‘Talent is at the core of everything we do at Sony Music’: Denis Handlin

If you want a hit record, call Denis Handlin.

The Sony Music boss might be working remotely during lockdown, but the famed record executive is still answering his phone when there’s a deal to be done.

The major label revealed a number of fresh signings and two label partnerships this week, even luring the chart-topping duo Busby Marou away from rival Warner Music.

The announcement includes the signing of producer and musician Jerome Farah and a renewed partnership with Los Angeles-based songwriting and management company, Milk & Honey.

Sony has also partnered with two indie labels, Tom Honeywill and Ben O’Connor’s Medium Rare Recordings, and Jarrad Rogers’ NOiZE Recordings.

“Talent is at the core of everything we do at Sony Music,” Handlin said, who celebrated a major milestone with the company last month after 50 years with the business.

“As a company, we are exceptionally proud to announce these exciting signings as we continue to invest in and foster incredible Australian artists.

“It is an absolute pleasure to welcome these new signings to the Sony family and we look forward to working with them to take each of their unique artistic visions to music fans.”

Busby Marou is a big get for the label after three Top 5 albums, an ARIA Award nomination and three APRA Awards. The band will release their fifth studio album “soon”.

Rogers has inked a joint venture label deal with Sony for his genre-defying creative collective NOiZE Recordings. The first signing is triple j Unearthed favourite, ASHWARYA.

In a statement on Thursday, Rogers said he had to “pinch” himself after the ink dried, and looks forward to unearthing more forward-thinking artists with Handlin and his team.

Released last month and already flying high is ‘Energy’ by Stace Cadet (which features KLP), the debut release under a brand-new agreement with Medium Rare Recordings.

The track has already graced the cover of Spotify’s Monster Dance Hits playlist, reached #5 on the Shazam Charts and is now playing on Nova Fox FM and is ATB on triple j.

As soon as we heard the first demo of ‘Energy’ we knew it was going to be something special, and we’re stoked the Sony team is on the same wavelength,” Honeywill and O’Connor said.

Sony also renewed its fruitful deal with Milk & Honey, a hookup that has delivered hit records including Guy Sebastian’s ‘Choir’ and ‘Changing’ from Conrad Sewell’s #1 album Life.

Handlin also confirmed that $320,000 has been raised from the Artists Unite For Fire Fight: Concert For National Bushfire Relief charity album which debuted at #1 on release.