New Spunk signing: Mac Demarco

Spunk is thrilled to announce the Australian release of Mac DeMarco’s acclaimed record 2, as well as the re-release of 2012’s Rock and Roll Night Club.

Last year’s Rock and Roll Night Club introduced Mac DeMarco as an intriguing artist; a slacker kid from Montreal with a fondness for cross-dressing. From the sincere and warm ‘Only You’, to the sleazoid jam ‘Baby’s Wearing Blue Jeans’, Mac explores his musical persona and evidently has too much fun in the process.

Mac DeMarco follows up mere months later with 2. Where Rock and Roll Night Club was an exploration of sorts, 2 is a cohesive work that showcases Mac’s natural ability as a songwriter, singer and producer. The record hints at influences such as Jonathan Richman, Arthur Russell and David Bowie; and comparisons might be made to fellow slacker rockers Real Estate, Ty Segall and Ariel Pink. Yet ultimately, 2 is a self-assured and unique album. Internationally, the record was met with stellar reviews from Pitchfork, NME, The Line of Best Fit, Consequence of Sound and many more. As an Australian exclusive, Spunk’s release of 2 includes previously unreleased bonus tracks (to be announced shortly).

The accolades placed on Mac DeMarco records are matched only by the praise for his live performances. One of the most talked-about acts at this year’s SXSW and Great Escape Festival, DeMarco is known for his rumbustious sets; oozing in goofy sexuality, getting up to tricks a la Les Savy Fav, and paying homage to Jonathan Richman’s seminal Modern Lovers. This energy is perfectly captured in Pitchfork’s recent feature on the band’s Primavera appearance.

The Falls Pen USA Management Deal & Booking Deal

On the back of their recent showcases at SXSW in Austin TX, Sydney indie duo The Falls are pleased to announce some exciting new developments here and in the US. The band are being represented in the US by manager Evan Winiker at The Creed Co (Bruno Mars), and are being booked in North America by Jefferey Azoff and Lee Goforth at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The Falls are also the latest signing to Artist Voice here in Australia joining a roster that includes Matt Corby, Chet Faker, and Angus & Julia Stone.

Jefferey Azoff and Lee Goforth are two of CAA’s rising stars, representing The Eagles, Journey, and Brittany Spears among others. Formed in 2009 by Brandon Creed, The Creed Co looks over the careers of Bruno Mars (Atlantic), Hunter Hunted, The Smeezingtons and now The Falls.

“We’re very excited to bring The Falls into our family” said Winiker. “The energy and passion they have on stage is palpable, I knew from the moment I first saw them in Austin that I had to be a part of the team”.

Since the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP ‘HOLLYWOOD’ in August 2012, this fiercely independent band have had a whirlwind 9 months which has included national tours with Of Monsters and Men and Passenger, and most recently The Lumineers.

“We are very excited about these new relationships and are looking forward to working with such a great team” said The Falls vocalist Melinda Kirwin. “ While we are extremely proud of having been completely independent for this first part of our career, I think a big part of being a successful independent artist is knowing when it is time to start building that team around you so that you can focus on what’s really important, being an artist.”

And that’s exactly what The Falls are doing now, shifting their focus back to writing songs, as they prepare to head back into the studio to make their next record.

Dayna Young from Archery Club Joins Select Music

Select Music are extremely proud to announce that Dayna Young will be joining the company as a Senior Agent bringing with her an established roster of talent including ShockOne, The Aston Shuffle, Miami Horror, Dcup and Sampology.

Dayna has most recently overseen the roster at Archery Club. Prior to this she was at Jam Music managing the Jam Agency Roster in addition to being closely involved in the international and local programming of the Good Vibrations Festival. She has also worked for Ministry of Sound’s UK based, International Touring Division, where she was responsible for staging MoS branded events worldwide. Young currently books around 25 acts.

Select Music directors Stephen Wade & Rob G say; “Dayna is a perfect fit for what we are building here at Select Music. She is well respected by both her artists and the industry, and has an amazing ability to pick artists and help grow their careers in the live arena, which is what we are all about. We are looking forward to having her as part of our team!”

Dayna Young says; “Whilst I’m exceptionally proud of my work with our Artists these last 4 years at Archery Club, I’m excited to start the next phase. As an agent I remain committed to delivering to my artists the loyalty, time, attention and support they deserve – qualities they continually show me in return. As a Senior Agent at Select Music I’ll be continuing to sign & develop acts that share those qualities. I’m excited to be welcomed to the Select Music team – Stephen and Rob are exceptional agents and good people. It feels like home already.”

Select Music is a domestic Booking Agency representing the live touring of some of the biggest live acts in the country including Boy & Bear, Passenger, Ball Park Music, Josh Pyke, Bluejuice, Seth Sentry, Emma Louise & San Cisco.

Splendour’s Grass Is Greener

Welcoming in a new year, with a new site, Splendour In The Grass is proud to unveil exciting new environmental initiatives! Splendour has often lead the way in the Australian music festival scene in adopting a strong emphasis on environmental awareness. Splendour is known for successfully undertaking innovative large-scale environmental procedures and green initiatives – and this year is no exception.

Proof positive of our great track record came last year when Splendour in the Grass was awarded the coveted Highly Commended Award from the international Greener Festival Awards guild.

Ben Challis, co-founder of A Greener Festival, said “This award embodies the spirit of sustainability that festivals all over the world aspire to achieve. However it is Splendour In The Grass that has gone above and beyond the commercial aspects of greening to produce a remarkable event with a true ecological awareness.”

This year the festival will set its sights higher, aiming to receive the Outstanding Award for 2013.

Some of the brand spanking new initiatives Splendour have planned for 2013 include food waste capture, tree planting, traffic and carbon reduction. In a festival first, Splendour will be collecting survey data from festival-goers that will provide insight into the Carbon Offset Program.