New Signings: Joel Little renews Sony/ATV deal, etcetc and 123 Agency welcome two new acts

JOEL LITTLE RENEWS GLOBAL SONY/ATV DEAL

Pictured, left to right, Rick Krim (Sony/ATV Co-President, U.S.), Joel Little, Jennifer Knoepfle (Sony/ATV SVP and Co-Head of West Coast A&R) and Ashley Page (Joel Little’s manager).

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has renewed its worldwide deal with songwriter, musician and producer Joel Little.

It includes his work with Lorde (he co-produced and co-wrote her multi-platinum debut album Pure Heroine which sold 3 million in the US alone as well as her later material as “Green Light”) as well as Amy Shark, Khalid, Imagine Dragons (including their #1 smash “Whatever It Takes”), Sam Smith, 6LACK, Daya, Mikky Ekko and Noah Kahan.

Little said: “Sony/ATV have been taking care of me for 10 years now and at this point it just feels like home.

“The extended family there have put in so much hard work for me over the years and I can’t wait to see where we take things with this next chapter.”

Sony/ATV co-president, US, Rick Krim, added “It has been an honor and a pleasure for all of us at Sony/ATV to work with Joel, and we couldn’t be happier for his ongoing success.

“We are thrilled to be continuing with him and are excited about what the future will bring.”

Sony/ATV SVP and co-head of West Coast A&R Jennifer Knoepfle, continued: “It’s been an incredible ride working side by side with this talented and lovely man.

“I am so proud of the work he’s created throughout his career and so happy we are continuing our long-standing relationship.”

Little’s manager Ashley Page said: “Sony ATV have always valued and recognized Joel’s talent, providing every opportunity for his continued growth.

“It’s been an incredible partnership, something clearly recognized in the new arrangement, and we’re really looking forward to greater success together.”

CLYPSO JOINS  ETCET, ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP

Sydney-based CLYPSO who broke through last year with the single “YOLO”, has signed to etcetc Music, joining the likes of PNAU and What So Not.

This year she delivered tracks as “Pop Roll Flow” and “Middle Ground” featuring Kwame.

Her first release on the label is the single “Strange Behaviour” featuring Melbourne rapper Sophiegrophy.

It’s off the Cameo EP due in January

Aden Mullens, general manager of etcetc Music said, “It’s no secret there’s some real excitement around CLYPSO right now.

“Claudine is a true creative with a contagious energy and we’re so proud to welcome CLYPSO and her amazing manager Shelley Liu to the etcetc family.”

CLYPSO recalled, “Aden came to one of my very first gigs.

“The sound was bad and my tracks were at their very early stages of production.

“But I think that’s exactly it; team etcetc could see the vision and its potential.

“Their belief in me as an artist and producer has given me the extra energy to push the limits of each new song and project I embark on. All about the day ones.”

THUNDER FOX AT 123

Sydney northern beaches six piece psychedelic funk-rock band Thunder Fox assigned their bookings to 123 Agency  (repped by Jeremy Rotberg) just as they dropped new single “Squeed Up”.

Vocalist and guitarist Sam Dawes explains, “I wrote ‘Squeedup’ after I had my heart broken. I thought there would be no better way to overcome that insecurity than to just take the piss out of the whole situation.

“Unhealthy maybe, but it worked!”

The track follows six months of international shows for Thunder Fox; a European summer tour playing through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain.

The band plays Lost Paradise festival – Glenworth Valley, NSW, on December 31 and follows with an East Coast club run.

MERLIN STRIKES DIRECT LICENSING WITH MIXCLOUD

Merlin’s latest licensing deal is with audio streaming platform Mixcloud.

The platform recently also pacted with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group as part of a strategy to

ensure all underlying rights holders receive royalties when their music is played as part of Mixcloud’s current streaming music options, as well as the upcoming subscription service.

Nico Perez, co-founder of Mixcloud explained, “Mixcloud has been built from the ground up by and for a passionate community of creators.

“Signing this direct licensing deal with Merlin is particularly exciting for us, as the independent label ethos that the Merlin network represents so closely reflect our own values.

“It makes a lot of sense for us to solidify this relationship with the independent sector, so that we can work toward building a sustainable ecosystem for audio culture.”

Merlin CEO Charles Caldas further noted,  “Merlin’s independent label members already contribute to a significant and growing part of Mixcloud’s programming.

