“It was a brilliant night for our artists:” Denis Handlin on 2017 ARIA Awards

Sony Music Australia had plenty to cheer about at the 2017 ARIA Awards. Denis Handlin spoke to TMN about the label’s stellar year, and its immediate plans to take Aussie acts, Gang of Youths and Amy Shark, to global heights.

Sony Music Entertainment Australia’s sweep of last week’s ARIA’s was one of the major’s biggest tally yet.

Six of the 20 major awards were claimed by Sony artists, and this year marked the first time in 22 years it took Album of the Year.

This was won by Gang of Youths’ Go Farther In Lightness, which also went home with trophies for Best Group, Best Rock Album and Producer of the Year.

Understandably, the chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, and President of Sony Music Entertainment Asia was pretty chuffed with the result.

“It was a brilliant night for our artists,” Denis Handlin AO told TMN.

“I am extremely proud of our nominated and winning artists as well as the hard work of our passionate team at Sony Music Australia.”

One artist that the label is seriously banking on, Amy Shark, was voted Breakthrough Artist and her Night Thinker EP got Best Pop Release.

Peking Duk’s ‘Stranger’ (ft. Elliphant) was voted Song of The Year by the public, Harry Styles took Best International Artist and Daryl Braithwaite’s induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame was met with an outpouring of affection by colleagues.

Handlin explains the factors behind Sony’s success: “This business, like music itself, is always changing, which makes it both an exciting and a highly challenging industry.

“There is constant refining of how we work, and through this the A&R and marketing teams are more closely integrated than ever before.

“Most importantly, our special creative environment is strengthened through our very close partnerships with our artists on all aspects of their recording, marketing and career development.”

He adds that one of the effects of the ARIAs spotlight is that “it helps create attention from international markets to look even more closely at the Australian acts featured.”

Gangs of Youths and Amy Shark are certainly benefitting.

“We are in discussions with affiliates and partners around the world to break Gang Of Youths internationally,” Handlin said.

“They are an incredibly special band live and international touring will form an integral part of the plan.”

Right before the ARIA Awards ceremony, Amy Shark chosen as first Australian act for Apple Music’s Up Next – a huge coup for the 31-year-old who is currently supporting Sia on her Australian tour.

After a successful US, UK and Europe tour for Amy Shark this year, Handlin noted, “Right now there are some very encouraging signs at US radio and this is starting to filter through to European markets.”

Sony’s 2018 slate for Australian releases includes Shark, Peking Duk, Tash Sultana, Delta Goodrem, Samantha Jade, Jessica Mauboy, Human Nature and Guy Sebastian,“as well as some major surprise releases which we will announce further down the track.

“We are also expanding our Talentworks Parade artists, influencers and sports management roster and continuing our digital platform innovations through Sharespace and other initiatives.”

In Handlin’s eyes, the ambitious Sharespace was a big achievement in 2017, and is set to continue into next year.

“It has shown us that you can build a sustainable audience around an online format very quickly, with an active group of Generation Z on YouTube and social media that are looking for entertainment delivered on their terms and in their own youth based style.”