Music Deals -- Week 12 - 2021

Universal Music Group-owned Abbey Road Studios, through its innovation arm, Abbey Road Red, has acquired the start-up Audiomovers, which allows music professionals to stream, listen to and record high-resolution multichannel remote audio in real time, with multiple collaborators, anywhere in the world. Audiomovers was founded in 2017 by Igor Maxymenko and Yuriy Shevyrov, who will continue to lead the company, which will be supported by Abbey Road Studios’ resources and expertise. “In the past year we’ve seen 100% of studio sessions requiring some level of remote access and the name Audiomovers being repeatedly mentioned," said Abbey Road’s MD Isabel Garvey. We believe the shift to remote music production is here to stay and we want to be part of this new world, supporting music making in all its forms, no matter where creators might be located. It’s a natural extension for Abbey Road, enabling creativity beyond the physical building.” 

Hipgnosis Songs Fund has acquired the catalogue of American songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, whose works include 'A Groovy Kind Of Love', 'When I Need You', 'Nobody Does It Better', 'That’s What Friends Are For', among others. She has collaborated with such artists as Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, to name but a few. “This is one of the most important deals we have ever made," said Merck Mercuriadis, Founder of The Family and Hipgnosis Songs Fund, whose company recently acquired Neil Young's catalogue. “With Merck and his Hipgnosis family I feel my songs are going to be nurtured and cared for. I look forward to yet another wonderful collaboration,” said Bayer Sager.

Independent music company Because Music has entered an exclusive partnership with Belgium artists Soulwax/2ManyDJs (aka David and Stephen Dewaele) to provide them with the infrastructure to develop their label Deewee. Because, which has offices in Paris and London, will provide marketing and promotional services for their artists’ roster and their own recordings. Because will digitally distribute Deewee directly to DSPs via deals negotiated by indies' agency Merlin, while global physical distribution will go through Universal Music Group's Virgin Music Label & Artist Services. “What David and Stephen have created with the label extends beyond any other model – they have built (literally and figuratively) an original and highly creative space, one that prioritises artistry and provides a unique, familial home for artists in which to experiment and develop under their guiding hand providing great production and experience," said Because Music founder & CEO Emmanuel de Buretel.

US songwriter and performer Linda Ronstadt has sold her recorded music assets to Irving Azoff’s new venture, Iconic Artists Group, for an undisclosed amount. Iconic will partner with Ronstadt and her manager John Boylan and personal assistant Janet Stark "to market her catalogue and preserve her legacy in the digital era." Iconic’s recently purchased the publishing and recorded music rights from David Crosby and partnered with the Beach Boys to purchase a controlling stake in their catalogue.


Johannesburg-based independent music publisher Sheer Music Publishing has signed an agreement to represent R&B and bright Afro-pop Nigerian artist Iyanya globally. “With this partnership, I aim to streamline the complexities the music industry is known for, harness my creativity and administer the collection of my royalties effectively. This is an exciting prospect for me as I journey in my music career to the next level,” says Iyanya. Sheer Music is a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York-based Downtown Holdings.


British management company Everybody’s Management has set up an independent record label, Everybody’s Music, which will focus on new talent. The London-based company represents artists such as Keane, Jack Garratt, Sarah Kinsley and Gretta Ray. Everybody’s Music will be working in partnership with AWAL/Kobalt on this venture. The first releases on the label will be the single 'Karma' by Kinsley, as well as EPs by US artist Jayla Kai and British act George Eve. 

British management company and record label Atlas Artists and Warner Music Group’s Parlophone Records have set up a joint venture. According to the terms of the deal, Atlas Artists will be in charge of the project's A&R, while Parlophone will handle marketing and distribution. The roster of the new venture includes KAM-BU, New Familiar and Rachel Chinouriri.