“With a long-term partnership in place we look forward to expanding this relationship, fuelling new innovation, and ensuring our members’ extensive repertoire is reaching the widest possible global audience.”

JANET JACKSON GETS GLOBAL REPPING FROM PARADIGM

Janet Jackson who’s gone down the independent route for her future record releases, has now signed with Paradigm agency for global representation in all areas, including touring, theatrical, film, branding and more.

She was previously with William Morris Agency.

“Janet Jackson is one of the most iconic and culturally significant artists of all time and we are thrilled to partner with her to create global opportunities for her as an artist and for the art she creates,” said Sam Gores, chairman and CEO of Paradigm.

“We will also seek inspiring opportunities to support Janet’s long history and dedication to social activism and female and

gender advocacy.”

ED SHEERAM BROTHER MATT GETS BMG DEAL

Matt Sheeran, elder brother of Ed, struck a  global publishing deal with BMG and BMG Production Music.

Matt is a classically trained composer and songwriter in his own right and worked on chart hits, film scores, and advertisements.

Matt co-wrote a new version of Ed’s “Perfect”, featuring string orchestration alongside the vocals and lyrics of Andrea Bocelli.

“Perfect Symphony “has reached over 150 million views on YouTube.

Matt Sheeran said: “I saw three different publishing companies that were all really good, but BMG was really exceptional. It wasn’t a difficult decision. It definitely felt like the right place to go.”

Hugo Turquet, BMG SVP publishing A&R, said: “BMG is able to give (Matt Sheeran) the environment where he can explore his creativity across production music and commercial music under one roof.

“There’s no doubt that he will find a great home here.”

HIPNOSIS GETS STAKE IN CHIC CO-FOUNDER CATALOGUE

Hipgnosis Songs, the Guernsey-registered music IP investment company set up by former Beyoncé and Guns N’ Roses manager Merck Mercuriadis, has made another investment.

It has acquired a 37.5% stake in the catalogue of Chic co-founder Bernard Edwards.

He co-wrote Chic smashes as “Le Freak”, “I Want Your Love”,  “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)”,  and “Good Times.”

The catalogue of 290 songs also includes Sister Sledge hits “He’s The Greatest Dancer”, “We Are Family” and “Lost in Music”, as well as Diana Ross’ “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out.”

Edwards died in 1996, aged 43.

KOBALT GIVES JESSE & JOY GLOBAL VOICE

Kobalt Music gives Mexican-American singer-songwriters Jesse & Joy a global voice with a worldwide deal.

They’ve won six Latin Grammys, including last year for Best Latin Pop Album, Un Besito Más.

TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING FESTIVAL.

The Tasmanian government  is through its Events Tasmania division providing funding for five years for the new  Musical Theatre Festival.

Based in Launceston with a hub at Princess Theatre. It also covers four days of workshops and masterclasses.

‘Tasmania, and especially Launceston has a rich history of outstanding talent in producing musical theatre,’ said Australian Musical Theatre festival manager, Jane Forrest.

MOSHTIX LAUNCHES CHARITY RAFFLE

Moshtix co-owner and managing director Vanessa Bond embarked on a 10-day adventure in India as part of the Taronga CEO Challenge.

As part of the challenge, participants are set a fundraising goal.

To support, Moshtix has launched a raffle in partnership with Taronga Zoo Sydney, with 100% of proceeds from the raffle being donated to the Taronga Foundation.

Running through mid-December, the raffle will see one lucky winner awarded the major prize, which includes Diamond NYE Passes at Taronga Zoo Sydney, a Roar & Snore Package at Taronga Zoo Sydney, and a double pass to a Moshtix-ticketed festival of their choice in 2019.

Fundraising efforts will help the Taronga Foundation support priority conservation projects for threatened and endangered wildlife in Australia and around the world, and protect the future of Taronga’s ten legacy species

SUPERJESUS GUITARIST GETS ENDORSED

The Superjesus’ guitarist Jason Slack is now endorsed by one of his favourite effect companies: Eventide.

“I’ve been a fan of Eventide from the day I heard the H3000 on Steve Vai’s Passion and Warfare,” he said.

“ Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I’d be endorsed by this pro effect company.

“I’ve enjoyed the capabilities of the Timefactor over the past few years and I can’t wait to see the possibilities of the H9 Max.”

Other Eventide endorsed artists include Dave Kilminster (Roger Waters),Vernon Reid , Josh Homme, Dweezil Zappa, John Petrucci and Steve Vai.