New Signings & Team-Ups: April 18

AUSTRALIA GETS NEW GLOBAL MUSIC PROGRAM SUPERDRYSOUNDS

Australia is one of four countries to get SuperdrySounds, a new platform set up by clothing brand Superdry to provide opportunities for new and emerging talent.

These will be at Superdry-owned events and sponsored festival stages.

Australia has Superdry stores, as does the UK (where the brand has its headquarters), Germany and China.

SuperdrySounds will be produced by Vision Nine, the live entertainment and content specialists behind music, sports and skateboard festivals.

Euan Sutherland, Superdry CEO said, “As an entrepreneurial business known for relentless innovation, supporting up-and-coming new talent is in Superdry’s DNA.

“With SuperdrySounds we can giving rising new talent a global digital brand platform to perform on, as well as giving our customers access to great music.”

FIRST ACCESS PARTS WIH ZAYN, ELLIE

First Access Entertainment has parted company with Zayn Malik and Ellie Goulding, its CEO Sarah Stennett confirmed to Variety.

According to the magazine, the former One Direction member who signed to First Access three years ago when he went solo, “Sources say the artist is challenging to work with, declining many promotional opportunities and not touring behind his last album, although he is planning one behind the new set (out in June).”

Goulding has moved on to Tap Management.

“Sometimes in life you have to make extremely difficult decisions to effect positive change for everyone,” Stennett told Variety.

MUCHO BRAVADO TAKES OVER WHALEHOUSE MANAGEENT

Mucho Bravado took over management of Brisbane surf punk outfit Whalehouse, repped by Kat Bermingham.

The three piece, who’ve been gigging around for two years, release debut single ‘Sexy Whale Beach Party’.

The track, cut with producer Aidan Hogg (WAAX, Landings) and sharpened by L.A.-via-Brisbane’s Miro Mackie (Cold War Kids, St. Vincent, Bishop Briggs), is launched at Black Bear Lodge on April 28.

DOUBLE DRUMMER ADD BREEN

Double Drummer Music signed young Sydney singer and multi-instrumentalist Dominic Breen, who after playing in bands after high school, is now going the solo route.

He makes his debut with the double A-side single ‘Sydney Kids/The Words’.

Producer Wayne Connolly (Cloud Control, Boy & Bear, Paul Dempsey, Hungry Kids of Hungary) says, “A deeply talented artist who is only just beginning to show the amazing wealth of material he has in his back pocket.”

VIVENDI EXPANDS TICKETING BUSINESS

Universal Music parent company Vivendi has expanded its ticketing operations in Europe and the US after buying Amsterdam-based ticketing and technology company Paylogic from LiveStyle.

Paylogic sells 5 million tickets in more than 10 countries.

It will join Vivendi’s international ticketing services arm, See Tickets, which also struck a deal with LiveStyle to sell tickets for its US festivals and events as Electric Zoo New York, Ultimate Music Experience and Sunset Music Festival.

CITY OF SWAN OFFERS LOCAL LIVE MUSIC

The City of Swan in WA is offering its free live music series Live at Locale at the Locale Event Space each Sunday afternoon until May 20.

Mayor David Lucas said the choice of acts included blues, indie, dance and hip-hop.

“Live music shows are a chance for us to unplug and enjoy the experience with our family and friends,” he said.

“It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate local talent and discover new music”

LISTEN UP CHOOSES MENTAL HEALTH THEME

This year’s Listen Up Music Songwriter’s Festival wants entries to focus on mental health, and in particular the theme “I am here”.

Listen up founder Ali Taylor explained at the launch at Sydney’s Café Del Mar, “70% of musicians say they have suffered from anxiety or depression.

“We understand how tough it is to break into the music industry and find a label.

“That’s why we’re opening entries to our flagship competition, the Listen Up Music Songwriter’s Festival.”

It’s partnered with mental health charity R U OK?, full details here.

NEP GROUP ACQUIRES NZ LIVE

NEP Group, worldwide outsourced technical production partner supporting premier content producers of live sports and entertainment has acquired New Zealand’s NZ Live, an Auckland-based, independent playout, outside broadcast and studio provider.

NZ Live’s operation provides 24/7 multi-channel playout, outside broadcasting and studio production services to several clients throughout the region, operating four television studios and two outside broadcast mobile units.

NZ Live will be rebranded as NEP and work closely with the company’s NEP Australia division which is run by president Soames Treffry.

SONY/ATV EXPANDS CLASSICAL PRESENCE

Sony/ATV Music Publishing expanded its presence in classical music with a global sub-publishing agreement with London publishing and record company Abiah.

Its acts include classical music stars Carly Paoli and Romano Musumarra.

KASUMEN GETS NQR

Kasumen Records (Australia) has the local rights to NQR the new noisenik band for Kristian Brenchley (from New York’s WOMAN and Degreaser, the latter with fellow ex-pat Tim Evans), Denis Leadbetter (S-Bahn) and Maureen Gearon (Baby 8) with Ruth McIver (C**ting Daughters).

VODAFONE LAUNCHES STREAMING DEVICE

A team-up with Netflix sees Vodafone Australia launch its first ever streaming device called Vodafone TV which is added to customer accounts for an extra $5 a month.

Until the end of June, it offers customers a complimentary pre-paid 12-month standard subscription to Netflix on two of its 24-month nbn plans – Essential Plus and Premium – starting at $79 per month over 24 months.

BOX HILL INSTITUTE OFFERS HIP HOP COURSE

Box Hill Institute has opened applications for its 27-week Diploma of Music Industry (Specialising in Urban Music) course.

Lecturers as Nfa Jones (1200 techniques, House of Beige), Dizz1, Creamy Spies and Mantra will go through production, writing, performance, working with technology, copyright, publishing, self-releasing records and music videos.

Full details here.

JOHN PRINE GOES DOWNTOWN

Legendary US country folk singer songwriter John Prine has concluded a publishing deal with Downtown.

It covers 230 songs – recorded by Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, The Everly Brothers, John Denver, Kris Kristofferson – as well as his new album The Tree of Forgiveness.

COLLECTIVE ARTISTS ADDS GENEVE

Sydney based booking agency Collective Artists added Perth pop singer songwriter Carla Geneve, currently making waves with single ‘Greg’s Discount Chemist’.

Geneve, says, “It’s super humbling to be on a roster which includes many artists whose work means a lot to me, (a couple include Julia Jacklin, Jen Cloher and HUSKY).

“This is a huge step for us, and I’d like to take a mo to thank everyone that’s given us support over the past year.”

A set at Mojos Bar Fremantle on April 28 is announced.