DEALS
🛶
Reservoir has signed a new publishing deal with Vulfpeck’s Theo Katzman covering his work with the band and on other projects. “I’ve been waiting my whole career to find the right publisher for my music”, he says. “Once I met David [Hoffman, VP A&R & Marketing], I knew Reservoir was it!”
🇬🇧
UK collecting society PPL is to become the lead partner on the BRIT School’s Music Careers Programme in a new three year deal. "At PPL, we have seen first hand the enormous value the school brings to our industry - as well as to fans around the world”, says CEO Peter Leatham. “We are proud to become a lead partner for its music careers programme to ensure young people from all backgrounds have equity of access and opportunity to a potentially lifechanging education”.
APPOINTMENTS
🪦
Kat MacLean Daley has been appointed VP & Head of Publishing at Death Row Records. She joins from Universal Music. “Kat’s already a legend in the world of clearances and publishing, and her drive and discipline was what I wanted to bring to Death Row”, says Snoop Dogg, who acquired the label last year. “The talent that has been a part of Death Row for over 30 years deserves to have their songs heard, but also to be properly licensed and paid as songwriters and producers. I know that Kat is the right person to take care of our history, while also helping us write the story for the chapters to come. There's a Kat in the Dogg house now”.
🌳
Venue operator Oak View Group has promoted Francesca Bodie to COO. “OVG is the only company in history to build and open seven brand-new state-of-the-art venues within eighteen months, and Francesca contributed greatly to that growth and success”, says CEO Tim Leiweke. “As we look to the future, we’re honoured to have Francesca as OVG’s first COO to nurture and mature our current businesses and spearhead our next phase of growth in 2024 and beyond”.
👑
US independent live music trade body the National Independent Talent Organization has appointed Nathaniel Marro as its first Managing Director. He was previously head of the organisation’s Ticketing Taskforce. "I am extremely excited to be named NITO’s first Managing Director”, he says. “The pandemic brought a lot of the challenges of this business to light but also brought together a lot of new voices ready to collaborate and fix these issues. I look forward to working closely with NITO President Jack Randall and the board of directors to make sure we are a leading voice fighting on behalf of artists and the clients we represent to ensure this industry is a better and safer space for all”.
DIGITAL
📱
DIY distributor DistroKid has launched its first Android app. “DistroKid’s mobile app for iOS has been hugely popular”, says Chief Product Officer Matthew Ogle. “We’re so excited to give millions of Android users around the world access to the same streamlined experience, so they can distribute and manage their music directly from their mobile device”.
RELEASES
🌹
Amy Winehouse biopic ‘Back To Black’ is set for release on 12 Apr. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson - who helmed John Lennon biopic ‘Nowhere Boy’ - the film is backed by the Winehouse family.
💤
Twin Atlantic have released new single ‘Asleep’. “We really managed to recapture the joy we’ve felt about being in our weird band our whole adult lives again”, says the band’s Sam McTrusty of writing and recording the single. “We feel like it’s the perfect mix of joy, melancholy, serious subject matters, but with a throwaway attitude. Hopefully it gives people who listen the same injection of excitement it gave us. Can’t wait to play this one live”. They’ve also announced a hometown show at the Glasgow Academy on 23 May. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
GIGS & TOURS
💋
Nicki Minaj has announced UK tour dates next May, including a night at the O2 Arena in London on 28 May. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
👊
Five Finger Death Punch have announced that they will play London’s OVO Arena on 23 May.