New Signings & Team-Ups: July 27
WARNER /CHAPPELL ADDS REUBEN JAMES TO GLOBAL ROSTER
Warner/Chappell’s latest global signing is British songwriter and jazz pianist Reuben James.
James came to attention in Australia co-writing for Sam Smith, including The Thrill Of It All and Him, and playing in his band on a world tour.
He also collaborated with Bruno Major, Calum Scott, Disclosure, Liam Payne, Little Mix, Tom Misch and Tori Kelly.
He previously took out the Rising Star trophy at the British Jazz Awards.
Mike Smith, MD, Warner/Chappell Music UK, said, “Reuben is an incredibly gifted musician and songwriter.
“I’m so pleased he’s going to take centre stage and release his own material, as well as continuing to tap into his global contact book to keep collaborating with some of the finest artists around the world.”
Rueben is currently working with UK band Honne on their album, and Californian producer Kingdm, and will eventually release his own albums.
He also plans to release his own records alongside artist collaborations.
WILD THING REPPING BRISBANE’S OPUS OF A MACHINE
Wild Thing Presents has become the booking agency for Brisbane prog-rock band Opus Of A Machine.
They already represent Caligula’s Horse, Circles, Orsome Welles, Alithia, and Dyssidia.
Wild Thing CEO Eli Chamravi, says, “I’ve known the Opus Of A Machine guys for sometime in and around Caligula’s Horse.
“They’re an excellent progressive alternative rock outfit, full of atmospheric passages, slick riffs, and big choruses.
“I caught their impressive Progfest Brisbane performance earlier this year, with their set full of amazing new album tracks which really captivated me.”
Formed in 2013, Opus Of A Machine are about to go on the road with Caligula’s Horse behind their Stray Fire album, out on August 3.
HILLS CITY ANNOUNCED
The Hills Are Alive festival, staged for the last ten years in the Victorian country region of Gippsland, announced the inaugural Hills City event
It is in partnership with the Melbourne live music venue Corner Hotel and the Comedy Festival.
Hill City will be an all-day event staged in the Corner car park on Friday, September 28.
It includes bands as The Bennies, Batts and Planet, along with DJs and comedians, food trucks and drinks vans
NEW MANAGEMENT FOR LOUIS TOMLINSON
Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson has switched management, from James Grant Group to LA-based Three Six Zero Group founder, Mark Gillespie and its former artist management VP Matt Vines.
MATON GUITARS FEATURED IN MUSIC VAULT
The Australian Music Vault is featuring Maton Guitars as an Australian success story.
It was founded in Melbourne in 1946 by Bill and Reg May, with the name a combination of May and “tone”.
The section features guitars played by John Butler, Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Manning, Grinspoon’s Pat Davern and the Violent Femmes’ Brian Ritchie.
There is also images and historical documents of the firm’s rise, and video interviews with Emmanuel, Tash Sultana, Gordi and Maton’s chief luthier Andy Allen..
Maton guitars can be found in the collections of the likes of Jimmy Page, Harry Vanda, Diesel, Michael Franti, John Fogerty, REM’s Mike Mills, Josh Homme and even Elvis Presley who’s seen playing one in his 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock.
CREATABILITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM SET UP
The Createability Internship Program is a partnership between Create NSW, Accessible Arts and a range of major arts and screen organisations to grow participation for practitioners with disability.
It includes customised training for up to eight participants with disability, facilitated by the leading arts and disability organisation, Accessible Arts, followed by paid internships in major organisations across the arts, screen and cultural sectors.
These host organisation partners include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Museum of Contemporary Art, Campbelltown Arts Centre, ABC, SBS, Nine, Carriageworks, National Theatre of Paramatta, Animal Logic, Goalpost Pictures, Jungle Entertainment and Art Gallery of NSW.
Industry training partners include AFTRS and Bus Stop Films.
More info at create.nsw.gov.au.
BMG EXTENDS CAT’S TALE
BMG extended its long-term administration deal with veteran singer-songwriter Cat Stevens aka Yusef Islam to a wider one, to include other audio-visual projects including a documentary and his literary work.
