New Signings & Team-Ups: March 21

MORE AUSSIE ACTS FOR THE GREAT ESCAPE

More Australian acts were announced for The Great Escape as the UK conference and showcase (May 17-19) unveiled 100 more names from around the world.

The latest included All Our Exes Live In Texas, Jack River (pictured above), Ecca Vandal, The Teskey Bros, Diadirri and Odette.

FACEBOOK OFF ON LICENSING SPREE

After finalising deals with Warner Music and Sony/ATV, Facebook has signed more pan-European licensing deals.

The deal with French PRO SACEM also includes Canadian society SOCAN and US-based independent publisher Wixen, which administers its online content across Europe.

This allows Facebook users in 180 countries to upload content using music from these companies.

Wixen, for instance, holds the rights to acts as Neil Young, Tom Morello, The Black Keys, Stevie Nicks, Missy Elliott, Santana, Rancid, Tom Petty and The Doors.

Jean-Noël Tronc, CEO of Sacem, said, “In an increasingly digital age, platforms and user-generated-content are set to play a prominent role in our cultural eco-system”.

PULLING STUMPS AT 123 AGENCY

123 Agency has added Sydney band Stumps, just as it issues a new single ‘Just Another Stay At Home Son’.

Displaying Britpop and alt-rock influences, the band (and triple j favourites) will join Tasmania’s Maddy Janein April for shows in Melbourne and Sydney.

They return to these cities, as well as Brisbane, in May for headline dates of their own.

FLIGHTLESS GET A SNIFF

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s Flightless Records have added fellow Melbourne outfit Amyl and The Sniffers.

New single ‘Cup Of Destiny’, recorded at Flightless HQ by Joey Walker,is the first taster to a debut album fromthe four-piece.

The Sniffers, who formed in 2016 in their sharehouse, wrote and recorded their debut EP in 12 hours. Their second EP Big Attraction was released by cult US label Burger Records in February 2017.

Earlier this year they opened for the Foo Fighters, and they’ll be hitting the road from April 12 for seven national shows.

KAISER CHIEFS BACK AT POLYDOR

Kaiser Chiefs have returned to Polydor in the UK, the original label through which they issued their first four albums.

Polydor is part of Universal Music Group.

The Chiefs were huge in the UK, with their 2005 debut Employment shifting over 2 million there and follow-up, Yours Truly, Angry Mob reaching #1.

DEEZER NEXT GLOBAL PRIORITY

The emerging acts that Deezer will promote heavily through its Next Global Priority Acts are Zak Abel (UK), Mala Rodríguez (Latin), Young T & Bugsey (UK), R.Lum.R (US), Cynthia Luz (Brazil), PLK, (France), Nico Santos (Germany), Midnight Fusic (Malaysia) and Kimosabe (South Africa.)

Last year saw the UK’s R&B singer Jorja Smith get the Deezer treatment.

Her streaming numbers jumped 500%, while her Deezer following grew by over 50%. She collected the Brits Critics’ Choice Award earlier this year.

HOBART EXPANDS DIGITAL

A joint announcement by ABC and SBS revealed Hobart began access numerous DAB+ digital radio from both broadcasters from March 19.

KOORI GRANTS

Create NSW’s new Creative Koori fund is looking to boost Aboriginal arts and culture, offering up to $75,000 per project.

The Creative Koori Aboriginal Strategic Program has been set up to support projects that increase employment opportunities for Aboriginal people at all stages of their artistic practice, build the capacity and sustainability of NSW Aboriginal arts and cultural organisations and activity, and increase the professional and skills development opportunities for Aboriginal artists and arts and cultural workers in the state.

Create NSW Acting CEO Grainne Brunsdon commented, “Finding new opportunities to allow Aboriginal arts and culture to thrive is a key priority for the NSW Government and Creative Koori is a targeted initiative that will help us in shaping a more diverse cultural landscape across the State.”

VINCE STAPLES DONATES

In what was an inspired marketing gambit, Vince Staples launched a GoFundMe page around the time of the release of his single ‘Get the Fuck Off My Dick’.

The aim was to raise $2 million so he could retire comfortably.

After the headlines died down, Staples announced he was ending the campaign, which raised over $2,000.

He returned all the money, and additionally matched these and donated them to the Michelle Obama Library in his hometown.

INSOMNIAC FESTIVALS GET STREAMING CHANNEL

LiveXLive reached a five-year agreement with EDM festival promoter Insomniac to become the global livestreaming partner for its events and festivals via the Insomniac Channel.

These events include Electric Daisy Carnival and Nocturnal Wonderland, allowing them to expand their reach and allow headliners to experience them through different mediums.

Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas is the largest multi-day music festival in North America, and attracts more than 400,000 fans over three days.

INERTIA GETS DANIEL BLUMBERG

Daniel Blumberg, regarded as one of London’s more radical writers and artists, releases his debut album Minus via Inertia Music, through a UK deal with Mute and [PIAS].

The record was produced by Scott Walker’s longtime collaborator Peter Walsh in just five days during a remote residential stay in Wales.

This came after a devastating breakup with his partner of seven years along with Blumberg’s ongoing struggle with mental illness, which resulted in his hospitalisation just a week before recording.

SWEAT IT OUT WELCOMES BOOKA SHADE

Australian label Sweat It Out releases German duo Booka Shade’s album ‘Cut The Strings on April 6, as a deal through their own Blaufield imprint.

The title track and some remixes have already been issued in the local market as a single, and features Danish vocalist andsinger of electronic rock band VETO,Troels Abrahamsen.

GRANTS FOR EDINBURGH FRINGE

South Australian artists, companies, producers and presenters taking a show to the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe could be eligible for a Made in Adelaide grant through Arts SA.

Grants of $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for groups of three or more are available to help with travel and production costs associated with the presentation of their work.

Applications close at 9am ACST onTuesday April 3.

POPSUGAR PODCAST

Allure Media’s Popsugar has launched its first podcast, in partnership with Acast Australia.

Season One of Popcast is hosted by 2013 Big Brother winner Tim Dormer, who will explore life after reality television.

NICKELODEON’SSLIMEFEST EXPANDS TO US

Nickelodeon’s Australian kids festival Slimefest is debuting in the US in a partnership with Live Nation.

The two-day event will be held in Chicago in June with performances by Liam Payne, Grammy-winning DJ and producer Zedd, Flo Rida, and Lip Sync Battle Shorties.

VOICE BRAND TO DEVELOP CHAMBER MUSIC NZ

Auckland-based Voice Brand Agency (who also operate out of Melbourne) has partnered with Chamber Music NZ in an audience development deal.

Voice has offered a part-sponsorship for its services, with principal Jonathan Sagar explaining, “They’re committed to quality and to moving audiences with the work that they present.

“That’s very much aligned with what we do as a brand agency.”