New Signings & Team-Ups: KYA pacts new management, label; Universal teams with Philips; Slipknot light up with Zippo; 1D member launching label

KYA pacts new management, label

Sydney singer-songwriter KYA has signed with Sydney-based Oxygen Music Group as her new management and label team.Her new single, which she wrote and produced, I Hate That I Like That!is out mid May. KYA first came to attention as 15-year-old punk rocker Christina Parie on X-Factor. As a finalist, she got signed with Warner Music, had a Top 10 iTunes single and went on overseas writing trips. Now 19, fashion-focused with a more dance piano/voice element to her music, she changed her name last May to KYA (pronounced Khai-a) after her grandmother. Oxygen started in 2011 by songwriter David Simon. In February, Oxygen brought in long time EMI executive Louis Calleja as COO and head of its Oxygen Country division.

Universal, Philips, team for concert films

Universal Music Group’s catalogue division Universal Music Enterprises teams with electronics firm Philips for global cinema screenings of concert movies from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper, The Doors, Queen and Paul McCartney & Wings. Philips’ LightVibes technology adds LED lighting throughout a cinema, providing extra visuals synched to the films.

Cooking Vinyl Australia welcomes Gateway Drugs

Cooking Vinyl Australia added Los Angeles outfit Gateway Drugs to its roster, and with its first Australian release, the Magick Spells album, out in late May. Three of the members are the children of The Knack’s Preston Niles.

Brew up for Mumford & Sons

To celebrate the launch of Mumford & Sons’ album Wilder Mind, Sydney brewery Young Henrys issued a limited edition Wilder Mind Ale. It is only available at its brewery bar and the Wilder Mind pop up bar in the Newtown Hotel which runs from this week to Sunday May 10. The pop up includes live sets from local acts and DJs, local artists creating a mural live, dedicated cocktails, a 3D album artwork, whiskey tasting and listening sessions.

Hein Cooper lands UK, Euro, agencies

Rising NSW South Coast singer songwriter Hein Cooper signed with two overseas agents as his international career blooms. He’s with Primary Talent for the UK, and with France’s Uni-T (with Angus & Julia Stone, Chet Faker) for Europe. Cooper is playing Canada showcases and UK festivals.

Perth’s Pilerats inks Leon Osborn

Fremantle beat-master Leon Osborn is with Perth’s Pilerats Records. He’s put out a two-track debut single You Were Gone ft. Barksdale with The Map & The Territory. Osborn started beats in his early teens inspired by Aphex Twin, and got his name around via Soundcloud uploads and national tours with the likes of Giraffage. Now 19 and known for exporting tracks just minutes before his DJ sets, he was part of a new movement of WA EDM acts which included James Ireland, Mei Saraswati, Bastian’s Happy Flight, MmHmMm, Leure and Sable.

Slipknot light up with Zippo

Slipknot’s latest US tour Summer’s Last Stand is in partnership with Zippo Encore. At each show, Zippo will have a pop-up retail shop with custom Zippo lighters, several designed by Slipknot, and offering fans opportunities to win prizes as backstage access, autographed merchandise, and create their own original lighter designs. "Who can think of a concert – especially a heavy metal or hard rock concert – without picturing Zippo lighters in the air, showing appreciation for the music that's being played?" said singer Corey Taylor.

Milo Greene for Rdio Sessions

Rdio chose LA band Milo Greene for its installment of Rdio Sessions. It is a series of live and intimate recordings (four unplugged renditions of their own songs and a Phil Collins cover, available exclusive to the global platform.

One Direction member launching label through Syco/ Sony

One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson announced he’s starting his own record label. To launch next year, it will operate as a subsidiary of Simon Cowell’s Syco label and the full backing of Sony Music. He’s already signed 18-year-old X-Factor finalist Jack Walton and currently auditioning to form a girlband.

South Australian acts named for MAPS videos

Five South Australian acts got their music videos shot by MAPS film school students. They are Dusty Lee’s Wasted Wanderers, Skythief, The Timbers, Vincent’s Chair and Cosmo Thundercat. The film makers are Lachy Pfitzner, Rebecca Duncker, Kyan Rowse, Paul Koffman and Kadison Noack. The videos are launched April 30 at St Paul's Creative Centre from 7 pm to 8 pm.

Disney chooses Carat, expands to NZ

The Walt Disney Company in ANZ will keep its $26.1 million annual media buying account with Carat for Australia, and extend it to New Zealand where it previously was represented by PHD. A review of the account saw eight media agencies putting their hands up for it.

Miami Horror teams with Welcome to Cult

Australian indie-electronica act Miami Horror teamed with Dimitri Basil’s production company Welcome to Cult for the video for new single Love Like Mine. The band’s Benjamin Plant was drawn to a concept “where the camera didn't move the whole clip. I thought it was definitely risky, but it's also an interesting limitation to work with. Clips these days are always so intense and fast paced so it's a breath of fresh air to see something that keeps you watching without having to try so hard." The track is off their sophomore album All Possible Futures on Remote Control. Miami Horror spent the last three years between Melbourne and LA, with writing locations including log cabins in Californian mountains, Australian beaches and cosmopolitan Paris.

Roc Nation who? asks Vic Mensa

Jay-Z tweeted to say his Roc Nation signed Chicago hip hopper Vic Mensa. His first track is a collaboration with Kanye West titled U Mad. Apparently when the label’s Lenny S met him, Mensa had no idea of Roc Nation. Mensa said, "Yo, thanks for coming, homie, where u from again?" Offended, Lenny S had replied sarcastically "Just a lil rec company named Roc Nation". He recounts how Mensa replies, "Oh, who y'all got there?" The reply: "Not sure if you've heard of them, a few small artists like, Jay Z, J.Cole & Rihanna". He says, oh cool + keeps it moving."

Percy Grainger movie funded

A biopic of the great Australian pianist and composer Percy Grainger is among 16 films getting $620,000 of development funding from Screen Australia. Director Ben Lewin will helm the movie titled Blue Rose.

Cassar-Daley: now listen ear!

As ambassador for Australian Hearing, country music singer songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley values the importance of hearing for a musician. He has written a song for it called I Can Hear You Now. It was inspired by a TV show on people hearing for the first time after turning on heir cochlear implants. “It was truly moving for our family and I hope the song … does it justice.”