DEALS
Hipgnosis has acquired the writer’s share of performing rights income related to the catalogue of songwriter David Foster. “David is recognised globally as one of the greatest songwriters and producers of all time”, says CEO Merck Mercuriadis. “He is the songwriters’ songwriter and the producers’ producer. David is truly special, and we are delighted to be working with his almost 50 years of incredible songs and to welcome him to the Hipgnosis family”.
APPOINTMENTS
Warner Chappell has promoted Claire McAuley to EVP Global Rights Management. “Our strategy at Warner Chappell Music is to do everything it takes to get our songwriters paid for their music, wherever in the world their songs are used”, she says. “We’ve made considerable investments in our people and our systems over the past few years, and our songwriters are already noticing the benefits of these changes. But there’s even more we can do as the music ecosystem continues to evolve”.
Web3 media company Public Pressure has launched a new music division, Public Pressure Music. It is headed up by Stephen King, who previously held senior roles at music distributor and services company Believe. “The ambition and vision of Public Pressure is incredible”, says King. “They are leading the way in their field and creating new opportunities for music and other creative industries to work together in the exciting new environment of the metaverse. I’m very much looking forward to leading Public Pressure Music and bringing my experience to their global team while helping them build on their excellent work to date”.
MARKETING & PR
Marketing agency WMA has launched a new office in Sweden. Global Vice President Crystina Cinti says: "Over the last few years we have been fortunate to work with incredible partners including Universal, Sony and Netflix in the Nordics and we are now excited to announce we are officially launching WMA Sweden. We recognise this opportunity to strengthen our local presence and expertise as part of our European expansion plans and further deepen our global offering”.
RELEASES
Everything But The Girl have released new single ‘No One Knows We’re Dancing’. “The song is a eulogy to the heyday of packed Sunday clubs - the faces, the secret life, the clubs where Ben DJed in the early 2000s”, says the duo’s Tracey Thorn.
Sufjan Stevens will release new album ‘Reflections’ on 19 May, a studio recording of his score for the ballet of the same name, performed by pianists Timo Andres and Conor Hanick. From it, this is ‘Ekstasis’.
Squid have released new single ‘Undergrowth’, taken from their new album ‘O Monolith’, which is out on 9 Jun. “‘Undergrowth’ was written from the perspective of me being reincarnated as a bedside table in the afterlife, and how the thought of being reincarnated as an inanimate object would be dreadful”, says vocalist Ollie Judge. The single has an accompanying video game, which you can play here.
GIGS & TOURS
Mac DeMarco will play three nights at London’s Hackney Empire from 30 Jul to 1 Aug, in support of new album ‘Five Easy Hot Dogs’. Announcing the shows, he says: “Should be nice, should be different. Hopefully, it will be special”. Tickets go on sale on Friday.
Jai Paul will play two nights at Outernet in London on 9 and 10 May. Tickets will be distributed via a ballot. Sign up before 10am on 3 May on Paul’s website to be in with a chance.