Grow Yourself Up, Su:ku:ya and Bossy Music Form Management Collective Ripple Effect (EXCLUSIVE)

Three of Australia’s leading artist managers are joining forces on Ripple Effect, a new collective that pools resources and know-how across its roster, TMN can exclusively reveal.

The new venture is led by Greg Carey (Grow Yourself Up), Adrian McGruther (su:ku:ya) and Claire Collins (Bossy Music), whose respective businesses represent some of the country’s leading homegrown acts, from The Rubens to Gordi and D.D Dumbo (co-managed with Danny Rogers of Lunatic), and a growing stable of rising stars including Sycco (co-managed with Summer King of Topic Artists), Harley Alaska (co-managed with Bill Cullen of One Louder), Stevan (co-managed with Sam Margin) and Mia Wray.

Those existing management clients and the triumvirate’s staff are now unified under a single umbrella, the focus of which is on providing its signings with a “broad scope of networks, resources and opportunities,” reads a statement, “while also providing its managers with a sound foundation of support and development.”

A year in the making, Ripple Effect is officially unveiled ahead of Bigsound 2022, where several of its artists will perform

From this point on, it’ll operate on the principle that three heads are better than one.

On new signings, “we’ll decide together,” McGruther tells TMN.

“If we don’t all agree then it’s unlikely we’ll sign an artist. It doesn’t mean all three would necessarily be responsible for that artist. We’d have to agree that the artist we believe in fits with the way we work and we love the artist and feel that we can dedicate our resources to the artist.”

It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement where one or two of the founders could work across a project, or if a manager is tied-up or on the road, another manager can step in.

Ripple Effect launches with its first signing, Ashwarya, who is co-managed by Carey and McGruther.

The Australian-Indian pop artist kicks thing off with the new single and video “Can’t Relate,” and a pair of showcases at Bigsound.

The new management entity isn’t limited to performing artists, or musicians.

Its producer-writer division includes acclaimed producers Pip Norman and Rob Amoruso, producer/writer Tasker (YNG Martyr, Huskii, Tuka, Okenyo, Gold Fang) and Jack Nigro (Pacific Avenue, The Terrys, The Amity Affliction, Dune Rats and DMA’s).

And on the talent management side, its first client is sports-comedy duo Shepmates, managed in partnership with Lara McLaren of The Corner Office.

The group also unveils new recruits to help run operations and guide its signings.

Isaac Lewis, promoter of taste-making Sydney club night Bloom, will provide management services across the artist and producer divisions; Morgan Ryan will provide assistance in an operations capacity; and Michael Ridgewell continues to work in a core artist management capacity with his artists in the group.

Ripple Effect is a collaborative approach, built on communication. “Everyone has their own roster, and we have weekly updates with the team,” McGruther explains. Where opportunities come up, the founders can create the best possible fit.

Presented as the first-of-its-kind in Australia, this new management model has, at its core, an MO to help artists re-establish themselves after the crushing, years-long health crisis.

“During the pandemic we decided to join forces and combine strengths in order to provide world-class services and resources to our incredible roster,” reads a joint statement.

“We believe in the power of partnerships: with our artists, with new managers and with each other.”

The directors added, “We’ve actually all worked together across a range of projects for many years. So coming together as a collective to set up Ripple Effect has felt natural”.

Stevan, Mia Wray and Mvlholland will also represent this week at Bigsound.

RIPPLE EFFECT ARTIST ROSTER (alphabetical order)
Ashwarya
D.D Dumbo (co-managed with Danny Rogers of Lunatic)
Didirri
Gordi
Harley Alaska (co-managed with Bill Cullen of One Louder)
Leah Flanagan
Mia Wray
Micra
Mvlholland
Pleasure Coma
Rest For The Wicked (co-managed with Nick Greco of Untitled)
The Rubens
Shady Nasty
Shepmates
Stevan (co-managed with Sam Margin)
Sycco (co-managed with Summer King of Topic Artists)
Urthboy
Willaris. K
66 Records

WRITER-PRODUCER ROSTER
Rob Amoruso
Pip Norman
James Christowski
Tasker
Jack Nigro