I Oh You Launches Publishing Division (EXCLUSIVE)

I Oh You is branching out with the launch of a publishing division, The Music Network can exclusively reveal.

The new enterprise, I Oh You Publishing, is set to be announced Wednesday afternoon (April 5), and opens for business with two signings — the rising artists/songwriters Caleb Doe, who performs as dœgægé, and Sam Windley.

“Publishing has always been of interest to us,” explains Johann Ponniah, founder and director of the eclectic, boutique label, “but it was the crossing of paths with two young songwriters that led us to feel like now was the right time to put a proper set up together.”

With I Oh You Publishing, the indie business will continue and expand its relationship with Mushroom Group, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.

“Over the years we’ve been lucky enough to connect and learn from exceptional songwriters, artists and producers from Australia and around the world,” adds Ponniah, “and we’re now looking forward to being able to work with them from a publishing side, in partnership with the incredible team at Mushroom Music, the leading independent publisher in Australia and New Zealand, who also share a passion and focus for the development of artists and writers.”

Caleb Doe, AKA dœgægé

Caleb Doe is a prolific, 20-year-old multi-instrumentalist, producer, artist and songwriter who hails from Auckland and is now based in Melbourne.

Stablemate Sam Windley, notes Ponniah, has a knack for “cutting lyricism and off kilter pop writing” and recently signed to Eric J Dubowsky and James Roberts’ Major Minor label, with an EP “coming soon.”

I Oh You was formed in 2009, initially as an indie club night before branching out as a label, tour promoter, blog and management company.

Over the years, the brand has worked with artists such as Violent Soho, SOHN, Hot Chip, DZ Deathrays, DMA’S, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Royal Blood, Lapsley, Shamir, City Calm Down and more.

Sam Windley

Today, the business sits within the two-dozen-strong Mushroom Group of companies.

“We have always trusted Johann’s ears and his passion for great songs,” comments Mushroom Music Publishing managing director Linda Bosidis. “It made perfect sense to extend our long-standing partnership to a publishing venture together.”

I Oh You is enjoying a hot streak.

At the 2022 AIR Awards in Adelaide, I Oh You collected independent label of the year honors for the third time, becoming the first company to do so.

Meanwhile, the label’s starry indie-rock act DMA’S is riding high at No. 3 on the midweek U.K. albums chart with How Many Dreams? Other label signings include Confidence Man and Jack River.

“We’re really excited about this new chapter for I Oh You,” notes Ponniah, “and looking forward to getting deep in it.”