New Signings & Team-Ups: Feb 23

I OH YOU growswith Mossy

I OH YOU inked Sydney artist Mossy (pictured), releasing his debut single Electric Chair. The accompanying video was filmed in the deserts of California with Australian director Kris Moyes. The pair rework the Greek myth of Narcissus and Echo. Mossy did some acting earlier, appearing in movies and stage plays alongside Willem Dafoe and Geoffrey Rush.

A self-titled EP follows on May 13. The psychedelic pop EP was made with producer Dean Tuza in a basement studio in New York’s Lower East Side which the pair also converted into a makeshift bedroom.

Chase Atlantic team with Madden brothers

Queensland teen trio Chase Atlantic are working with Joel and Benji Madden after signing weeks back to their production house MDDN (which includes Jessie J on the roster). The Good Charlotte co-founders and The Voice Australia mentors first got in touch 18 months ago via Instagram to say they liked their 2014 Dalliance EP and more recently made contact to offer a deal. After Chase Atlantic finish off an East Coast run, they head to LA to resume work on an album in the Madden’s new studio with songwriter David Hodges and producer Felix Snow. The Maddens have already begun pitching the record to major labels. The band’s single Obsessive, released last month, entered the iTunes Pop Charts at #23.

Chase Atlantic are brothers Mitchel and Clinton Cave and friend Christian Anthony. They’ve had over 2.1 million Spotify streams. “They continue to impress us with their work ethic, their vision, and their ability to write, produce, and record all their own music,” the Maddens said.

Weeping Willows at Redeye Worldwide

Australian bluegrass/ Americana duo Weeping Willows aka guitar and dobro virtuoso Andy Wrigglesworth and singer Laura Coates, secured a record deal with Redeye Worldwide. They join some of their fave acts as Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings, Willie Watson and Robyn Hitchcock. The Aussies have been working in Los Angeles with Grammy winning Ryan Freeland (Justin Townes Earle, Bonnie Raitt) on their 10-track second album Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’ due out on March 4. Meantime, they undertake a 20-date Australian run from March 4 to May 20.

Remote Control plugs into Clarke & Walker

Remote Control has the Australian distribution rights to Britain’s Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker (they won Best Duo at the BBC‘s Folk Awards) through a tie-in with Rough Trade. First release locally on March 4 is a sampler EP Through The Clouds made up of tracks from earlier albums and new single Silverline. Clarke’s singing has seen her compared to Sandy Denny and Gillian Welch while Walker is a guitarist and arranger.

Mammoth Agency acquired by America’s Araca

Sydney merchandising company the Mammoth Agency has been acquired by America’s Araca Group. As a result, Mammoth Merchandise, Mammoth Stores, Street Ninja and Band Of Villains will trade as Araca Australia under Mammoth founder Rowena Crittle as Managing Director.

Australia’s Volvo drivers to get Spotify service

New models of Volvo cars will have Spotify music streaming services integrated later in the year. It’s part of the Swedish carmaker’s global roll-out in all countries where Spotify is available, including Australia. It will start with the XC90, S90 and V90 models. The use of a tablet-like touch screen does away with the need to use a smartphone for music streaming while on the road. You need a premium subscription to access.

Volvo’s integrated Spotify app also includes Spotify Connect functionality, which allows passengers to use their mobile devices as remote controls for the Spotify in-car app without the need to connect their devices to the car or drain their batteries.

ANZ continues Mardi Gras sponsorship

The ANZ Bank extended its 10-year sponsorship of the Sydney Mardi Gras. It will transform its Oxford Street branch into GAYNZ celebrating LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) community with 16 murals created with the community’s involvement and new GAYTMs. The George Street and Pitt Street branches get four GAYTMs, ATM operator fees for non-ANZ card users go to the Twenty10 organisation, and 230 staffers will join the Parade. From this week, anyone tweeting the hashtag #GAYNZ is greeted by a rainbow flag.

New agency for Vivid Sydney

Destination NSW has switched PR agencies for light and ideas festival Vivid Sydney (May 27 to June 18). Red Agency takes over from M&C Saatchi’s Bang PR which had the account for two years.

SCA expands digital to regional

Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) is increasing more local digital content for its regional stations through a new initiative called #ThisIsLocal with media agency OMD Brisbane and communications and electronics provider Vita. The content will be through SCA websites and expand Vita’s profile.

Imagem becomes Cavendish Music

UK production music company, Imagem Production Music, which has 240,000 tracks is rebranding to Cavendish Music after being acquired by independent rights management company Ole. Cavendish, a name set up in the late ‘60s, remains an independent entity while upping Ole’s production-music library content total to 750,000 tracks.

US chef goes metal

High profile New York chef Chris Santos has gone into a joint venture with close friend Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records to set up a new heavy rock and metal label Blacklight Media. First signing is Good Tiger. Long time metal fan Santos says, “Starting a label of my own is truly a dream come true.” Four of Metal Blade signings were recommended by him.