BMGs administrative deal now covers his entire 185 songs written between 1965 and 2017.
Stevens has sold 60 million albums. BMG will release some of his back catalogue, working with his Cat-O-Log Records for more sync work and to reach new audiences with his philosophy of peace and commitment to charity.
His greatest songs include Peace Train, Morning Has Broken, Father & Sun, I’m Gonna Get Me A Gun, Into White and The First Cut Is The Deepest.
SMITH STREET BAND HERE FOR THE BEER
The Smith Street Band are the latest Aussie band to brew their own beer, with their Lee Hartney Experience brew.
It is produced with Fixation Brewing whose Tom Delmont counts himself a major fan since seeing them play six years ago at a Wednesday night residency.
Lee Hartney is the guitarist with the Melbourne punk band.
TSSB will showcase their beer at the 5th Beer InCider Experience September. 21—22 at Brisbane Showgrounds.
The band plays at the event, alongside The Jungle Giants, Tired Lion, Bad//Dreems, Press Club and Bugs.
UNIVERSAL PARKS IN NZ’S HANGAR 18
Universal Music Group MCA in the Philippines finalised an Asia-wide agreement with New Zealand band Hangar 18.
Their records will be issued in 15 countries, including the Philippines, India, China, Hong Kong and Thailand
The band toured the region last year and will play Singapore’s Music Matters in September.
EMIL SANDE SWITCHES TO PPL FOR NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS
Four-time BRIT Award winner Emeli Sandé MBE has switched to UK-based music licensing company, PPL, for administration of her international neighbouring rights collections.
She was previously repped by Kobalt, following its acquisition of Fintage House’s music divisions in 2016.
UMPG PACTS CHRIS YOUNG
American singer songwriter Chris Young whose most recent album, Losing Sleep, was his second to debut at #1 on the US country charts, has been signed to Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville.
Eight of his songs have topped the US country charts.
Kent Earls, EVP and general manager, UMPG Nashville said, “Chris Young is a publisher’s dream. He’s a gifted songwriter, incredible vocalist and selling out arenas on his current headlining tour.”
BELCONNENS ARTS CENTRE CHOOSES BUILDER
Canberra based company PBS Building has been appointed to build stage two of the Belconnen Arts Centre in Canberra.
Construction works will begin mid-late 2018 and is expected to take 18 months, with completion in late 2019.
The ACT government is investing $15 million over three years for the expansion.
It will include a unique multi-use town hall/performance space, a new dance studio and an expanded exhibition space.
UNIVERSAL/SONY HE GOES LIQUID
Universal Sony Home Entertainment has chosen Liquid Ideas to handle its communications, publicity, influencer marketing, and content accounts.
Cindy McCulloch, director of marketing and corporate strategy at Universal Home Entertainment said Liquid Ideas was chosen for displaying a “progressive communications vision”.
GUITAR BANDING
Australian Musician, in conjunction with the Australian Production team behind music documentary Acoustic Uprising, and supported by the Australian Music Association and NAMM, have set up the Melbourne International Guitar Night.
It is a regular night celebrating guitar sounds at The Toff in Town, Swanston St in the city.
Opening night on Wednesday, August 15 features Janine Marshall, Van Larkins, Malcura and Thomas Leeb.
Curator for the nights is Drew Roller, a guitarist who made the movie Acoustic Uprising about the acoustic guitar.
KINDERLING RADIO DOES ALEXA
Kinderling Kids Radio launched two new skills for Amazon Alexa in Australia & New Zealand.
Bedtime Explorers is a guided meditation and mindfulness series for kids and ‘Kinderling Kids News’ with Groovy Ruby.
Managing director of The Parent Brand, Lorna Clarkson, said “Alexa presents an enormous opportunity for safe, screen-free entertainment that the whole family can enjoy together.
“As a technology driven by an informal and intuitive language – it is perfect as a child-led experience.
“In the same way that Kinderling Kids Radio is tailored to a family’s routine, these two new Alexa skills are geared around a typical family day – providing up-beat entertainment in the morning with a song and a joke in our daily flash briefing; and then offering a choice of mindfulness exercises to help calm down the energy before bedtime.”
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