DEALS
🕊️
Sony Music Publishing has signed a deal with the Otis Redding estate to administer the late musician’s catalogue of songs in the US. “For over 50 years I have been diligent to make sure Otis’s legacy remains relevant and recognisable around the world”, says his widow Zelma Redding. “I feel that the Sony Music Publishing team can assist my family in this never-ending effort”.
APPOINTMENTS
💡
US merch company Global Merchandising has hired Lisa Streff as SVP Licensing & Brand Development. She has previously held roles at Bravado and Epic Rights. “With a successful track record in music merchandising, Lisa has been instrumental in developing merchandise and licensing programmes for some of the biggest artists in the world, including Kiss, Aerosmith and Def Leppard”, says Global Chair Barry Drinkwater. “Her expertise will make her a valuable addition to our team, leading Global’s North American efforts as we continue to build and grow our artists’ programmes”.
LEGAL
❌
A sexual assault case against former Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow has been dismissed at the request of his anonymous accuser. She filed a motion to dismiss on Sunday, citing “fear of potential grave harm” as a result of moves by Portnow’s legal team to have her name revealed in court documents and a dispute with her own lawyers. She will be able to resubmit the case in the future.
DISTRIBUTION
🚀
Sony Music’s AWAL has partnered with Creative Futures Collective to launch the AWAL Futures programme - an initiative to launch and support the careers of artists from underrepresented communities. The first acts to benefit are Bitters, NanaBcool and Jay Wood. “Our core mission is to partner with independent artists to tell stories that shape culture, so joining forces with CFC is a natural partnership”, says AWAL CEO Lonny Olinick.
MEDIA
💤
Zayn Malik is the latest musician to read to your kids on ‘CBeebies Bedtime Story’. Interested toddlers will be able to hear him run through ‘Music Is In Everything’ by Ziggy Marley from tomorrow, Malik being a big fan of Ziggy’s dad. “I chose this book because I love Bob Marley, and because music and reading are both important to me as a parent”, says Malik. “I sing to my daughter at night-time when she goes to sleep and I read to her at bedtime too. I feel like this will be something really cool to show her, so I’m up for reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story!”
GIGS & FESTIVALS
🐇
Glastonbury has announced two new venues for 2024 - The Wishing Well, which will be “a place in which to ignite your deepest desires and unfurl your wildest wishes”, and “utterly delicious femme-queer venue” Scissors. Both will replace The Rabbit Hole, which has been part of the festival for seventeen years.
🔥
Bob Vylan have announced UK tour dates in October and November, finishing up with a performance at Brixton Electric in London on 7 Nov. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
RELEASES
🤍
Mike Lindsay has released new single ‘Pretender To Surrender’ featuring Anna B Savage. His debut solo album 'Supershapes Volume 1’ is out on 14 Jun.
🕳️
Why? will release their eight studio album ‘The Well I Fell Into’ on 2 Aug. Out now is its first single ‘The Letters, Etc’.
👽
Reb Fountain has released a cover of ‘How Bizarre’. Yes, that ‘How Bizarre’.
🐚
Clamm have announced that they will release new EP ‘Disembodiment’ on 19 Jul. Out now is new single ‘Change Enough’.