DEALS
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Nightwish have marked their 20th anniversary of signing to Nuclear Blast by re-signing their deal with the metal label. “20 years ago our journey together with Nuclear Blast started and the time has now come to renew our vows”, says the band’s Tuomas Holopainen. “Superbly excited to see what kind of magic we can cook up together this time!”
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Wise Music Group’s Chester Music has signed Dickson Mbi to a publishing deal, solidifying an existing relationship developing work to accompany his choreography. "I see Wise as part of my family”, he says. “So, to make this official and begin this journey of my artistic musical development means a lot to me”.
APPOINTMENTS
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Universal Music’s Interscope Geffen A&M (or IGA if you prefer) - now part of the newly formed Interscope Capitol Labels Group - has announced thirteen appointments in its pop/rock and urban divisions. So many we’re going to have to break them up into separate one liners, which sort of spoils the format of this news in brief section. Thanks, guys.
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In IGA’s pop/rock division you’ve got Michelle An (co-President of IGA and Head Of Creative Strategy), Sam Riback (co-President of IGA and Head Of Pop/Rock A&R), Matt Morris, (EVP Pop/Rock A&R), Chris Mortimer and Kirsten Stubbs (co-Heads Of Pop/Rock Digital), Adrian Amodeo (SVP Pop/Rock Marketing), and Chelsea Dodson (VP Pop/Rock Visual Creative).
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Over at IGA’s urban division, the new hires and promotions are Nicole Wyskoarko (co-President of IGA and Head Of Urban A&R), Laura Carter (EVP and Head Of Urban Marketing), Aaron ‘Dash’ Sherrod (President Of Geffen Records Urban A&R), Ramon Alvarez-Smikle (EVP and Head Of Urban Digital), Lola Plaku (SVP Urban Marketing & Strategy), and Andrew Ibea (SVP Visual Creative and Head Of Urban Creative).
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“Each of these executives exemplifies the culture of innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit and wide-ranging success that have long defined IGA”, says Interscope Capitol Labels Group CEO John Janick. “As we continue to solidify our team and finalise the redesign of our broader company, we are creating a modern music company that will set the standard for our industry and provide the optimal environment in which our artists can thrive and achieve excellence in music”.
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Absolute Label Services has announced three new hires. Dominic Squire joins as Senior Label Manager, Jimmy Smith as Campaign Coordinator, and Finn Peat in an entry level role as part of the company’s digital rights team. “As our business continues to grow, we’re delighted to be able to welcome Dominic and Jimmy to the team”, says director Mark Dowling. “Their combined industry experience is sure to be of huge benefit to our clients. We’re also pleased to be able to give Finn his start on what promises to be a successful career in the industry”.
AWARDS
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The UK’s Official Charts Company has announced the introduction of the Official Top Ten Award, which sits alongside the existing Official Number One Award. It means handing out lots more trophies, this time to artists who “cross the top ten threshold - from established acts scoring a hard-earned personal best to rising stars breaking into the top ten for the very first time”. Says CEO Martin Talbot, “Since we presented the first Number One Award in December 2011, hundreds of artists have received our iconic trophy. But following requests to create a new award to recognise a greater range of chart achievements, we’re delighted to launch the Top Ten Award”.
SXSW
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South By Southwest is underway in Austin Texas once again and here are some things to look out for if you are there. First, four UK artists who have received support from the PRS Foundation and BBC Music Introducing will perform at the British Music Embassy later this week: Bodur, Miso Extra, Sanity and Jaz Dhami. “We’re really excited to be there with them as they take on their first international showcase”, says BBC Music Introducing Editor Kelly Betts. “We believe these artists are future icons in the making. The collaboration with PRS Foundation allows us to help brilliant UK talent perform their music internationally, and together we’ve supported Self Esteem, Little Simz and Rag N Bone Man”.
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The Scotland At SXSW showcase from Wide Days will take place at The Creek And The Cave tomorrow night from 8.20pm to 2am. Performing will be Humour, Iona Zajac, Mama Terra, Neon Waltz, Rory James, Spyres and Vlure.
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Focus Wales will also be holding its SXSW showcase at The Creek And The Cave tomorrow night from 7pm to 2am. On the bill are Gruff Rhys, Islet, HMS Morris, Lemfreck, Aleighcia Scott, Minas and Otto Aday.
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Hamburg's Reeperbahn Festival will host a networking event at SXSW this week, with representatives from US, Canada and UK independent label trade bodies A2IM, CIMA and AIM in attendance. It will take place at the East Austin Hotel at 2.30pm on 14 Mar, with a showcase at Shangri-La the same evening.
GIGS & FESTIVALS
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The first names for this year’s Chaka Khan curated Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre in London have been announced. As well as Khan herself, performers will include Mica Paris, Morcheeba, Incognito, Speakers Corner Quartet, Judi Jackson and Cardinal Black. ‘It's an honour to share with you some of the brilliant artists that will be celebrating the diversity and legacy of Meltdown”, says Khan. “We are all family. Get ready to sing, dance and feel the love!”
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Real Estate have announced UK tour dates in October, kicking off with a show at St John at Hackney Church in London on 3 Oct. Tickets are on sale now.
RELEASES
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Noga Erez has released new single ‘Come Back Home’.
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Walt Disco will release their second album ‘The Warping’ on 14 Jun. Their new single ‘You Make Feel So Dumb’ is out now.
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Divorce have released new single ‘Gears’. They’ve also just announced two hometown shows at Bodega in Nottingham on 25-26 Sep and a London show at Islington Assembly Hall on 23 Oct.
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Luci has released new single ‘Thunder Calling’. Her debut album ‘They Say They Love You’ is out on 19 Apr.