New Signings & Team-Ups: June 14
ED KUEPPER GOES BANANAS AT ABC MUSIC
After what he called “furious bidding”, Ed Kuepper’s The Aints are now with ABC Music.
The band, which also includes Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys) and Paul Larsen (The Celibate Rifles) are playing the traps this month, and have their debut album The Church Of Simultaneous Existence out in spring.
We’re not sure about the bananas but it must have something to do with the fact that The Kuep is from Queensland.
WALK LIKE A DINOSAUR
I OH YOU/Liberator Music have the Australian and New Zealand rights to Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, an extension of their long time touring relationship.
They’ve issued a single ‘Leave A Light On’.
TEED was born Orlando Higginbottom in the UK, and is a producer, songwriter, vocalist, composer and DJ based in Los Angeles.
His father was professor of music at Oxford University’s New College.
Raised on classical music — Rossini, Holst and Gershwin were early favourites — he discovered jungle and drum ‘n’ bass as a teen at Oxford’s legendary record shop Avid.
Dropping out of university was inevitable.
MOANING LISA GET THE HYSTERICS
Canberra band Moaning Lisa have joined the Hysterical Records and issued the single ‘Good’ which captures their signature ‘90s alt sound.
The track follows ‘Carrie (I Want A Girl)’ which got strong community radio spirit and ranked #50 on the top 50 most played tracks in 2018 at triple j.
The band, who met at music school, are this week touring through Victoria before heading off to Brisbane and then the Yours & Owls festival in Wollongong.
NICHE, SWEAT IT OUT, ADD POLOSHIRT
Niche adds POLOSHIRT to its talent agency in conjunction with UNDR CTRL!
POLOSHIRT is the collaboration between funk soul singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist Winston Surfshirt and electro-themed live production duo Polographia.
They are already announced for Curve Ball and Listen Out.
The act is also with Sweat It Out and announced its debut single ‘Pinned Upon’.
WHO THREW PARCELS ON THE ROOF?
Byron Bay band Parcels, now based in Berlin, decided to do something special to mark new single ‘Tieduprightnow’ amassing more than 5 million streams in a month.
They have released a vibrant live session of the song filmed atop a New York City rooftop.
The session was filmed while the group were in town for their sold out Bowery Ballroom show – their first-ever NYC show.
The band’s debut full length album is set to arrive later this year on Kitsuné/Because Music distributed by Caroline.
PUTTING NERVO OVER THE NET
A partnership by Aussie electro-duo Nervo with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) sees them write and record ‘Worlds Collide’ as the official anthem of the global competition Volleyball Nations League.
Liv Nervo said, “As Australians, we’re no strangers to sport but the party atmosphere of VNL matches is pretty special.
“The energy between the players and the fans has been at the heart of the collaboration, and we can’t wait to be in Canada to add ‘Worlds Collide’ to the mix.”
TMOMATIC LANDS ROLE IN MANDELA MUSICAL
Tim Omaji (aka Timomatic) is part of the cast of MADIBA The Musical – A Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela.
It makes its Australian premiere in October in Melbourne, before moving to Sydney in November and then Canberra.
Omaji plays young black activist Sam Onatou who meets Mandela in prison and is overwhelmed by his charisma.
NZ INDIE-FOLK DUO SIGN WITH NETTWERK
Nettwerk Records signed New Zealand based ethereal, indie/folk duo Terrible Sons.
They are wife and husband Lauren and Matthew Barus.
By his full name, Matius Putra Suranta Karo-Karo Rumahgalo Richard Barus shuttled between the contrasting worlds of bustling, tropical Java, Indonesia, and the quiet calm of suburban New Zealand, only a few hours from where Lauren grew up on an orchard in a small agricultural town.
Their work, written and whispered late at night, is mostly about relationships, with each other and those around them, and the doubts and small joys of life.
DOING THE HARD YARDS
Brewer Victoria Bitter is bringing back VB HARD YARDS, putting bands from Queensland, ACT, NSW and Victoria on the road together in October.
Ross Knight (Cosmic Pyschos) explains, “It’s hard work for touring bands. Booking supports, venues, lighting, logistics, luggage, and even just establishing an audience for your band in different cities, is no easy feat.
“But VB are going to give three young bands the chance to get a bit of help with load in … so to speak.”
Bands can enter at www.victoriabitter.com/hardyards by July 15.
The lineup is announced in August, with winners getting $5000 cash and a pre-paid rehearsal room.
Dates are:
Wed October 3 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Thurs October 4 – The Foundry, Brisbane
Fri October 5 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
Sat October 6 – The Lansdowne, Sydney
SONY GETS CANDESCENT
Sony Music Entertainment Australia released debut single ‘Boyfriend’ by The Candescents – the newest signing to Dirty Hit. An EP is due soon.
The band from The Columbus, Ohio, tour North America this month with We Are Scientists.
SEATGEEK, SNAPCHAT, SELL TICKETS DIRECTLY
SeatGeek, which says its mission “is to get fans to more live events” says it’s doing that with a US partnership with Snatchat, “an incredible opportunity for teams and artists to increase discovery of their events, while also potentially rewarding their most dedicated fans with exclusive offers.”
THRICE AT COOKING VINYL
Innovative Orange County band Thrice have their single ‘The Grey’ out in this country through Cooking Vinyl Australia.
It comes as part of a deal they struck in America with Epitaph.
“We grew up listening to and being inspired by Epitaph bands, and have always admired and respected the label’s independent spirit and ethics,” said the band in a statement.
“To finally be a part of the family there is an absolute honor, and we couldn’t be more excited about our future with them.”
TIDAL AND SOCCER TEAM
JAY-Z is a huge fan of the Arsenal soccer team, so it’s not surprising that his streaming service has signed a £1million deal with the team.
Arsenal fans who have bought platinum or gold memberships with the club for next season will be granted a free six month subscription to Tidal’s hi-fi service, while silver and red members get access to the premium service.
Some of its star players also share their playlists on the platform.
BANKS FINDS AGENCY
Sydney singer-songwriter Kota Banks who’s wracked up millions of streams for her records and currently working on a mixtape with producers Swick and Touch Sensitive, assigned her live bookings to New World Artists.
Her new single ‘Fiorentina’ feat Capo Lee and produced by Swick, comes with an Italian version, and cover art shot by Nina Las Vegas’ dad taken at her nonnas house.
KOBALT TAPS INTO LATIN URBAN
Kobalt signed a worldwide deal with Puerto Rican-based reggaeton and Latin trap singer-songwriter Ozuna.
His full name is Juan Carlos Ozuna Rosado.
“We are extremely proud to welcome the star of the Latin Urban genre, Ozuna, to the Kobalt family,” said Kobalt Music president, Latin America, Nestor Casonu. “His talent and versatility are impressive.”
Ozuna’s videos have generated 10 billion views.
He is the only independent artist in urban Latin music who has managed to get five tracks into the Apple Music Top 10 simultaneous.