Black Night Crash Records Launches, Announces 1st Signing
Long-running Melbourne indie rock night, Black Night Crash, is moving into the record label business and has announced it’s first signing, Japanese “post-punk, wizard-rock” outfit, Bo Ningen. Established at Fitzroy’s the Rochester Castle, Black Night Crash is the brainchild of Jonny O’Hara and Jordan Barczak – who have worked together for six years and are also the managers of the new label. Bo Ningen are the inaugural Black Night Crash Records signing. Now based in London, and signed in the UK to Stolen Recordings, O’Hara is ecstatic about signing the Japanese quartet. “I saw Bo Ningen at Fuji Rock and they completely blew me away… I can’t wait to catch them again when they hit Australia in January as part of the upcoming Big Day Out tour.” Bo Ningen’s new album Line The Wall will be released on Black Night Crash Records on 17th January, 2014 with the band’s self-titled debut album included in its entirety as a bonus disc, as well as an exclusive Australian CD bonus track, ‘Nichijyou’, featuring Savages lead singer Jehnny Beth. (via Black Night Crash)
Kingswood Sign With Dew Process For Debut Album
Melbourne rock quartet Kingswood have signed with label Dew Process for the release of their forthcoming debut album. The news arrives as Kingswood release new single ‘Sucker Punch’, the first taste of their first LP, recorded in Nashville’s Blackbird Studios with producer Vance Powell (Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon). The band join the likes of Bernard Fanning, Jebediah, and Sarah Blasko on the Dew Process roster. Kingswood’s news arrives as the band are set for a number of festival appearances – including Big Day Out 2014 and the sold out Festival of The Sun – as well as embarking on a co-headline tour with Calling All Cars. Dates and details here. (via Dew Process)
Future Classic Announce International Touring Partnership
Future Classic, the AIR award-winning Sydney record label and management company that’s home to Fume, Jagwar Ma, Flight Facilities, and more, has revealed a new deal with Brown Bear Entertainment to merge the two music company’s touring arms. The new alliance sees Future Classic becoming a shareholder in Brown Bear Entertainment, with the new combined entity handling international tour interests with its first 2014 tours to be announced soon. Future Classic has toured international artists including Little Dragon, The Whitest Boy Alive, and the forthcoming Mount Kimbie Laneway 2014 sideshows, as well as club acts and shows and stages at festivals such as Laneway, Perth and Sydney Festivals, and Vivid LIVE. Brown Bear Entertainment, formed in April this year, has promoted tours for Baauer, TNGHT, and Yuksek. “While the primary motivation for us has always been a passion for putting on shows, international touring is also a core part of our business,” says Future Classic founder Nathan McLay of the touring alliance: We’re excited to strengthen the service we provide our partners through the collective experience-base this alliance creates.”
Spotify Valued At US$4 Billion After Financing Deal
Popular Swedish-born music streaming service Spotify today revealing its list of the most streamed artists of 2013, which follows on from the digital subscription platform completing a $US250 million financing round that values the company at more than $US4 billion. According to industry insiders, the investment comes from Technology Crossover Ventures, a firm that has previously invested in Netflix, Facebook and Groupon. Spotify’s last financing rounds – this time last year – raised $US100 million from the likes of Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs and others – valuing the services at $US3 billion. Since then Spotify has continued its international expansion, but has yet to update its Spring figures of 24 million users worldwide, 6 million of whom pay for a monthly subscription. Despite its global foothold, the service is facing stiff competition from emerging music streaming services – such as iTunes Radio, and could be set to be overtaken by Deezer in 2014. (via Australian Financial Review)
Select Music Expands To New Zealand, Signs New Act
NSW-based booking agency Select Music has announced an international expansion into New Zealand, opening a new office at Rhythmmethod HQ, alongside Rhythmethod Distribution (Passenger/Tiki), Ode Records, DRM, 45 RPM and Mystery Girl touring & publicity. The expansion follows Select Music’s involvement with two Sold Out December shows from Passenger in Auckland and Wellington, with may more Select artists headed to NZ in 2014. The announcement has been followed by the booking agency expanding its roster with Adelaide 17-year-old singer-songwriter Jesse Davidson as he works toward releasing his debut EP, Ocean. The Triple J Unearthed finalist hits the road with Mac DeMarco this month, and joins the books of such Select artists as Boy & Bear, The Preatures, RUFUS, and Andy Bull.
