New Signings & Team-Ups: Feb 16
Our Watch benefits from Hozier’s domestic violence track
Not for profit association Our Watch was selected as the Australian charity that will benefit from Hozier’s Cherry Wine. The track was released on YouTube on Valentine’s Day to highlight the issue of domestic violence. Proceeds go to a series of international domestic abuse charities (including Shine in New Zealand) as part of a #FaceUpToDomesticViolence campaign.
Hozier (pictured) wrote the song from the male perspective of an abuse sufferer. Its accompanying video features two-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan as a woman dealing with a physically abusive relationship.
Mary Barry, CEO of Our Watch, points out, “Violence against women and their children is at emergency levels in Australia. One woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner and thousands more are injured or made to live in fear. It’s everyone’s responsibility to challenge violence, discrimination and violence supportive attitudes. We are thankful and commend Hozier and everyone involved in this campaign – having such powerful role models speak out against this violence is fundamental to achieving change.”
In Australia, one in four women experiences physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. Intimate partner violence contributes to more death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 than any other preventable risk factor.
Domestic or family violence against women is the single largest driver of homelessness for women. Domestic or family violence against women results in a police call-out on average once every two minutes across the country.
Native Tongue assigned Jezabels publishing
Along with the worldwide release of their third album Synthia, The Jezabels have assigned their publishing to Native Tongue. The company’s Matt Tanner stated, “As long time fans of The Jezabels, we’re really excited to be joining them on the next part of what has been quite an extraordinary journey so far. Synthia is a truly accomplished body of work and we take pleasure in being a part of the team”.
Synthia was released last Friday via MGM in Australia/New Zealand, The Groove Merchants in US, Caroline in UK/EU and Dine Alone in Canada.
SIXX:A.M. getting Aussie release on Eleven/ Sony
SIXX:A.M., the US band featuring former Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Dj Ashba, and vocalist/producer James Michael, will be released in this territory by Eleven A Music Company and Sony Music Entertainment Australia. A single, the call to arms Rise, is out on March 1, to be followed by the first volume of a double album.
Gordi lands US deal with Jagjaguwar
Sydney composer and performer Gordi has landed a US deal with Jagjaguwar label (home to Bon Iver, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Foxygen). She releases herself in Australia and New Zealand via her own imprint Hey Alfafa. Gordi has just dropped a remix of Courtney Barnett’s Avant Gardener.
Meantime, Gordi’s recent sign-ons with booking agencies Billions (US) and Coda (UK) are kicking in. She is to open for three UK shows for Norwegian outfit Highasakite (May 22 to 24) after which she flies to America to play Washington’s Sasquatch Festival May 27 to 30.
Melbourne’s Saatsuma lands two deals
Electro-soul Saatsuma, which started out last year as a studio project by Memphis Kelly, Joel Ma and Cesar Rodrigues, is expanding quickly. It’s signed its recording to Blank Tape, which drops debut single Storm on April 1, ahead of its parent EP mid-year. The outfit, which makes its live debut at Shebeen in Melbourne on the day, has also joined the 123 Agency for bookings.
UNFD adds Brisbane punk rock band Columbus
UNFD has inked Brisbane punk band Columbus, releasing new single Replace Me as a taster to their debut album set to drop later in the year. UNFD’s Luke Logemann said, “Columbus are a band everyone at UNFD is falling in love with right now. “They write amazing songs and make them sound even better live. Replace Me is already one of the best Australian summer jams of 15/16!”
Columbus weren’t always punkoids: Childhood friends Alex Moses and Daniel Seymour met bass player Ben Paynter in their high school jazz band. The shift to three chords came in 2012. Their Home Remedy from January 2015 was downloaded over 3500 times on Bandcamp alone, while the track Hospital got spins on community radio.
NY’s visionary Xenia Rubinos gets antified
Brooklyn hip hop, R&B and jazz singer Xenia Rubinos has been punching buttons in America and Europe for her genre-hopping live sets and her self-released debut Magic Trix in 2012. Now Anti through Warner Music has got her on board for further record releases.
Dew Process / UMA expand international lineup
Latest international signing to Dew Process / UMA is fuzz-drenched garage punk band from Manchester, Spring King. Their City single was chosen by Apple’s Beats 1 curator Zan Lowe as first song played on the service. Who Are You was on high rotation on triple j which debuted new track Rectifier last week.
MusicNT announces Desert Divas record
MusicNT brings back its Indigenous women’s Desert Divas album series for the second, time following the first one in 2012. Vol 2 is the result of eight emerging artists selected to participate in a mentoring and skills development program. The album, produced by Anna Laverty, showcase songs written during the sessions.
