Origin Music Publishing goes wholly independent

Image: Melbourne’sCookin’ On 3 Burners

After being administered by Alberts and its affiliates for close to nine years, ORiGiN Music Publishing is now fully independent with its own infrastructure, closely aligned with the well established ORiGiN Theatrical business.

Speaking to TMN, ORiGiN’s Creative Director Philip Mortlock said: “This is a people business dealing with creativity and music content. It is important for any artists, composers, managers and (international) catalogues to have a choice, and we are a consistent independent alternative.”

Mortlock told TMN that after Alberts announced its sale to BMGearly July, he was offered a position to stay on with BMG as a consultant, but decided to put his focus and attention on theORiGiN Music business.

This comes in the wake of a strong year for the company. The mix of Melbourne soul outfit Cookin’ On 3 Burners’ This Girl by French DJ, and record producer Kungs went to #2 in the UK and topped the European Breakthrough charts.

The Australian band is following it up with a remix by Finnish DJ Lenno for their track Mind Made Up.

Meantime Tinpan Orange yesterday began a 17-date European run with The Cat Empire, that winds up on November 19.

The first eight dates are in Germany, where their Love Is A Dog album is about to be released. The single Rich Man is starting to get airplay there.

ORiGiN Music is about to announce new catalogue additions and its new global sub-publishing network shortly.

“Timing is such an integral part of the music business,” said Mortlock.

“We’ve enjoyed a long association with the highly reputable Alberts but now that that has come to a close we find this is a great time to re-establish our independence.”

ORiGiN Music Publishing was set up in 1994 by former Warner Music imprint East West Managing Philip Mortlock and accountant Philip Walker who came from a background in advertising servicing, manufacturing, property and finance.

In ten years it signed up an Australian roster that included Diana Anaid, the individual members of LAZAROS DOG, Peter Dasent, Mark Duffy, Eric McCusker, Tom Ferris, Garry Frost, Ben Garden and Rob Kitler of The Aviators, Graeham Goble, Elizabeth Henshaw, Simon Horn, Kevin Kehoe, Jade McCrae, Sarah McGregor, Joanne McDonnell, the members of Eva Trout, James Morrison, Asli Ozdogan, the individual members of Fishing With Henry, Lucinda Peters, Jim Reece, Don Miller Robinson, Mary and Rita Schneider, George TELEK, Scott Tinkler and Adrian Van de Velde.

The company had great success in international sync licensing. Tracks licensed to film and TV productions including Sex In The City, Malcolm In The Middle, In The Cut, Lantana, Risk, Erskineville Kings, Big Brother, Last Man Standing and Dawson’s Creek.

In advertising ORiGiN works used in commercials for NISSAN, JVC, McDonalds, Freestyle, Just Jeans and Fox Sports.