New Signings & Team-Ups: Music SA widens airport showcases; Two more for 123 Agency; UMA teams with BBC World

Misdemeanor grimes up with David Seedsman

Misdemeanor Records pacted Melbourne multi-instrumentalist David Seedsman to an initial one-album contract. The first is the debut avant-garde jazz album David Seedsman Presents: Seedy v Grimes. Misdemeanor’s Dan Webb told Industrial Strength that “deals for additional projects expected to be inked and announced in the very near future.”

Dunlop, Sultana, join 123 Agency

Sydney’s Eleanor Dunlop (former Cameras singer, pictured) and Melbourne teen acoustic roots singer and guitarist Tash Sultana are the latest to join 123 Agency. Both have triple j support and will tour nationally in 2015.

Universal Music and BBC World increase Live In Lounge Aussie profile

Universal Music Australia partnered with BBC Worldwide A/NZ to bring BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge series to Australia.

BBC Radio 1 is a youth network aimed at breaking new acts, with its live-in-the-studio compilations hitting #1 in the UK. The 8th edition is the first Australian release, through the Universal Music Australia tie-up and retitled BBC Radio 1 Live From London. It includes tracks by Sam Smith, James Bay, George Ezra, 5 Seconds of Summer and Bastille. It also has Ed Sheeran covering Smith’s Stay With Me; Maroon 5 take on Pharrell Williams’ Happy and London Grammar doing Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball.

BBC Worldwide ANZ Head of Business Development, Helen Pendlebury said: “There are some incredible live performances taking place in the BBC Radio 1 studios and our new partnership with Universal Music means we can now offer Australia access to these unique BBC Live Lounge recordings.”

USA’s Harman buys Australia’s SM Pro Audio

California’s Harman Professional acquired Melbourne-based SM Pro Audio for an undisclosed price. It will incorporate the Australian technology into its range of pro audio and musical instrument product brands “in early 2015”, according to Harman President, Blake Augsburger. These included previews of two Soundcraft mixing products at (last week’s) NAMM 2015.

Melbourne’s Workers Club expands to Geelong

John O’Brien, who co-owns Melbourne live music venue The Workers Club in Fitzroy teamed with Geelong bank booker Steven Nichols of Spinning Half to set up a subsidiary of the club in Geelong. It will be on Little Malop St on the former Kitty O’Shea’s and Vinyl Bar site.

To open in March, 30 acts have already been booked. It will showcase major touring acts and emerging locals.

Sydney’s Bonney Read to work with Philippines charities

During Sydney band Bonney Read’s nine shows in the Philippines in March, they will partner with Gawad Kalinga (GK), an organisation dedicated to helping the poverty-stricken build sustainable communities; and Joomajam, who provide the GK community pre-schools with quality education.

Guitarist Kat Ayala grew up in the Philippines and said: “I’ve experienced the difference between a nation that suffers poverty and corruption, and a nation where everyone gets a fair go. It all comes down to the kids, and arming them with the skills and the passion with which they can build the life they dream.”

Latest Kobalt additions

Kobalt Neighbouring Rights (KNR) started 2015 by signing the likes of Bruno Mars and Calvin Harris. Also joining are Sam Smith, George Ezra, Dave Grohl, British chart-toppers Sigma and Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz.

KNR has a record 26 client nominations for British Single at the February 26 BRIT awards including eight of the 10 contenders for British Single.

Ali Barter rolls into Native Tongue

Native Tongue announced Melbourne singer songwriter Ali Barter to a worldwide publishing deal. Barker has enjoyed triple j and community radio support since the release late last year of the Community EP. On her social media pages, she declared, “Let’s write some #1s!”

Music SA widens Adelaide Airport showcases

South Australian peak music association Music SA’s team-up with Adelaide Airport to showcase live acts at Terminal 1 on weekends takes another step in 2015.

Retail shops will stock a free download-only compilation This Is SA Music featuring 16 local acts. To date, the 150 showcases by 20 acts reached a potential audience of 500,000. Another 100 shows are set for 2015.

Van Morrison at RCA/ Sony

Van Morrison will release his 35th studio album on RCA/Sony on early 2015. Morrison’s last album Born To Sing: No Plan B (2012) was out on Blue Note and reached #10 in the U.S.

Jazz orchestra sets up composers program

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) in partnership with The McCusker Charitable Foundation is offering aspiring jazz musicians around the country aged 30 and under, the opportunity to compose and premiere new works as part of the 2015 Perth International Jazz Festival (May 29 to June 1), through WAYJO’s National Emerging Jazz Composers Program.

The Composer-in-Residence program offers the winner $5,000 to produce at least three compositions, flights and accommodation for non-Perth residents, mentoring from WAYJO directors and other industry figures, opportunities to perform with the 18-piece Composers Ensemble and present the new compositions in a world premiere showcase concert.

The Associate Composer-in-Residence program, open to WA composers only who are 21 or younger, provides $2,000 to produce two compositions, mentoring from WAYJO, opportunities to rehearse with an 18-piece WAYJO band, and the opportunity to perform in public at least one composition.