New Signings & Team-Ups: February 14

DAVID GUETTA SWITCHES TO SCOOTER BRAUN

On the eve of the release of his seventh album, DJ/producer superstar David Guetta has switched management to Scooter Braun’s SB Projects. He joins a roster that includes Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Usher and Ariana Grande, as well as fellow DJ superstar Martin Garrix.

However Guetta’s day-to-day affairs will still be overseen by original business manager Jean-Charles Carre and live manager Jean-Guillaume Charvet.

THAT SOUND AGENCY LOCK IN LOCKDOWN

That Sound Agency (TSA) has locked in Melbourne masked production and DJ duo Lockdown. Forming a year ago and appropriately playing their first gig on Halloween night, the act has increased gig bookings “tenfold”, according to TSA.

Recent roster additions by TSA have included Dimatik, Natalie Sax and Fresh Kiwi.

MTV TEAMS WITH CORONA FOR RUBENS SERIES

MTV Australia has used short form branded content to link with brands – #MTVTRIPPERS with Destination NSW, MTV Fit with Adidas and #OPENMYWORLD with Flight Centre.

The latest partnership is with Corona for a three-part series Joining The Rubens. It follows the band along the sunnier spots of the East Coast on the Corona-sponsored tour having fun and partying, celebrating their Hoops album going gold, and accompanied by comedian and MTV presenter Sam Taunton who acts as their roadies.

The first two episodes airing on MTV on Foxtel and Fetch (mtv.com.au/corona) while the final airing screens on January 19.

Corona Brand Manager James Pennycuick said, “Partnering with the Rubens & MTV was a no-brainer for us as the Sunsets Tour delivered an amazing experience for our drinkers across the country. We look forward to continually evolving our music platform and working with like-minded partners like MTV in the future.”

POISON CITY ROLLS IN CABLE TIES

Poison City Records, an offshoot of the music and skateboard retail store, will release Melbourne feminist punk band Cable Ties’ debut album later in the year. The band, who formed in 2015 after meeting at women-empowering initiatives they put together, played their first gig at the women-only Wetfest. The group have a new single titled The Producer out and are currently touring with Camp Cope.

LANG LANG BACK AT UNIVERSAL

Globally celebrated multi-platinum piano virtuoso Lang Lang is back at Universal Music Group. It’s via a deal for future classical releases through Deutsche Grammophon, where he was signed until 2010.

Chinese born Lang Lang said: “When I met Lucian (Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG) and his team I was amazed by their open-mindedness and passion for innovation. This is exactly the spirit we need to promote classical music in the 21st century.”

DOWNTOWN GOES GLOBAL WITH NAUGHTY BOY

Downtown Music Publishing is celebrating the signing of UK songwriter and producer Naughty Boy (Shahid Khan) to a worldwide deal. The act wrote and produced tracks for Sam Smith and Emile Sandé, and collaborated with Rihanna, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Leona Lewis, Wiz Khalifa, JLS, Cheryl Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Gabrielle, Jess Glynne, Professor Green and Tinie Tempah.

Khan wants to use the deal to break into film scores and sync deals. Downtown also established a joint venture with his publishing company, Naughty Words.

PIKELET LEARNS TO LISTEN

Melbourne singer-songwriter Pikelet aka Evelyn Morris will release her fifth album in 2017 through Listen Records. It is the label of feminist and social rights activist organisation LISTEN, and includes Biscotti, Simona Castricum, Hi-Tec Emotions, Stina Tester & Cinta Masters, Shag Planet, Beloved Elk and Claws & Organs.

OCTOBER SPRINGS UP WITH ENDGRAIN

A deal with October Records sees Sydney producer/DJ Endgrain (Jackson May) issue his debut single 4×4 from his debut EP.

Originally drawing inspiration from colourful beat makers such as Bonobo and Quantic, he’s widened to draw on UK club culture, house and techno. After attending some European festivals, May and two friends put together Translate Sound System which now powers many Sydney’s underground party scene.

MARSHALL GETS DIRTY

Marshall Records, the new offshoot of the famed global amplification brand, picked up Welsh rock band The Dirty Youth as its first signing. First comes an EP, recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, and then an album later in 2017.

TEN FE GET AUSTRALIAN RELEASE

Following the Ewan Pearson (Jagwar Ma, M83, The Rapture) produced lead single Twist Your Arm, London duo Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan aka Ten Fé have their debut album Hit The Light released in Australia and New Zealand on March 3 via LXVI.

Meaning “have faith” in Spanish, Ten Fé will also embark on a mammoth run of European, UK dates and US dates in June.

NOVA ENTERS PODCAST DEAL

Nova Entertainment has finalised a new partnership with global platform Acast to amp up its presence in the podcast space. Making the announcement to clients at Ed Sheeran’s Red Room event at Sydney Opera House, CEO Cathy O’Connor, said, “This is a terrific technology platform. It is global best practice in podcasting, and we expect to be bringing new opportunities to the market through a really exciting and emerging platform.”

STAN OFFERS CARTOON NETWORK STREAMING

A deal with US broadcast media giant Turner will see Australian SVOD Stan offer Cartoon Network shows for local streaming. These include pop culture hit Regular Show, Adventure Time, Ben 10, Powerpuff Girls, We Bare Bears and Steven Universe.