New Signings & Team Ups: Daniel Johns becomes DJ’s Golden boy; Remi gets Rdio treatment; UNFD get Crossfaith; WME/IMG expand fashion presence

Daniel Johns becomes DJ’s ‘Golden’ boy

For its spring summer 2015 campaign, retailer David Jones has dropped the idea of a traditional TVC. Instead #ShotBySound incorporates Daniel Johns performing his new single We Are Golden while 42 cameras capture models walking by sporting the new range. The five minute video is on David Jones' YouTube channel while a 15-second edit is on its social media channels. The music video/ad runs from August across outdoor, inserts, catalogues, online and social media.

The whole cool new approach is part of David Jones’ rebranding Its GM of Marketing Communications Victoria Doidge explained, “Musicians have always pushed the boundaries of fashion and have long been style icons that we admire and mirror. Daniel reflects many of the personality traits we aspire to. He is mercurial, fashion-forward, a creative genius and always ahead of the curve, which is why he was a natural fit for David Jones for our new season campaign.”

Johns, who co-wrote and co-produced We Are Golden with Melbourne’s underground electronic duo Damn Moroda, commented,“One of the things I’m enjoying about working solo after all those years in a band is that it gives me the freedom to try new things. I’ve also enjoyed having an opportunity to explore new creative collaborations so this project was a good fit. It was great to work with so many talented people on the video.” Check out the video here.

Island UK picks up Eves The Behavior

Island UK picked up enigmatic experimental pop Brisbane performer Eves The Behavior aka Hannah Karydas. With strong support from triple j for TV and Electrical (excess of 1.136 million combined plays online), she locally releases her self-titled debut EP July 24 through Dew Process / Universal Music Australia.

Since adding ‘The Behaviour’ to her moniker at the end of 2014, the soon-to-be-21 year old, signed with ATC Management (Nick Cave, Warpaint), has spent time in the US and the UK working with songwriters such as Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint), Samuel Dixon (Sia, Adele) and Chris Walla (Deathcab For Cutie).

Resist becomes relentless

Newtown, Sydney-based Resist Records has brought Sydney hardcore band Relentless on board and will release their Price Of Pain album on September 18. The act formed in 2007, not expecting to last past a demo and a few shows. Since then, they’ve toured Europe and Asia with their favourite bands and singer Trent Baldock started Dogfight Records to release albums by Hand Of Mercy and Shinto Katana.

UNFD get Japan’s Crossfaith

UNFD signed Japan's Crossfaith for Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United Kingdom, withalbum Xeno out on September 18. Crossfaith, signed to Raw Power Management in America, have toured Australia numerous times, including two Soundwave slots in 2013 and 2015, and a Bring Me The Horizon and Of Mice And Men team-up in 2013. UNFD Head of Recorded MusicLuke Logemann saysCrossfaith are “incredible and bring so much energy and creativity to the genre.”

Dead Daisies cut brands deals for single release

As part of the Australian launch of their new single Mexico, The Dead Daisies teamed with Fraser Harley-Davidson Sydney, Pistonhead Lager, and Beach Burrito for a 'secret location' private show. Fans also get the chance to win a customised 'Daisies' Harley-Davidson Street 500 Motorcycle with proceeds going to the Cancer Council. Mexico, recorded in Sydney, is from the Revolución album. Its video was shot in the infamous Jumbo’s Clown Room neo-burlesque club in Los Angeles to depict a run-down Mexican dive.

iHeartRadio NZ brings in Rhema Media stations

iHeartRadio New Zealand will include Christian based Rhema Media’s radio stations, the family-centric Rhema, youth-orientated Life FM and classic Christian rock themed Star on its digital streaming platform. iHeartRadio NZ has 300,000 registered users, with 56% of those aged under 35.

Batch Brewing Co launches Batch Sessions

Sydney's Batch Brewing Co. is hosting a monthly event called Batch Sessions, which mixes live and local music with locally crafted and brewed beers. They are held at Batch Brewery warehouse in Marrickville on the last Wednesday of each month, the first one is on July 22 with Blueberry Circuit and Dominic Youdan.

Remi gets the Rdio treatment

MC Remi is the feature artist for the latest Rdio Sessions.When in Austin, Texas, earlier this year to showcase at SxSW, the Melbourne-based rapper went into the studio to record some live stuff for use on Sessions. These includesix stripped back renditions including Livin’, Sangria and That's. That. Shit, performed with Sensible J.

