New Signings & Team-Ups: September 22

Jazz guitarist Albert Dadon launches ALFI Records

Melbourne jazz guitarist Albert Dadon (aka Albare) has set up an international label ALFI Records, to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by The Planet Company, and the rest of the world by Naxos of America, Inc. New York A&R and producer veteran Carl Griffin (Diana Krall, BB King, Ramsey Lewis) will serve as SVP of A&R.

ALFI (Art Lab For Innovation) launches with live recordings by Daddon (a collaboration with players from Cuba, Italy and Venezuela), 10-time Grammy winner Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, pianist Joe Chindamo & violinist Zoë Black reworking a Bach masterpiece, Melbourne pianist Phil Turcio and Cuban/Venezuelan keyboardist César Orozco and his group, Kamarata Jazz César Orozco.

Albare says launching the label is like taking “the plunge in a pool where you know the water is a bit cool. Eventually you jump in headfirst. We’re in the water now.” Born in Morocco and growing up in Israel and France, he moved to Melbourne 30 years ago. He also ran the Melbourne Jazz Festival and creating the Bell Awards to honour jazz musicians.

Sony Music Australia to release Def Leppard album

Sony Music Entertainment Australia will release Def Leppard’s album Def Leppard on October 30. Its three-date Australian arena tour is between November 17 to 21. Singer Joe Elliott explains that they initially came together to put together a three-track EP “and ended up with 12 songs we reckon are hits.” The Sony deal is through Lep’s pact with UK indie earMusic.

Def Leppard have sold 100 million albums globally since forming in 1977 in Sheffield, with Pyromania and Hysteria each shifting 10 million in the US. In Australia it had two chart toppers with Adrenalize and Hysteria on previous label Universal Music, with the latter spending a massive 67 weeks in the Top 50.

Monday Records work with Home Lives

Sydney’s Monday Records, now marking its 10th year, is releasing US guitar duo Home Lives’ debut album in this country. First release is irresistible debut single Cool Waves, Young Blood. Mike Horgan and Brittany Cohen from upstate New York, first bonded when they saw their first dead body together when at primary school. They teamed with Monday Records after a meeting at CMJ last year.

Timbaland expands Ole deal

High profile US producer and songwriter Timbaland expanded his deal with Canadian music publishing firm ole to a worldwide co-publishing agreement. Previously, Timbaland’s deal with ole had been for administration.

Three new signings for HUB Artist Services

Sydney-based HUB Artist Services various divisions, while celebrating the 15th anniversary of The Bamboos and a new release by Dallas Green’s City and Colour, have also expanded their roster by three. George Byrne from Byron Bay who now lives in Los Angeles where he cut his debut album Hollywood Lights, Sydney’s multi-faceted Bec and Norway pop singer Anna Of The North.

James Arthur firms up Sony Music association

UK singer songwriter James Arthur, whose debut single Impossible went multi-platinum in Australia on the back of his 2012 win of The X Factor UK, has firmed up his association with Sony Music Entertainment before releasing his second album in 2016. He signed a worldwide deal with Columbia Germany and extended his publishing with Sony/ATV UK.

Presto to also present AACTA Industry Dinner

Following on from last month’s announcement that streaming video on demand firm Presto will be presenting partner for the fifth AACTA Awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts,) Presto will also present the function’s earlier Awards Dinner.

The Industry Dinner, (formerly a lunch) presents 20 trophies on Monday November 30 at Star Sydney and hosted by actor, writer and producer Rob Carlton. The awards ceremony and official after party is on Wednesday December 9, also at The Star, is broadcast on Presto co-owner Seven Network.

Post-production facility Blue Post is also a new presenting partner of the awards.

Lily Allen splits from Maverick management

Lily Allen’s stint with Scott Rodger and Henry Village’s Maverick Management didn’t make it to its first year. She signed with them last October after six years with Rocket Management, leaving them after her third album Sheezus. Allen recently took to Twitter to deny reports her marriage is in trouble.

Wiggles appoint Brett Oaten Solicitors

The Wiggles have appointed Sydney-based Brett Oaten Solicitors as their legal advisers. Oaten says, “It’s a great honour, not least because my kids grew up to their music and I’ve seen Murray (the founding Red Wiggle) at every great rock show in Sydney for about the last 15 years.”

Rule Britannia

Australia will see an interactive history format on five decades of British rock and pop music. It will be produced by London indie 7 Wonder, which is backed by Seven Network Australia. The People’s History of Pop series is seen through the eyes (and memorabilia) of fans. It consists of four 60-minute TV shows. In the UK each episode will be aired in each quarter of 2016 on BBC Four and BBC Radio.

MRN teams with Triton Digital

Maquarie Radio Network has struck a partnership with Triton Digital, technology provider for the audio industry. It will utliise Triton’s new programmatic audio advertising exchange a2x for the programmatic purchase of online and mobile digital audio inventory available across Macquarie’s websites including talk station 2GB and Easy Listening 2CH.

Kobalt Label Services signs King Charles

Kobalt Label Services (KLS) signed a label services agreement with British singer-songwriter King Charles aka Charles Costa. It covers digital distribution, physical distribution, marketing, international marketing and synch licensing. It covers his follow up to his 2012 debut album LoveBlood, due out next year on his own imprint Buffalo Gang. Charles retains full ownership and control of his rights.

Dubai International airport sets up live music stage

Dubai International airport is setting up a live music stage called musicDXB to entertain its customers. The first performer is Katy Perry on November 10, and then Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jack Pack. The shows, booked through local event management and music promotion firm Done Events, can be seen in Australia on social media.

SCA to expand rooftop brand

Southern Cross Austereo plans to expand its intimate World Famous Rooftops series from just music events to more commercial. David Cameron, head of the Hit Network at SCA told B&T that down the track, the idea is to bring in sponsors. He also revealed the network did not pay a performance fee for Justin Bieber’s September 28 appearance to 300 fans, because “He values the exposure that he would get on the Rooftop to billions of people.”

Audie/STC celebrate ten years together

Whem car manufacturer Audi Australia and the Sydney Theatre Company celebrated their ten-year partnership, they decided to do something different – with a series of ten commissioned portraits. The two-day shoot used images from STC productions lit by Audi’s matrix beam lighting technology. Audi Australia Managing Director Andrew Doyle explained, “Audi is the market leader in high-technology lighting solutions, and given the importance of lighting in theatre to create mood and dramatic moments, the collaboration worked incredibly well to highlight both brands’ expertise.”

Finding Tamworth’s social conscience

Tamworth Family Support Services and the new $2,5 million drop-in centre Youthies – it includes an auditorium, stage and sound recording room – are jointly running a songwriting competition. Local composers aged 12 to 18 will highlight social issues and healthy lifestyle choices. Part of the prize includes the chance to record the track for a CD to be released during January’s country music festival, and get advice on copyright and songwriting skills.

Perth festival gets sponsored

The sponsors of this year’s Angove Street Festival in Perth, which attracts 50,000 people a year, include The City of Vincent, Lotterywest and Bendigo Bank. Local promoter Cool Perth Nights! Is presenting the Rosemount main stage featuring local acts as Jacob Diamond, The Grain, Tim Nelson, Silver Hills, The Wilds and MC Justin Walshel.

Hoyts using ROKT platform

To expand its digital offerings and source a new income stream from current business activity, entertainment group Hoyts is using transaction marketing company ROKT’s platform which is used by 50 global brands.