Velvet Trip Signs Global Publishing Deal With BMG

Velvet Trip, the musical project of Wiradjuri songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Zeppelin Hamilton, has signed an exclusive global publishing deal with BMG.

The agreement follows a significant 12 months for Hamilton with the release of his second album Glimmers Continued earlier this year.

The record was named triple j's Feature Album and debuted at No. 5 on the ARIA Australian Albums Chart. Velvet Trip also finished as triple j Unearthed's most-played artist and the No. 43 most-played artist across triple j, while single “The Bends” reached No. 11 on the station's Most Played chart.

The track also peaked at No. 55 on the Australian Shazam Chart, becoming the highest-charting independent release at the time.

Hamilton said joining BMG's publishing roster marked a significant next step for the project. “I'm honored to be working alongside the amazing team at BMG across the globe. I've been a huge fan of their roster from afar for many years, so it's a real pinch-myself moment to now be partnering with them and to be considered alongside the world-class artists they represent.”

The deal also follows a growing live profile for Velvet Trip. Hamilton has sold out headline shows at the Sydney Opera House's Utzon Room and Melbourne's Northcote Social Club, while supporting the likes of Djo, Parcels, Ocean Alley and Middle Kids.

Velvet Trip has also appeared at Bluesfest, Yours & Owls, triple j One Night Stand and Party In The Paddock, as well as performing at the National Indigenous Music Awards. 

BMG President, Australia, New Zealand & South-East Asia, Heath Johns said there had been unanimous interest in Hamilton across the company's local A&R team. “All four members of our A&R team independently put Velvet Trip on the BMG radar, and when it’s unanimous, we sign immediately. Velvet Trip is on the verge of a major breakout," he said. 

"The songs are all incredible, the live show is world-class, and Zepp is the type of artist who commands attention wherever he goes. The whole team is beyond hyped to take this incredible music to the world”.

Away from his own releases and performances, Hamilton is an ambassador for the Australian Music Venue Foundation and MusicNSW and recently received an APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award.

The new deal sees Velvet Trip join BMG's Australian and New Zealand publishing roster alongside Neil Finn, Young Franco, KLP, Jet, Keli Holiday, The Cat Empire, What So Not, Ladyhawke and Bag Raiders.