Aussie Festival Promoters To Appear At Global Rock Summit
Legendary Aussie industry figure Michael Chugg and Soundwave boss and Big Day Out co-promoter AJ Maddah are among the inaugural list of speakers at the first-ever Global Rock Summit. Launched by A&R Worldwide President Sat Bisla, the brand new music industry conference debuts this April at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in California. With a focus on rock music worldwide, other speakers at the event alongside Maddah and Chug include BBC Radio 1 DJ Dan Carter, Warner Bros Records exec Jeff Sosnow, XFM’s Mike Walsh, and PledgeMusic’s John Lenac. Further info and registrations are available now at the official Global Rock Summit website. (via The Music Network)
The Preatures Sign To Mushroom Music Publishing, Going Global
Shortly after releasing new video/single ‘Better Than It Ever Could Be’, The Preatures have inked a deal with Mushroom Music Publishing. The signing will see the legendary Australian music company supporting the dynamic Sydney five-piece in their bid for international attention, won over by their “calibre of songwriting, industrious approach, and natural magnetism” remarks Mushroom Music Head of A&R Linda Bosidis. Off the back of the success of Is This How You Feel?, The Preatures signed international deals with Harvest Records in the US and Virgin EMI in the UK, where they’re returning for a European tour followed by an American trip that includes appearances at Coachella and SXSW 2014, as one of a record-breaking 55 Aussie bands headed to the Austin, Texas industry conference this year.
iTunes Radio Launches Down Under
Australia has become the first territory outside of America to receive Apple’s iTunes Radio streaming service, which first launched in the US in September 2013 and reached over 2 billion streams and 20 million users within the first month. Available as free, automated update to the iTunes player on both desktop and smartphone, the ad-supported streaming service curates a virtual internet radio station based on the listening habits of a user’s iTunes library. Users can listen ad-free with a purchase of Apple’s $34.99 iTunes Match annual subscription. More info at https://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-radio/
Deezer Closes Down Australian Office
While Apple expands its streaming into Australia, French streaming service Deezer is shutting up shop Down Under – just over 12 months after launching to strong success in Australia in 2012 – quickly solidifying a second-place position behind Spotify. The news came via Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Thomas Heymann, who confirmed his surprise exit from the company last Friday in a release to music media. “I believe Deezer has the most innovative music subscription offer on the market place. It is a service created by music fans for music fans with a human touch and I am wishing the brilliant global team a continuation of their exciting global success,” wrote Heymann. The handling of local operations will go back to Paris and Singapore offices. While its a blow to the on-demand streaming service, Deezer has yet to expand into North America and is already on track to overtake Spotify’s 7 million users in 2014. (via TheMusic)
I OH YOU Expand Roster With DMA’s Signing
Fresh-faced Newtown band DMA’s are the latest band to join the roster of Aussie indie label I OH YOU. The Sydney trio have “never played a show and are yet to properly release a track,” says I OH YOU’s Johann Ponniah who signed the band off the strength of demos recorded by guitarist Johnny Took (Little Bastard) and DMA’s bandmates Tommy O and Matt Mason. “I’m just going to tell you that I really love the songs they write and I’m going give you a peek at what they’ve been working on,” adds Ponniah. ‘Delete’ is the first taste of DMA’s (listen here) who release their eponymous debut EP on Friday 28th March.
The Trouble With Templeton Land International Deal With Bella Union
Cinematic Brisbane indie ensemble The Trouble With Templeton having signed a deal with UK label Bella Union for the worldwide release of their 2013 debut album Rookie. The Trouble With Templeton join a roster famous for cultivating such acts as Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Midlake, The Flaming Lips, Father John Misty and The Dirty Three after founder Simon Raymonde first heard breakout TTWT song ‘Six Months In A Cast’. “[Frontman] Tom Calder is a huge talent, with something many bands lack these days, a genuine charm mixed with a natural charisma,” said Raymonde. Bella Union will issue a double-A side single Soldiers/Glue as the band head over for a UK and European tour in May to support the international release of Rookie. The Bella Union deal coincides with the band signing with Dave Chumbley at the UK’s Primary Talent Agency (Lana Del Ray, Ben Folds Five, Rufus Wainwright). The Trouble With Templeton play various live shows across Australian through March and April (view dates here).
