New Signings & Team-Ups: Feb 3

Mi-Sex reboot at Golden Robot Records

Mi-Sex have released their first single in 25 years, Somebody, and signed with Sydney/ Los Angeles-based Golden Robot Records. The track is off the February 19-due EP Extended Play which includes re-workings of their hits Computer Games, Falling In And Out and People.

The single and EP is released as the band tours New Zealand on the 7-date Clash of the Titans tour with The Angels and Dragon February 19 to 28.

Golden Robot’s also the solo label of Mi-Sex singer Steve Balbi who replaced the late Steve Gilpin when they went back on the road in 2011 after a one-off reunion for Christchurch earthquake victims. Its other acts include Rose Tattoo, Steve Kilbey, Angry Anderson, The Choirboys, Sarah McLeod, Toe To Toe and Moon.

Mi-Sex formed in New Zealand in 1997 and moved to Sydney. Signing with CBS (now Sony Music) they had two Top 10 albums. Their Euro-inspired new wave and theatrical shows also saw them have success in Austria, France, Canada and Argentina. They broke up in 1985. Gilpin died in a car accident in 1992.

Harry Styles finds solo management

While One Direction are on hiatus, Harry Styles has split with the band’s Modest Mouse management and signed with Jeffrey “son of Irving” Azoff as he spends this year cutting a solo album. The parting of ways has been amicable. Modest’s Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee said, “We wish Harry the very best. It has been a real pleasure working with him. Harry is a total gentleman, and we know our good friend Jeffrey Azoff will look after him.”

US record, booking, deals for Hockey Dad

Within 18 months, Wollongong-based fuzzy surf-rocking Hockey Dad went from opening slots in local clubs to selling out tours, releasing a debut EP Dreamin’ (on Farmer & The Owl / Inertia), and making their US debut at CMJ in New York.

Zach Stephenson (guitars/vocals) and Billy Fleming (drums) now will hit the North American market next month with record and booking deals in place.

Their US label is Brooklyn based Kanine Records (who introduced Surfer Blood, Chairlift and Grizzly Bear to the world) whose founder Lio Kanine says they were the only act, which stood out of the hundred acts he checked out online before arriving at BigSound in Brisbane. When he saw them showcase, “It took about all of 30 seconds to realise, I must have them.” Their debut album is released in mid-2016.

Chicago based Flower Booking will represent them for North America alongside Ratatat, Frightened Rabbit and Ceremony. The agency’s Brianna Liebling too was immediately captivated when she saw them at CMJ. Hockey Dad will spend the rest of the year abroad. They hit SXSW in March, then US and Europe in the northern summer, “as well as a number of other international plans in the pipeline.”

Remote Control gets Tim Hecker

Canadian composer Tim Hecker, whose 2013 Virgins combined avant-classical orchestration and extreme electronic processing, will release the Iceland-recorded Love Streams on April 8 in Australia through Remote Control. It comes via a deal that Hecker signed with 4AD.

Dice latest curator for Apple Music

British mobile ticketing platform start-up Dice is the first live music brand to join Apple Music as a curator. Each week its music team – led by Russ Tannen (ex-Vice) and Jen Long (ex-BC Radio 1) will provide subscribers with three flagship shows. These are Live At, featuring live recordings from major venues across the globe, Set List which plays tracks from an act’s latest show, and Lineup covering acts who’ve performed at the UK’s best festivals.

Kid Kenobi involved in Pretty Shady

DJ/producer Kid Kenobi is involved in Pretty Shady, the NSW government’s social awareness campaign to reduce skin cancer among young Australians. He has created a track Sunshine featuring singer Andrea Kirwin, which is

initially being given away as a free download via SoundCloud and Bandcamp before receiving an official release on Kid Kenobi’s record label Klub Kids via digital retailers and streaming platforms.

Through social media, Kenobi documents how the song was created at his Sydney northern beaches studio, with regular updates with his followers, see http://tinyurl.com/jbzyt25.

Sony divisions move media agencies

Sony has moved media agencies for two of its divisions. Its movie pictures account, estimated to be $10 million, is now with Mediacom after being at OMD.

The electronics division, which has an annual spend of $5 million, has landed with M2M from UM.

Cloud 9 floats Fedde Le Grand to roster

Cloud 9 Holland Music Publishing added Dutch house DJ/producer Fedde Le Grand, who rated #35 in last year’s DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ Poll, to its roster. Le Grand is best known for his 2006 UK chart-topping track Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit, his Flamingo label and remixes for Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Shakira, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Timeflies and Martin Solveig. His latest single Give Me Some, out this week, is a collaboration with the Italian duo Merk & Kremont. It is followed by his second album Something Real on February 26.

Le Grand, who turns 39 this September, also played a key role in the careers of Nicky Romero, Deniz Koyu and Danny Avila. In recent years he discovered Roul & Doors, John Dish, dBerrie, Jewelz & Sparks, Merk & Kremont, and Mike Lucas & Simon Beta (Doctors In Florence).

Cloud 9 Music also has the publishing for Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, W&W, Dirtcaps, Within Temptation), Dannic, Laidback Luke, Frontliner and Andrew Rayel along with a wide range of TV-commercials, games and films.

GfK to measure NZ radio

Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA) has finalised an agreement with GfK to handle the official radio research in New Zealand until the end of 2020. Its three surveys a year (increased to four next year) chooses 18,000 individuals, with 80% via paper diary and 20% by electronic diary.

Stan declares: Showtime!

A long term licensing deal with America’s CBS Corporation sees Australian streaming video on demand (SVOD) service Stan become the home of Showtime in this country. It includes hundreds of hours of Showtime past and future programming as Billions, Twin Peaks, House Of Lies, The Affair, Penny Dreadful, Ray Donovan, Dexter and Californication as well as its brand and trademark

Pandora, 2DAY, learn to be Fanta-istic

For its latest multi-million dollar Australian campaign for Fanta, aimed at teens and mums, Coca-Cola South Pacific is utilising music streaming service Pandora and 2DAY FM. Also in the mix will be TV, cinema, mobile and online, as well as a selfie-pack competition.

The campaign was first tested in France, and “activity will focus on inspiring teens to escape their everyday pressures and embrace their playful side. Additionally, mums will be reminded of the value of play for her teenager and inspiring her with ways she can facilitate fun through social activities and treat occasions at home.”