New signings and team-ups

BMG snares Robbie Williams publishing

BMG has signed a deal with Robbie Williams’ own publishing company Farrell Music Ltd, which gives it representation of all his songs on the first Take That album up to the upcoming Swings Both Ways. The rights management company already publishes Williams’ songs on his first four solo albums, including Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ, Millennium and Angels.

Niche gets Diafrix

Sydney-based Niche Agency added Melbourne hip hop duo Diafrix to its roster. African-born Momo and Azmarino came to Australia as refugees.

UNFD grime it with Hactivist

UNFD’s latest signing is five-piece UK grime/metalcore Hacktivist, known for an unusual mix of downtuned music with hard grime rapping.

Truth Corroded lie-in with AFM

Adelaide extreme thrashers Truth Corroded signed a worldwide deal with AFM Records, home of Fear Factory, GWAR, Ministry. Mors Principium Est and Soil. It will release their album The Saviours Slain in late November, complete with cover art so brutal some media outlets refuse to link it.

The Orchard launches YouTube platform to create revenue

The Orchard, distributor of indie music and videos, has launched a tracking system which will allow its YouTube-partnered label clients as Nuclear Blast, Frenchkiss Records and Pure Noise to make money from videos as soon as they are uploaded. YouTube is the main digital revenue for some of its clients, The Orchard’s CEO Brad Navin said. (Music Week).

Afrojack partners with Razer, creates app for DJs

Grammy winning DJ producer Afrojack threw his lot in with gaming and software firm Razer. He will consult on the Razer Blade Pro and a new app designed for EDM DJs and producers. He will also provide the company with insight in the recording process and the needs of DJs and producers to further develop the brand’s line of award-winning laptops and music-specific apps.

Katie Noonan ambassador for Adelaide Fringe

Katie Noonan who’s played almost every Adelaide Fringe since 1999, is ambassador for 2014’s Adelaide Fringe, replacing TV’s Paul McDermott.

Cooking Vinyl Australia provides home for Joshua James

Nebraska-born, Utah-based rock and folk singer Joshua James finally gets direct releases in Australia. A sign-up with Cooking Vinyl Australia will see his latest album From The Top Of Willamette Mountain get a deluxe edition release on November 15, to introduce him to Australian audiences.

Living Room score Australian management

Austrian act Living Room has scored Australian management with Onya Soapbox on the eve of a February/March visit, which sees them play festivals such as WOMADelaide and Queensland’s Music by the Sea, and seek collaborations with symphony and chamber orchestras, and opportunities for corporate, school and community workshops. The band consists of jazz clarinetist Christoph Pepe Auer and Bjork’s drummer Manu Delago.

MusicSA opens avenues for Adelaide jazz musos

South Australia’s peak music association MusicSA struck a deal with Adelaide Central Market to showcase live concerts by Adelaide jazz musicians fortnightly on Fridays from noon.

Samsung, Universal’s The Kleek offers headphone designs

Samsung and Universal Music’s recently launched pan-African mobile music streaming app The Kleek, which offers African and global tracks, launched a design competition for printing on an exclusive set of headphones through www.springleap.com.

Red Rock buys King Street Brewhouse

Melbourne-based publican Red Rock Leisure Group, which owns hospitality outlets around Australia, bought Sydney music venue King Street Brewhouse.