Guy Sebastian to launch joint venture label with Sony Music, extends recording contract

Guy Sebastian is trying his hand at the business side of music.

The hitmaking pop artist partners on a new joint venture label as part of a new, long-term recording deal struck with Sony Music.

Details on the new JV will be shared in the weeks ahead, though it’s confirmed that Sebastian will take a role in “discovering and developing unique talent” across Australia.

Sebastian is “an exceptionally talented and a wonderful person,” comments Denis Handlin AO, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, on the development.

“Eighteen years after first joining the company, Guy is in the prime of his career and his most recent album is the best to date,” Handlin continues.

“We are proud and honoured to extend our partnership so that we can continue to take his career to even greater heights. We are also thrilled to launch a new JV label with Guy that will uncover and foster a new generation of Australian talent. Guy’s music will endure for decades with many more exciting opportunities and special magic moments to come.”

Musician Guy Sebastian signing with Sony Music Australia, in Sydney, today. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Sebastian and Sony Music have a long and fruitful relationship

The music major signed the singer back in 2003, after he was crowned the first Australian Idol.

Since then, he’s been one of Sony Music’s frontline domestic artists, selling more than four million albums and landing six No. 1 singles, the most by any Australian male artist in ARIA history.

Sebastian’s ninth and most album T.R.U.T.H., debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart last year, his third leader following Just As I Am (December 2003) and Armageddon (December 2012).

T.R.U.T.H. features ‘Choir,’ which took out song of the year at the 2019 ARIA Awards and ‘Standing With You,’ winner for video of the year at the 2020 ceremony, both fan-voted categories.

“I feel immensely grateful that we are now able to establish my own label as I feel it is so important at this stage of my career to nurture and develop other creatives,” comments Sebastian, in a statement issued Monday (22nd March).

“This is something I am passionate about, I find immeasurably rewarding, and it also makes me so happy. Finally a big thank you to all my fans and the industry at large; without their love and loyalty towards me and my music, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Sebastian’s year ahead includes a national tour in November and December, and he’ll return as a Coach on Channel 7’s The Voice Australia.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.