Lorde signs $2.5m publishing deal

Lorde has signed a publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing worth up to $2.5 million Billboard reports.

The deal, which includes Lorde’s (real name Ella Yellich O’Connor) debut EP The Love Club, worldwide hit full length Pure Heroine and any future recordings, puts an end to a month’s-long bidding-war, where the majority of the global publishing giants were vying to work with the 17-year-old songwriter.

But it was the boutique outfit, Songs Music Publishing Inc. that came out on top. Founder/CEO Matt Pincus credited the deal to the company’s head of A&R Ron Perry for his persistence, having followed Lorde on nearly all of her US tour dates.

“She could have signed anywhere she wanted to sign, and I don’t know what other people were offering, but as we often say — music publishing is about relationships and it’s about people,” Pincus said of the deal. “Ron really connected with Ella and vice versa, and it’s really a tremendous opportunity for us. I’m incredible proud to be Ella’s publisher — we think she’s a once-in-a-generation type artist.”

Songs Music Publishing executives haven’t commented on the exact terms of the deal, but The Wall Street Journal reports other publishers said some bids had reached $4 million.

Lorde’s team said they chose a company that promised to both seek new digital revenue channels, as well as nurture her creative career.

“Even before signing her they were bringing her options for collaborations and introducing her to other songwriters,” said Lorde’s manager Tim Youngson. “The decision wasn’t made on money.”

The young singer/songwriter celebrated her 17th birthday by officially signing the publishing deal on November 7 but Perry had already thrown in a few early gifts: introducing Lorde to fellow Songs clients like the Weeknd and Diplo for potential collaborations.

“She’s gonna be a really big songwriter outside of Lorde,” said Perry to Billboard. “She’s going to have a lot of big songs out there as Ella, and it’s a great feeling that we can be at a place that understands music comes first and foremost.”