Ministry of Sound’s deal with Defected; MCN wins sales rights to MTV; JB Hi Fi and TuneCore team to stream

Ministry of Sound Australia teams with Defected

Ministry of Sound Australia teamed with international house music label Defected to bring its music and tours to Australia and New Zealand. The deal kicks off with the release of Storm Queen’s UK #1 hit Look Right Through on MOSA’s sister imprint etcetc. The deal also covers the Defected In The House compilations. On the tour side, the Defected series begins with a Pool Club party at Ivy (Sydney) on February 15, featuring US house act MK. Kenny Dope (Masters at Work) is also coming here for a Defected party in 2014.

Multiple signings for Gang of Youths

Sydney’s Gang of Youths have signed a number of deals in Australia before they relocate to the United States. They inked with Sony Music Entertainment Australia through their own Mosy Recordings. They also struck a deal with Artist Voice agency for Australasian representation and CAA for the US, UK and Europe. The band performed at the CMJ conference and some clubs in New York and currently recording their debut album with US producer Kevin McMahon in upstate NY for a September 2014 release. The band does an Australian tour run in January before returning for dates in the US and UK.

Tim Campbell making album for ABC

Stage and screen performer Tim Campbell is making an album and signed with ABC Music. High School Disco, made up of classic dancefloor hits from high school days from Madonna, Jackson 5 and Footloose, is set for an April 4 release. “I feel as if this album was in my blood from about 8 years of age,” Campbell said. “I have lived through and loved this era of music, and it continues to excite me today.”

MCN wins sales rights to MTV

The Multi Channel Network (MCN) snared the sales rights for Viacom International Media Network. It takes over from rival Ignite Media Brands on July 1. The deal covers MTV, MTV Music, MTV Dance, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr, as well as other Viacom-owned linear and digital platforms. Collectively, VIMN’s channels reach an average Australian audience of 2.4 million total people per week. MTV Australia has experienced a 16.7% year-on-year increase in share amongst its core 16-29 year old demographic, it said.

Kate Miller-Heidke gets Cooking

Kate Miller-Heidke’s crowdfunded album O Vertigo! will be released mid-March through Cooking Vinyl Australia in Australia and New Zealand, and Cooking Vinyl UK in the United Kingdon, Europe and Asia.

Lamb of God make a movie

Lamb of God entered in to a worldwide distribution deal with Specticast (Led Zeppelin’s Celebration Day, Paul McCartney’s Rock Show) for their Don Argott (Last Days Here, Art Of The Steal, School of Rock) directed feature film As The Palaces Burn will debut worldwide on February 27.

Alberts representing Neil Davidge

Alberts will represent the upcoming debut solo album Slo Light by UK trip hop pioneer Neil Davidge in Australia and New Zealand. Davidge emerged in the early ‘90s producing DNA before working extensively with Massive Attack. The solo album, to be released through Shock, is deeply-schooled in Bristol beats, electronica, soundtracks, orchestral music and features Sandie Shaw, Cate Le Bon, Karima Francis and Alberts songwriter Emi Green.

JB Hi Fi, TuneCore, team for stream

JB Hi Fi teamed with US digital music distributor TuneCore to deliver an expanded streaming service for its Music Now operation. TuneCore said JB Hi-Fi Now invested in their technology to deliver “better music discovery”.

Kelis hums a Ninja Tune

Grammy nominated Brit songstress Kelis has signed with Nina Tune (released here through Inertia) which will release her album Food on April 25. Her recent collaboration with Calvin Harris, Bounce peaking at #7 on the ARIA Single Charts and achieved triple-Platinum status. 

Sony Music India to represent Warner in Asia

In a strategic license deal, Sony Music Entertainment India will represent Warner Music’s labels and artist releases in India, Sri Lanka and other South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. These include Nepal, Bangla Desh, Pakistan, Maldives and Bhutan and represents a population of 1.5 billion. Denis Handlin, Chairman and CEO, Australia and New Zealand, and President, Asia, Sony Music, said, “We are delighted to represent Warner’s music catalogue for the Indian and SAARC market. This is one of the fastest growing and exciting music markets in the world and India in particular has huge digital market opportunities.” As reported in TMN earlier this week, Warner Music Russia and Sony Music Entertainment Russia inked a three-year license agreement where Warner will import, manufacture and distribute physical products from Sony Music’s catalogue throughout Russia.

Fable Music represents popular samples

Melbourne publisher Fable Music reports that it represents works sampled by three of the USA’s biggest names. Kanye West’s Bound 2 features the Ponderosa Twins Plus One’s Bound from 1971 published by Gambi Music; Justin Timberlake’s Only When I Walk Away incorporates Amedeo Minghi’s 1970 Lustful instrumental published by Flipper Music; and Eminem and Kendrick Lamar’s’ Love Game reworks ‘60s classic Game Of Love by Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, published by Beardog Publishing.

Ticket Group pacts with Diversified Communications exhibitor

Harley Evans’ The Ticket Group struck a national partnership with exhibitions presenter Diversified Communications. This brings all its exhibitions – including the Good Food and Wine Show, Australian Health and Fitness Expo and Grand Designs Live – under the one ticketing provider for the first time. The Ticket Group, which also operates the Moshtix brand.