New Signings & Team-Ups: June 14
Dot Dash / Remote Control stretches Friendships
Dot Dash / Remote Control release Melbourne duo Friendships’ debut album Nullarbor 1988 – 1989 on September 30 in partnership with US based label Mansion. Teaser track, out now, is When I Feel Like Killing, I Murder which is already working in basement raves. Formed by Nick Brown & Misha Grace two years ago, the bass-heavy tribal act quickly set a presence in the US, showcasing at SXSW and in LA and NY clubs.
Kozmik Artifactz plug in Devil Electric
German psychedelic and stoner label Kozmik Artifactz signed Melbourne female-fronted hard rock band Devil Electric for their debut album. It will be recorded in late 2016 and released early next year on 180g vinyl and CD. They’ve just self-released their four track EP The Gods Below, showing off their doom-laden riffs, thundering drums and Pierina O’Brien’s vocals. Christos Athanasias (guitars), Tom Hulse (bass) and Mark Van De Beek (drums) met at an Ugly Kings gig a year ago, drawn together by a mutual admiration for stoner-rock as much as the fact that Van De Beek and Hulse are graphic designers who handle their artwork, tour posters and merchandise.
Rice Is Nice takes on rebel force
Sydney indie Rice Is Nice is working with Rebel Yell to deliver debut single Never Perfection. It is followed by EP Mother Of Millions on August 19. Grace Stevenson, also a member of Brisbane band 100%, created the dark tech character Rebel Yell. She appears onstage with a raft of devices including a Korg ESX-1 and metal zone pedal.
Rebel Yell says she found inspiration from the Hackers soundtrack. “(It) got me into dark tech like Underworld, Orbital and even The Prodigy. Also the homemade burnt disc I got from an op shop titled Dark Tech along with discovering the music of Absolute Body Control, Oppenheimer Analysis and Autumns.”
Pon Cho wraps himself with partners
Pon Cho, member of Blue Mountains, NSW-based Thundamentals, has launched his solo career in a strong position. Following his record deal with Night High and management with Nathan Farrell Entertainment last week, he’s signed bookings with New World Artists (Australia), Affinity Music and Vitalic Noise (North and South America).
SFX sheds Flavorus, Fame House
One time EDM empire SFX Entertainment has continued to shed assets since its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in February.
Vivendi Ticketing U.S. LLC provided the highest bid of US$4 million at auction for its ticketing wing Flavorus Assets. Two years ago, SFX had bought it for $17 million to ticket its festivals including Electric Zoo and Mysteryland USA. Vivendi Ticketing processes 60 million tickets per year, and is the second-largest ticketer in the U.K. and France behind Ticketmaster.
Universal Music Group, part of Vivendi, bought digital marketing company Fame House, in a deal worth $1 million in cash and $400,000 in other assets.
Napalm crosses Alter Bridge
Florida hard rock band Alter Bridge’s next album, due later this year, will be released through Napalm, with its Australian issue on Rocket Distribution. The band then embarks on an 18-month world tour, which is expected to see it return to these shores.
First release for Coolin’
New Brisbane label Coolin’ By Sound, set up by Sonic Sherpa record store owner Steve Bell and QMusic’s Michelle Padovan, is off at the blocks with garage rock band Thigh Master’s Company single this month with debut album Early Times in its wake in October.
BBC Music to stage US tours with Live Nation
BBC Music is getting further into the concert business. A deal with Live Nation will see it take package tours with four emerging UK acts it is championing to the United States for no more than six dates each. The first tour is in November. BBC Music’s curating in Britain helped the breakthroughs of Florence + The Machine, alt-J, Jake Bugg, Catfish And The Bottlemen, Bombay Bicycle Club and Slaves.
Celine Dion to launch lifestyle brand
A partnership with Epic Rights sees Celine Dion launching her first lifestyle brand in late 2017, covering home goods, active wear, accessories, eyewear, beauty and travel products. The brand is yet to be named but the products will be based on Dion’s values “family, music, entertainment and style.”
Music SA’s goblet runneth over
Music SA is joining the 100 Hot Wines competition this year to expands its promotion of South Australian acts. During each wine tasting, judges will be given playlists of local music to “add” to the experience. 10 songs to be paired with the Top 10 wines will be published in the 10th year anniversary publication at the end of this year.
BMW extends Gold Class Cinemas deal
Luxury car BMW Group Australia extended for a further two years its sponsorship of Village Cinemas and joint venture partners Event’s Gold Class Cinemas. According to Event Cinemas Director of Sales, Joe Pullos, “The premium environment of Gold Class Cinemas and the luxury and excellence of BMW, work together to target aspirational lifestyle customers, and provide the ultimate experience.”
Hit105 slam-dunks on
In a three-year deal, Southern Cross Austereo’s SCA’s hit105 Brisbane will be official radio partner for the Brisbane Bullets, and be naming rights sponsor of the club’s new cheerleading team. Brisbane Bullets CEO Mitchell Murphy applauded SCA Brisbane GM Richard Barker, adding, “Beyond the basketball, SCA shares the Brisbane Bullets’ passion for community engagement and I know we can collectively do some memorable activities to enrich people’s lives.”
SOCAN acquires MediaNet
To make its tracking and administration more effective for its members, Canada’s rights society SOCAN has acquired Seattle-based B2B digital platform and data management company MediaNet. It has 4.1 million rights holders as its clients and a 51-million strong catalogue.
SAE, Rosemount, looking for acts
SAE Perth’s audio students get hands-on training for sound mixing in live environments through a team-up with major live music revenue The Rosemount Hotel. They’re looking for acts with at least 20 minutes’ worth of material and who can play The Rosemount main stage and 459 Bar on Tuesday mornings. Acts will get free rehearsal time and a recording of their gig. More info from SAE’s Live Sound Facilitator Ben Morris.