New Signings & Team-Ups: June 6

REPORT: SONY/ATV HAS SHARE IN TENCENT

A little bit of investigation by Music Business Worldwide (MBW)  discovered that Sony/ATV has a stake in Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), a division of China’s $500 billion entertainment giant Tencent.

MBW uncovered the news after taking a second look at Spotify’s financials from March, of which Tencent has a 9.5% stake.

Tencent, it must be remembered, is readying an IPO in the US d which would value it at $25 billion.

MBW reported overnight that after it published the Sony/ATC0Tencent link, the publisher has confirmed  that , as per its policy, it will share any proceeds from the sale of its stake in TME with its songwriters.

HANA VU GETS AUSTRALIAN RELEASE

17-year-old Los Angeles artist Hana Vu will have her self-produced debut EP How Many Times Have You Driven By issued in the Australian and New Zealand market through Barely Dressed Records/ Remote Control.

Her new single ‘Shallow’ is a change in direction, more of a hard rock ballad than her previous efforts.

SELECT MUSIC SNAPS UP CROCODYLUS

Sydney band Crocodylus have joined the ranks at booking agency Select Music alongside DZ Deathrays, The Preatures, Polish Club, Skeggs, Ruby Fields, Bleeding Knees Club I Know Leopard and Pist Idiots.

Drummer Mikel said their new agency mates were either mates or “bands we look up to. We’re stoked to be apart of it all”

With support from triple j and community radio, Crocodylus hit the road again in July, playing the Universalley Festival in Adelaide next to Jaala and Press Club before they hit the studio to record their debut album.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE GET SONY HOME

US metal band Killswitch Engage, who’re touring Australia in October and November with Parkway Drive, have their next music released here through Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

It is part of a sign-up with Metal Blade Records and with Sony Music Entertainment outside of North America,.

Currently finishing work on their upcoming album, Killswitch Engage have taken a break from recording to embark on a summer European tour with Iron Maiden.

AUSTRALIA GETS HAVAIANAS CAMPAIGN

Australia has its own operations of Brazilian flip-flop and summer accessory brand Havaianas, so it’s not surprising it will be part of the new worldwide campaign called ‘Let’s Summer’.

The campaign is sound-tracked by Colombian superstar Maluma and Brazilian singer Lellêzinha in a song called ‘Let’s Summer’ (‘Veraneemos’) which is sung in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Colombia, Brazil and Spain get a TV ad while Australia gets a digital campaign, as does U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia.

123 AGENCY TUNES UP

123 Agency’s latest roster addition is New Zealand dub-funk-psychedelic six piece Tunes of 1.

Formed at Wellington’s NZ School of Music in 2011, the jazz trained collective boasts an experienced rhythm section and two of New Zealand’s best horn players.

After their sell-out run opening for Ocean Alley, 123 now has them back in August for their own headlining intimate shows Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in August.

LENNON GALLAGHER FACE OF SAINT LAURENT

Liam Gallagher’s 18 year old son Lennon, who made his debut as a catwalk fashion model in January 2017, is the new face of Saint Laurent menswear.

He’s currently on UK TV in an ad sporting a leopard print coat to the soundtrack of The Velvet Underground..

KASMUEN TO RELEASE BABY 8 DEBUT

Melbourne-based Kasumuen Records will issue the debut album by Baby 8, We Hate Each Other But We Hate You More.

The act consists of Katie Dixon ((Powerline Sneakers), Maureen Gearon ((NQR),) Matty Whittle (GOD) and introducing Rachel Lenvay.

Kasumuen  describes Baby 8 music as: “Think The Breeders meet Wire at Varuca Salt’s house party, and they don’t ever talk about boy troubles!”

KORA AT COUNTRY ROCKS

Shellharbour, NSW, country music teenager Kora Naughton has signed on the dotted line with Country Rocks Records.

“Kora first grabbed our attention performing at the 2017 Nelligen Winter Breaker Party,” said Country Rocks manager Michael Bond.

“Since then, she has been part of our Spotlight Artist program releasing her hit single ‘I Don’t Wanna Grow Up’.

“We have been so impressed with Kora and believed it was time to take the next step and officially welcome her to the Country Rocks Records family.”

Country Rocks is distributed by MGM. Her debut album Ride Or Die will be released in July.

Naughton is a graduate of the Junior Academy of Country Music and winner of the 2017 Southern Stars Australian Independent Rising Star Female award.

RVG SET FOR UK ISSUE

Following their recent signing with Fat Possum, Melbourne outfit RVG is issuing their debut album A Quality of Mercy in the UK on Friday July 6.

In Australia the record was originally self-released, ad then re-released Our Golden Friend/Island Records.

RVG made their debut in Europe supporting Shame in May and at the Great Escape. They return to the UK in July.

KIDS RADIO JOINS ARN DIGITAL

Popular kids radio station Kinderling is available on Australian Radio Network’s DAB+ digital spectrum and iHeartRadio platform from July 1.

Launched in 2015, Kinderling plays music and shows created especially for parents and children up to the age of seven.

Kinderling chief executive officer, Evan Kaldor said, “Over the last three years, Kinderling Kids Radio has built a reputation as an innovative, fast-growing content and media brand.

“Our new partnership with ARN enables us to accelerate this audience growth by introducing iHeartRadio’s audience of 1 million to Kinderling, as well as providing significant crossover opportunities with ARN’s portfolio of shows.”