Cutter Records unveil Statue project

Cut Copy’s imprint Cutters Records commissioned Statue, a new percussion-based dance project by drummers Tom Gould and Nicolaas Oogjes of Melbourne EDM bands World’s End Press and NO ZU. Statue, first introduced in the Cut Copy-curated Melbourne dance compilation Oceans Apart, combines synthesisers, drum machines and live percussion drawing upon inspiration from acts like Floating Points, Pachanga Boys and Ricardo Villalobos.

Deep Well enters worldwide agreement With Virgin /CMG

Deep Well Records, the LA-based imprint set up by Swedish-born producer and songwriter Adam Anders, struck a worldwide agreement with Capitol Music Group that will establish Deep Well as an associated label within CMG’s Virgin Records.Deep Well will continue to find new talent, some to go through Virgin.

Anders’ writings and productions have sold 100 million albums, with names as Cee-Lo Green, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Backstreet Boys, Clay Aiken, CeCe Winans, Nick Lachey and Australia’s own The McClymonts. Anders was Executive Music Producer for Rock Of Ages (its soundtrack topped the US charts) and the Glee TV series whose soundtrack sold over 70 million singles and 18 million albums with two #1 singles in the US.

GfK to handle New Zealand radio ratings

GfK will take over commercial radio surveys in New Zealand from 2016. The Radio Broadcasters Association said it was impressed with its work in Australia and Asia. There are two surveys a year in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, and once a year in some of the regional cities. The RBA had used TNS since 1991 but wanted more continuous research, more regular reporting and changes to the methodology to improve the experience for those researched and those using the analysed data.TNS will do a final survey in spring.

Pac Mags resumes NZ titles

Australia’s Pacific Magazines retrieves the NZ licensing of Girlfriend, That’s Life! andNew Idea from New Zealand Media and Entertainment on September 30.

WJO trucks in Travis Sinclair

WJO/ Universal Music Australia has freighted in Victorian country music singer, songwriter and truck driver Travis Sinclair to its roster. First single under the deal is Diesel Boy, a wry comment about “the trials and tribulations of (truck drivers) trying to adhere to new laws created with unreasonable and unrealistic expectations from governing bodies and technology.”

Sinclair’s debut album Rhythm Of The Highway yielded a record ten consecutive Top Ten singles and got him the 2003 Golden Guitar for Best New Talent. A duet with Lee Kernaghan, I’m From The Country, spent three weeks at top spot. Follow-up albums Rush and Diesel Boy earned APRA nominations

Aussie musicians contribute to marriage equality

The Australian Marriage Equality (AME) association and MGM Distribution are behind the #SayYesToLove series of albums to raise funds for AME.The first has Jimmy Barnes, John Butler Trio, The Cat Empire, Josh Pyke, Katie Noonan’s Vanguard, The Basics, L-FRESH THE LION, Fiona Joy, Joe Camilleri and Wes Carr among the 24 acts who donated to the first of the series, just out on iTunes. To donate tracks, go to www.sayyestolove.net.au.

Hamish & Andy extend HTC ring-in

Hamish & Andy extend their brand relationship with HTC, to the mobile phone maker sponsoring their Hit Networks drive show’s digital and podcast assets. The show is owned by SCA which brought in Woolworths as far back as February to sponsor the show’s radio assets.

WME/IMG expand fashion presence

US-based global live music agency WME/IMG increases its presence in the fashion world by buying Wall Group. which represents fashion stylists, hairstylists, makeup artists and production designers in New York, Paris, London and Los Angeles. The company, headed by founder Brooke Wall, also provides consulting services to brands ranging from Procter & Gamble and Target to Chanel and LVMH. It will provide WME/IMG music clients with fashion tie-ins.

New additions to Adelaide’s N1 Records

Adelaide’s N1 Records added Brad Male, Michaela Curran, Katelin Bamford, Paige Renee Court, Daniel Camelliri and Jordan Barnes to its music development program through Northern Sound System for 2015.

Telstra behind Splendour in the Grass TV

Telstra extends its brand association with Byron Bay’s Splendour In The Grass festival with live streaming. On Sunday July 26, from 5pm (AEST) it will through telstra.com/music provide live sets and featured sets across multiple stages. These include headliners Blur, Royal Blood, Of Monsters And Men, Peking Duk and Jarryd James. There is also behind the scenes footage and interviews.

Returning Splendour brands include PayPal for payment, alcohol brands Smirnoff (cocktail bar), Captain Morgan (ship-themed, pirate-spirited bar), Carlton Dry, Domaine Chandon wines, Kopparberg cider, Red Bull Music Academy (curated stage), Contiki travels, Levi Strauss, Bioré skincare, The Guardian (as part of its forum series), Grill’d hamburgers, The Australian Institute of Music, camping brand Coleman, Spotlight, Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and the McGrath Foundation’s education initiative Curve Lurve.