New Signings & Team-Ups: February 7

Image: A.D.K.O.B

A.D.K.O.B AT WONDERLICK

Sydney four piece A.D.K.O.B have joined Wonderlick Entertainment / Sony Music Entertainment Australia. A.D.K.O.B was formed by Mark Piccles (VX, Guitar, Samples, Percussion) who worked as a sound engineer while working on songwriting and production ideas spawning over eight hard drives.

The band includes Jane Doutney (Keyboard, VX, Samples, Percussion), Hewett Cook (Bass, VX) and Harry Simpson (Drums, Percussion, Samples).

A.D.K.O.B’s self-titled EP was released in late 2015, and new single Less & Less (“a song about overwhelming feelings of disassociation”) follows up the triple j and community radio hit Glue.

Wonderlick Director Stu MacQueen says, “We like the fact that when it comes to this band, we don’t have a very good answer for that old question, ‘so who do they sound like?’. We believe that they have a unique vision and we are really pleased to be able to support that.”

ALEX LAHEY LANDS GLOBAL DEAL

On the eve of European and US dates, Melbourne singer-songwriter Alex Lahey has signed a global deal with Dead Oceans/Secretly Group. She remains with Caroline for Australia. “To see my name on the list of artists that works with Dead Oceans and the Secretly Group is nothing less than a dream come true,” she says, citing acts such as The Tallest Man On Earth, Julianna Barwick, Marlon Williams and Bleached.

POLARIS SIGN ON WITH RESIST RECORDS

A new deal with Resist Records will see south Sydney metalcore outfit Polaris’ 2016 EP The Guilt & The Grief issued on 10-inch vinyl for the first time on March 3. In the meantime, they’re writing their debut album to be recorded later in 2017 while they hit the road nationally, opening for Periphery.

Bassist and vocalist Jake Steinhauser says, “We’re absolutely stoked to be working with Resist. They’re one of the best independent labels in this country, they have an amazing history, and they definitely hold a special place for us as one of the first labels we used to dream of working with when we were young and starting a band. Between Resist and Cooking Vinyl we couldn’t ask for a better team behind us.”

WARNER MUSIC NZ GETS KINETIC

Warner Music NZ has signed new Kiwi supergroup Kinetic. They’re a new collaboration between Laughton Kora (KORA, Fly My Pretties), Shelton Woolright (Blindspott, I Am Giant) and Paul Matthews (I Am Giant, Stylus). New single Invincible, recorded in London and Auckland, is an ode to NZ’s summer vibes. The track debuted at #1 on the NZ Single Heatseekers Chart and was highest debuting NZ single that week.

Warner Music NZ, General Manager Phil Howling reckons, “The collective talent of this exciting new entity is undeniable, and we look forward to some incredible music to come.”

BEYONCE DROPS IVY PARK CAMPAIGN

Beyonce has unveiled the northern spring and summer 2017 campaign video for her athleisure wear line Ivy Park. It includes cutout bodysuits, bold leggings and mesh-lined crop tops. The campaign video, heavy on body positivity, stars singer SZA, Lauryn Hill’s daughter Selah Marley, Black-ish star and black belt karate master Yara Shahidi, model Sophie Koella and Bey protégés singer-songwriters sister duo Chloe x Halle.

“Sports are usually only geared towards men, and [it is empowering] simply shining a light on the fact that yes, women play sports and yes, we’re also great at what we do,” says Marley. “I love that it highlights that women are capable of anything and we can dominate anywhere we go.”

IVY LEAGUE ANNOUNCES KYLE LIONHART

Ivy League Records announced their signing of Byron Bay folk/soul singer-songwriter Kyle Lionhart. He posted, “I’ve found an incredible team that are invested in me as an artist (which seems to be rare to find these days).” His new single Call Back Home is out this week with a video directed by Lilli Waters, is followed by a national tour.

NINES FOR REMOTE CONTROL

Remote Control’s partnership with UK’s XL Recordings, already a lucrative one with Adele, extends with London rapper Nines. Just out is the video for High Roller, which he co-directed and stars in with J Hus.

Nines emerged with four mixtapes, while his debut album One Foot Out from mid-2015, will be re-released. With no commercial backing, Nines’ four past music videos amassed over 30.6 million views on YouTube, and his debut single Yay sold over 30,000 copies.

BMG TO ADMINISTER NETFLIX MUSIC

BMG will manage and administer Netflix’s music publishing rights outside the US. These cover TV series, feature films, documentary features, and other original content from Netflix Originals.

BMG’s film and TV partners include The Weinstein Company, Hasbro Studios, Activision Blizzard Studios, AMC Network, Turner Broadcasting and Rede Globo’s Som Livre.

OVERSEAS DEAL FOR NEW VENUSIANS

Sydney collective New Venusians release new single Get Along and announce debut self-titled album via US label Fresh Selects, which is based in Portland. The album is set for a global release on March 24. The act’s 2015 single Keep Running received triple j and community radio support as well as some global spins.

FLYING NUN LUCKS IN WITH NZ’S FAZERDAZE

Flying Nun has signed up New Zealand’s Fazerdaze (aka Amelia Murray). Her debut album Morningside is out on May 5. Flying Nun issues it in most worldwide territories except for Europe where it drops via Groenland Records and Japan where Tugboat Records does the honours.

Fazerdaze is set for five Australian club shows (Feb 17— 21) followed by two NZ shows behind new single Lucky Girl. The first Australian date, at the Gasometer in Melbourne, also has Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd DJing.

INERTIA BLEACHES IN

Inertia will release the EP Can You Deal? on March 3 by LA punk band Bleached, lead by sisters Jennifer and Jessica Clavin and who toured Australia last year. The deal comes via the act’s signing with the Dead Oceans label.

In America the EP is accompanied with Jennifer Clavin’s limited edition zine Can You Deal? with contributions from Hayley Williams (Paramore), Tegan Quin (Tegan and Sara), Jane Wiedlin (The Go Go’s), Liz Phair, EMA, Alice Glass and more. All net proceeds from the zine go to Planned Parenthood.

KATY PERRY CREATES SHOE LINE

In between spinning eight hits to #1 in America, Katy Perry was also working on her own shoe line. She partnered with fashion and entertainment management company Global Brands Group and worked with former stylist Johnny Wujek for creative direction for the Katy Perry Collection.

“I want to learn a lot, master it and become a serious contributor in the fashion world,” she told Footwear News.

THE DOVE & THE WOLF AT FAT POSSUM

Fat Possum Records, which is released in Australia through Inertia Music, has finalised a deal with French-born, Philadelphia-based duo The Dove & The Wolf. Made up of Paloma Gil and Lou Hayat, the 2016 EP I Don’t Know What To Feel is re-released next month with two extra tracks. The video for track Seven Days is directed by Eliu Cornielle and features improvisational dancer Jasmine Mendoza.