Industrial Strength: New Signings and Team-Ups w/e March 27
The Janoskians join Republic in America
Melbourne-based The Janoskians have signed in the US with Republic Records, home to Florence And The Machine, Of Monsters And Men, Angel Haze, Psy, James Blake and Ariana Grande. In a video message to their fans, the band reported, “They’ve given us full creativity and options.” They plan to work on their debut album, following up club tracks Set This World On Fire and Best Friends. The act signed with Sony in 2012 for Australia.
Sheppard become first Aussies on Decca
Brisbane’s Sheppard of Let Me Down Easy fame have become the first Australian act to sign to the UK’s Decca Records – original home to The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones and The Moody Blues. “The sense of history we feel being the first Australian band with a label like Decca with such a long and important tradition is really amazing,” said vocalist George Sheppard. Decca is released worldwide through Universal. They remain independent in Australia with Empire of Song/Chugg Music. Sheppard are in the US this week setting up the world release of new single Geronimo.
Hines, Sultan, ambassadors for Record Store Day
Ambassadors for Record Store Day Australia are Marcia Hines and Dan Sultan as well as UK tour manager Tim Dalton (Costello, Faith No More) and British band Mott singer Ian Hunter. The Day, organised by The Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA) is to remind fans of the important role music stores play in sourcing new music.
UK’s Darlia latest Dew Process darlings
Dew Process’ latest signing is British trio Darlia, whom BBC Radio described as “The most exciting new guitar band in the UK.” The act made a splash in the UK with debut single Queen Of Hearts, which also got played on triple j. An Australian exclusive Candyman EP is due out April 11.
ARN, Moment Media, make new Kyle & Jackie O site
Australian Radio Network has teamed with digital company Moment Media to build Sydney’s KIIS 1065’s Kyle & Jackie O’s new website. Moment’s owner Ron Creevey calls it “the first dedicated social platform that aggregates and manages all social media feeds and social activity in the one exciting place.” It collects all Kyle & Jackie O and KIIS 1065 content from their social media platforms and updates every five minutes with any mention or hashtags. Listeners can hear Jackie’s weekly playlist, purchase songs from the Top 40, live stream the show, interact with other listeners and speak directly to the pair. The technology is powered by Moment Media’s content partner YuuZoo.
Shock gets Wunder-ful
Shock Records has signed Los Angeles-based Melbourne-formed Wunder Wunder aka production duo Aaron Shanahan and Benjamin Plant. After years making electronic music, their two years in Los Angeles has seen them shift to psychedelic ’60s and ’70s pop, evidenced on new single Coastline.
New home to hang up Jamm for Genes
NSW’s Rooty Hill RSL has come in as sponsor for Jamm for Genes and will also host the on Saturday May 24 event at its 732-seat Tivoli Showroom. The club showcases country music, so the event is now branded Total Country Jamm for Genes. The night is headlined by Catherine Britt. The fund raiser for children’s medical research began in the Blue Mountains.
US content creator for Aussie radio launches new format
Washington DC/Baltimore based New Generation Radio, which advises and creates content for Australian radio networks, has launched its first music format Smash Hits. It focuses on the 30-50 retro demographic. New Generation also works with radio in North America, Europe and New Zealand.