MusicNT Central Australian Manager Adelaide Wood said the program would provide the eight with “a unique opportunity to develop their skills and get their music on a national platform.” It is held in Alice Springs (February 28 to March 18) with mentors as Laverty (who’s worked with Nick Cave, Cut Copy and Paul Dempsey), Dallas Frasca, Leah Flanagan, Ursula Yovich (The Sapphires), Nai Palm (Hiatus Koyote) and Stephanie Harrison (of Alice’s Bat Hazzard).
Pride & Joy for Alberto Rigoni.
Pride & Joy Music made a home for Italian bass player and composer Alberto Rigoni. His fifth solo album Bassorama, out in April, cuts through funk, electro, pop, rock and experimental. It features appearances by bassists Doug Wimbish (Living Colour, who toured Australia with Mick Jagger’s band), Divinity Roxx (Beyoncé), Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (Prince), Steve Lawson, Anna Sentina, Lars Lehmann (UFO, Vinnie Moore) and Remco Hendrix.
123 Agency picks up Eden Mulholland …
Melbourne’s 123 Agency’s latest roster addition is folk-rock performer and film/TV/ dance composer Eden Mulholland. His second album Hunted Haunted came out late last year while the pop rock single The New Old Fashioned has just been given a laid back synth remix by Marat Sad’s (Samuel Lockwood of The Jezabels) with a video directed by Jacob Edmonds.
… and Clea
123 already brought on Brisbane singer songwriter Clea (pronounced Clay), whose second single Dire Consequences has just been released. Last year Clea nabbed a spot in the top 10 triple j Unearthed Quiet Achievers list following the release of debut Polyester, and played solo shows. She also sang with Zefereli, a project formed by The Cairos’ front man Alistar Richardson.
Two for Metalapolis
Two new signings for Metalapolis Records are Blasted To Static (lead by Racer X singer Jeff Martin) whose debut album is out in May/June, and German heavy rock veterans ZAR also drop around that time their first album in 13 years.
Strictly Ballroom heads to UK
A co-production by Global Creatures (Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular, How To Train Your Dragon, King Kong) and the UKs West Yorkshire Playhouse, sees Strictly Ballroom The Musical waltzing to the UK for a season between late November and January. The production, directed and choreographed by young new UK theatre bright light Drew McOnie, is based on the Australian production created by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin in 2014 and based on their ‘90s hit film of that name.
Another sponsor for The Wiggles
Another sponsor for The Wiggles is pharmaceuticals company Alphapharm-Mylan. They will jointly create a campaign to promote allergy awareness.
Two more departures from Spinnin’ Records
After Dutch DJ superstar Martin Garrix left Spinnin’ Records and sister company MusicAllstars Management (with legalities following over alleged breach of contract), Dutch DJ Julian Jordan and Danish DJ and producer Mike Hawkins announced they too have left the two companies.
Presto appoints Match Media
Streaming video on demand player Presto appointed Match Media to handle its media buying, moving from co-parent Foxtel’s Incumbent Mindshare. It’s not sure what Presto’s media spend is, but Nielsen estimates that rivals Netflix and Stan jointly spent $14.8 million last year.
Atlantis taps on Matt Chromatic
The Titans-themed EDM festival Atlantis announced that award winning Matt Chromatic will design the spectacular stage. It lands at Allphones Arena, Sydney (March 11), Petro City Perth (12) and Hisense Arena, Melbourne (13).
The festival said, “From the moment you enter the gates of the city until you leave, you will be treated to a fully immersive production experience, lights, lasers, sound, pyro & effects. We will also tell you a story throughout the night. This is unlike any other show you have seen and we look forward to welcoming you to our annual gathering.”
Bowie tribute night raising funds for Cancer Council
Brisbane events and PR company Mucho Bravado and The Foundry are raising money for the Cancer Council Queensland through a David Bowie tribute night. Called Ziggy Played Guitar, it is on Sunday February 21 with five bands. Headlining are The John Steel Singers with punk rock WAAX, indie rock Born Joy Dead, electro-R&B Miko Sun and neo-soul Inigo.
Tickets were half sold even before acts were unveiled. Organisers insist it won’t be “another” tribute night but carefully set up. Guests include the Bowie-esque figure Spencer White (Morning Harvey), Dean McGrath (Rolls Bayce), Emma Dean, Edward Guglielmino, Shem Allen and DJs sets from The Jensens.