New Signings & Team-ups: November 15

BOY, FLUME, BARNES, ADDED TO ARIAs

Latest presenters announced for the ARIA Awards with Apple Music are Boy George, Flume, Jimmy Barnes, Julia Michaels, Mick Fleetwood and Vance Joy.

As reported in TMN earlier in the week, Lorde was announced as a performer.

IVY LEAGUE MATCH WITH HATCHIE

Emerging Brisbane singer-songwriter Hatchie (Harriette Pilbeam) continues her fast rise in 2017 by signing her name at the bottom of a record contract with Sydney-based Ivy League Records. It will release her debut EP in 2018.

The 24-year old will keep up the momentum with Australian tours with The Temper Trap and Ball Park Music and then heads to America in March to make her debut at South By Southwest.

REDFOO FINALISES NEW UMPG DEAL

Redfoo, best known in Australia for his records with electro-pop duo LMFAO and as a judge on X Factor Australia, has finalised a new global administration deal with Universal Music Publishing Group.

The songwriter and producer, the youngest son of Motown founder Berry Gordy, said he “looked forward to what we will accomplish together – from having their support in my journey as a songwriter to finding creative opportunities to share my music with Party Rockers and new fans around the world.”

TWO FOR TROUBADOUR MUSIC’

Sydney-based Troubadour Music signed two new Australian acts to its management roster.

Sydney band Planet do a twist on Britpop, had their latest single ‘Aching Dream’ added to triple j (“a strong summer jam”) and been touring the East Coast after joining New World Artists.

Raised in Tamworth, before moving to Sydney and now finally calling Brisbane home, singer songwriter Paddy McHugh recently signed to ABC Music. He released his second album City Bound Trains, showcased at BIGSOUND 2017 and hit the festival circuit.

PETE MURRAY & BENNY OWEN OFFER LUXURY WELL BEING

Byron Bay singer-songwriter Pete Murray and fitness expert Benny Owen have set up Music and Movement Escapes, a four-night wellness retreat which combines fitness, well-being and music at the luxurious Elements of Byron Bay resort.

It includes surfing and yoga sessions, wellness workshops, eating healthily in Byron while the VIP package includes a quality one-on-one with Murray in his recording studio.

The first one is between Monday, February 12 and Friday, February 16 and includes a beachfront music gig on Valentine’s Day. For details visit musicandmovementescapes.com.

PERTH’S PACKCROWDFUNDS FOR STREAMING SERVICE

Perth start up The Pack Australia aka recording artists Melanie Bainbridge and Harry Deluxe have been crowdfunding on ING Dreamstarter since last month to raise $40,000 to set up a new streaming service that will allow Australian musicians to make money out of their recordings.

Its idea is to connect local business and listeners with the music makers.

Bainbridge says: “Our unsigned Aussie musos are creatively starving in an era of apparent musical prosperity – and we believe this will eventually have a hugely detrimental impact on our entire industry.

“We can’t let that happen. Our musicians are talented, skilled, hard-working and deserving, and we think they should be supported and rewarded.

“The Pack aims to make the art of creating and recording music in Australia a viable profession again.”

The campaign at https://campaigns.ing.com.au/Dreamstarter/Supp closes on November 17. They’ve so far reached 62% of their target..

SGT PEPPERS JUKEBOX: SIT BACK AND LET THE EVENING GO

Targeting both Beatles and vinyl fans, Apple Corp has licensed a Sgt. Pepper-themed vinyl jukebox.

Built by UK record company Sound Leisure and retailing for US$11,800 (including delivery and installation) the “unique rotating vinyl mechanism holds 70 45rpm records (not included) with 140 selection options the jukebox can play both A & B sides.

“The machine features a revolving title rack to select favorite records at the touch of a button.

“The Sgt. Pepper’s Vinyl Jukebox incorporates a Bluetooth receiver with the ability to stream digital music from a compatible device.

“It also features auxiliary outputs, input and additional speaker connections.

“A splendid quality sound is guaranteed for all from needle to ear via the Sound Leisure D4 amplifier and five way in built speaker system.”.

COCA-COLA EXPANDS INVOLVEMENT WITH TAMWORTH FESTIVAL

A partnership between Tamworth Country Music Festival and longtime supporter Coca-Cola Country will see a week-long of competitions for emerging artists at the Tamworth Town Hall before a backing band.

“This is an exciting opportunity to really encourage and support emerging Aussie talent as we celebrate our 40-year partnership with Toyota Country Music Festival,” said’ John Eggins, Coca-Cola Amatil District Sales Manager.

Events include Battle of the Young Stars, 18 and under, Battle of the New Stars,18 and over, Battle of the Bluegrass, Battle of the Bands and the walk up and sing apps.

GUCCI MANE STAYS AT ATLANTIC FOR $10M

In September, US rapper Gucci Mane tweeted he was leaving Atlantic Records at the end of his contract in 2018, and going the independent route, dropping a new mixtape every other day.

A quick change of mind seems to have taken place, as he will remain with the label and get paid US$10 million.

His current album Mr. Davis topped the R&B, Hip Hop and Rap charts and featured an array of best buddies as The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign.

SPOTIFY GETS INTO BEAUTY GAME

Spotify has got into a beauty service, for the first time announcing its 140 million subscribers to buy beauty products through an artist’s page.

It’s a new team-up between rising singer Maggie Lindemann who’s just dropped new single ‘Obsessed’, and makeip-artist-to-the-stars Pat McGrath Labs beauty brand.

Those going into Lindemann’s artist page (she apparently has 7 million listeners a month) can buy lipstick eyeshadow and other items via her merchandise.

The move is expected to be adopted by major names.

INTERNSHIPS FOR NSW FILMMAKERS

Create NSW’s Emerging Producer Placements scheme will see young filmmakers Niki Aken and Charles Billeh undertake customised six-month paid internships in industry, learning under the best, for their different skills.

Aken, already a screenwriter, will learn about all aspects of the production finance process from Create NSW Screen Investment Senior Manager Sally Regan.

Billeh joins the Create NSW team in February to learn production finance and network at industry events.

RUKHSANA MERRISE THROUGH CAROLINE AUSTRALIA

West London based Rukhsana Merrise aka Rox has her single ‘Talk About It’ (ft Ghetts) released locally through Caroline Australia via a deal with Communion Records.

Having previously toured with likes of James Bay, Oh Wonder and Michael Kiwanuka, Rukhsana has spent the last two years honing her craft. Her debut album, due out next year, will feature Rag ‘N’ Bone Man with whom she is touring Europe.

NZ AWARDS CONTINUES FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH

For the third year in a row, Recorded Music has aligned with The New Zealand Music Foundation as the charity partner for the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Recorded Music CEO Damian Vaughan says, “The Foundation develops and supports many wonderful music projects across the country and it plays a vital part in our industry providing support to NZ musicians experiencing physical and mental health & wellbeing challenges.

“Their work in this space and with the creation of the helpline for those in the music industry has been amazing and a welcome initiative.”