes ongoing challenges for independent festivals and grassroots venues, with the Association of Independent Festivals reporting 50 UK festivals have been cancelled or postponed for 2024.
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Grub Records, a new record shop and wine bar in Sheffield, has launched a Crowdfunder campaign to raise £2500 for its opening. The venue, established by a team of DJs and promoters, aims to become a hub for record collectors in the area. “Donating here will help us hit the ground running, and allow us to stock the shop with a wider selection of the very best new releases, reissues and compilations”, says the Crowdfunder page.
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Music Venue Trust has announced its tenth annual Venues Day event, to be held on 8 Oct at Woolwich Works in London. The gathering, which focuses on the UK’s grassroots music venue sector, will this year emphasise the importance of artists to the industry. “This year we want to recognise and celebrate the artist community without whom we wouldn't exist and for whom we continue to strive”, says Beverley Whitrick, Chief Operating Officer at Music Venue Trust. Hundreds of delegates representing over 850 UK grassroots music venues are expected to attend, with headline sponsors Ticketmaster and Fred Perry offering subsidised passes and travel bursaries to ensure widespread participation.
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The Worldwide Independent Network, the global organisation for indie labels, has launched its Supporters programme with Bandcamp, Marauder and Random Sounds as inaugural partners. This initiative offers companies a connection to the global independent music community, allowing them to support WIN’s work and engage with independent entrepreneurs. “I am delighted to welcome Bandcamp, Marauder and Random Sounds as our first supporters, demonstrating their commitment to global diversity and innovation”, says Noemí Planas, WIN CEO. The programme aims to assist WIN in continuing its work of facilitating connections between independents worldwide through events, promoting independent music values and levelling the industry playing field.
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The Ivors Academy has launched a Friends scheme at its Annual General Meeting and Summer Party, inviting global supporters to join its mission of empowering songwriters and composers. The initiative, part of the Academy’s 80th anniversary, aims to build an extended community of music enthusiasts and industry professionals. Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of the organisation, states: “We want everyone, anywhere in the world that loves music and appreciates songwriters and composers to become part of The Ivors Academy, and support our mission to protect and empower our writers”. Neri also emphasises the need to grow industry recognition for composition, fight devaluing practices, advocate for better royalty splits, and lobby for composers’ rights in AI.
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Queen Mary University Of London researcher Madeline Hamilton has found that vocal arrangements in popular music have become simpler since 1950. Her study, published in Scientific Reports, analysed over 1000 pop songs to track changes in melodic complexity. In one example, Hamilton contrasts Joe Stafford’s rhythmically free 1952 hit ‘You Belong To Me’ with Lady Gaga’s 2008 song ‘Poker Face’, which features a simpler vocal melody. “Pop songs today have so many layers, there’s so many different textures of sounds”, Hamilton notes, suggesting that simpler melodies may compensate for more complex instrumental arrangements in modern productions.
Artist News
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Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation has expanded its Metallica Scholars Initiative to all 50 US states and Guam, investing $75,000 in each of eighteen new community colleges. The programme, which supports career and technical education, now spans 60 colleges and has invested over $10.5 million in workforce development since its 2019 launch. “We are reaching even further for year six of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This year, our programme will be in 60 schools in all 50 states!” says Metallica frontman James Hetfield. The initiative estimates it will have helped more than 8000 students gain skills for meaningful careers by the end of its sixth year.
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Frank Ocean and producer Michael Uzowuru have been collaborating on new music in Miami, according to a recent New York Times article. Ocean, who hasn’t released an album since 2016’s ‘‘Endless’’ and ‘Blonde’, describes Uzowuru as a trusted creative confidant. “Michael is a friend I talk to about where I’m at artistically very often”, Ocean told the Times. Uzowuru, who has worked with Ocean since 2009, adds, “I couldn't love him or care about him more. He’s separate from everyone else. He’s family”.
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Snoop Dogg will carry the Olympic torch on the final leg of its journey in Saint-Denis, France, ahead of Friday’s Paris 2024 opening ceremony. The American rapper, who will serve as an NBC special correspondent for the games, announced the news on Instagram, stating, “U ready? Paris 2024 Olympics ya digg”. Snoop joins a roster of notable torchbearers including French rapper MC Solaar and actress Laetitia Casta. “I'm THRILLED to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris”, Snoop said in an earlier statement about his Olympics role.
Releases & Tours
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LSDXOXO has released his new single ‘GHOST’, featuring Kelela.
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JADE (AKA Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix) has released her debut solo single ‘Angel Of My Dreams’.
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SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE have released two new singles ‘SOMETHING’S ENDING’ + ‘I'VE BEEN EVIL’. Their new album ‘YOU’LL HAVE TO LOSE SOMETHING’ is out 23 Aug.
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Yannis & The Yaw (the collaboration between Foals’ Yannis Philippakis and Tony Allen) have released their new single ‘Rain Can't Reach Us’.
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Larry June has released his new single ‘Like A Mack’.
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have released their new single ‘Long Dark Night’. Their new album ‘Wild God’ is out 30 Aug.
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Joey Valence & Brae have released their new single ‘PACKAPUNCH’, featuring Danny Brown.
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Madison Beer has released her new single ‘15 MINUTES’.
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Dummy have released their new single ‘Nine Clean Nails’. Their new album ‘Free Energy’ is out 6 Sep.
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SWMRS have announced a UK headline tour, kicking off at Night & Day in Manchester on 19 Nov. Tickets go on sale this Friday here.