Why Peking Duk doubled down with BMG

Following the global success of 4x Platinum track ‘High feat. Nicole Millar’ – which became the #1 most played song on triple j in 2014, placed #2 on the Hottest 100, and won the ARIA for Best Dance Release – BMG kicked off its global stratagem for Peking Duk.

In June 2016, the world’s fourth largest publisher signed the multi-platinum duo to an exclusive global deal for the World excluding Australia and New Zealand.

Peking Duk signed to BMG in June 2016 Pictured (L-R): Back- Patrick Joest, Marian Wolf, Thomas Scherer, Jon Hanlon, Tracy Tarrach, Heath Johns (inset) Front- Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde

Prior to the signing announcement, BMG had its International Writer Services team design an exclusive bespoke songwriting camp at Wood Shed Studios in Malibu.

Titled the BMG Peking Duk SoundLab, BMG teamed together an eclectic mix of songwriters and artists from around the world to work with Peking Duk on new material at three separate studios.

In 2017, Peking Duk’s single featuring Elliphant, ‘Stranger’, won the Song of the Year ARIA Award, which clocked over 30 million Spotify streams and reached triple Platinum status.

The pair also teamed up with UK duo AlunaGeorge for ‘Fake Magic’, Swedish duo Icona Pop for ‘Let You Down’, which was later certified Platinum, and this year released ‘Wasted’, which hit #5 on Spotify USA’s New Music Friday and #1 on Lithuania’s iTunes Chart.

Now, as announced by BMG Australia, the publishing deal with the duo has expanded for Australia and New Zealand, turning their international pact with the company into a global deal.

Speaking to TIO, Managing Director of BMG Australia Heath Johns, said Peking Duk hits ‘Stranger’ and ‘Wasted’ were co-writes with the international BMG roster.

“[They] are proof that our A&R team has an intense focus on quality songwriting sessions,” said Johns. “Our commitment to delivering meaningful results for our artists and writers is a key differentiator for our company and the global creative spirit of BMG is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my career.”

Stream the clip for ‘Stranger’ below:

Johns revealed the BMG Peking Duk SoundLab also yielded multiple songs that will feature on the forthcoming Peking Duk album.

“Adam, Reubs, Bennis (co-manager Ben Dennis) and Jon (co-manager Jon ‘Glendale’ Hanlon) are family and to have them extend the deal to include our home territory is a real thrill for myself, Amy (Jarman, Senior A&R Manager, BMG Aus), and the rest of our incredible Australian team.”

Adam and Reuben of Peking Duk said in a statement, “We are STOKED to be a part of the most dynamic and enthusiastic music company in the world right now. We can’t wait to deliver some tunes with our new family at BMG”.

Peking Duk are showing no signs of slowing down this year; the pair will release a long-awaited debut LP, set to feature latest single ‘Wasted’.

Stream the clip for ‘Wasted’ below:

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.