ARIA Winners Gain Sales Boost
Following the 27th Annual ARIA Awards earlier this month, a number of acts that scooped gongs on the night have benefited from the attention and accolades in the sales charts, including Flume, Tame Impala, Vance Joy, and Lorde. Harley Streten, aka ARIA-scooping producer Flume, saw sales of his eponymous debut album rise from #20 to #11 on the ARIA Albums Chart, which is reaching its 50th consecutive week on the chart). Meanwhile, fellow multiple ARIA winners, Lonerism hit-makers Tame Impala, saw their second album return to the charts at #46 (following its previous peak of #4).
Both artists also performed live at the ARIAs ceremony, along with New Zealand sensation Lorde – in her first-ever Australian TV performance – with her single ‘Team’, which rose ten rungs to #39 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Likewise Vance Joy’s live performance of ‘Riptide’, which rose from #38 to #23 following the TV simulcast on GO!, Nine’s digital channel. The ARIA broadcast reached viewing figures of 337,000 for the ceremony – up from 304,000 from last year – while the Black Carpet screening saw 248,000 viewers tuning in. While up from 2012, the figures have dropped significantly from the millions of viewers the ARIAs used to garner as recently as 2008. (via Billboard)
Spotify Launching Free Mobile Music Service
Following on from launching Spotify Artists and revealing just exactly how their royalty payment schemes work, the popular music streaming service has revealed plans to introduce free music to mobile users through its app. Currently, subscribers must pay for the privilege of streaming music on their smartphone, but the Swedish-bred company is looking at launching a free, ad-supported model (similar to its desktop version) for mobile users that’s modeled on the likes of Pandora and iTunes Radio, likely to counteract the growing competition from those same internet radio services. Spotify, which currently has approximately 6 million paid subscribers and 20 million free users, has been in negotiations with the ‘Big Three’ major labels (Sony, Warner, Universal) for over a year over their license and royalty schemes. (via Wall Street Journal)
Online Music Platform Farugi Launches
Perth-based online music start-up Farugi has now officially launched (at www.farugi.com). The online music distribution platform aims to “revolutionise the way bands and fans connect,” allowing consumers to stream, download, and purchase music and merchandise online. “I was inspired to create Farugi through my experiences working with artists in my recording studio,” says Farugi CEO Anthony Manning-Franklin. “[And} many of them would talk about the difficulty they encountered when trying to reach their audience. Now they have a space where they can easily reach fans by selling music and merchandise directly to them.” Since emerging on 28th November, Farugi has attracted Perth bands such as The Floors and Sidewalk Diamonds.
Fractures Signs With Village Sounds
Rising Melbourne star Fractures (aka multi-insrumentalist Mark Zito) has signed with Village Sounds for domestic bookings. The ‘Twisted’ and ‘Cadence’ hit-maker joins a roster that includes Big Scary, Vance Joy, Courtney Barnett, Violent Soho, and Birds Of Tokyo. “We are thrilled to be representing Fractures’ live touring,” says Village Sounds’ Andy Gumley. “Mark is one of the most exciting new artists we have come across this year and there is no doubt he has a big future ahead of him.” The deal follows close on the heels of Fractures announcing headline shows in 2014, including his first-ever Sydney gig.
Stereosonic’s Onelove Appoints New Executive, Expands Into New Divisions
Following the completion of Stereosonic 2013, the dance music company behind the music festival – Onelove – has announced preparations for an expansion in 2014. Onelove CEO Frank Cotela has appointed Bev Maclom as Marketing Director as well as establishing Artist Development and Music Publishing Divisions for early next year. With 20 years experience across four continents, Malcolm will head up the Marketing & Promotions devision from Onelove’s Sydney office, working alongside Onelove’s A&R and International licensing team headed up by Matt Nugent and A&R Ant Celestino. Malcolm will also continue to head up Sydney’s Stereosonic team for SFX Totem Onelove – the newly-minted US parent company.
