Music Deals -- Week 27 2021

Sony Music Publishing has signed a worldwide administration deal with Australian music company Alberts, which includes the complete song catalogues of band AC/DC ('Highway to Hell', 'Back in Black') and of songwriting and producing team Vanda, Young and Wright ('Friday on my Mind, 'Love is in the Air' and 'Standing in the Rain'). Sony Music said the "historic deal brings the band’s publishing and recording rights together under the Sony banner for the first time," as Sony Music's label Columbia distributes the AC/DC's recordings." David Albert, CEO of Alberts, said, “We have built over a number of years a very close working relationship with [Sony Music Group Chairman] Rob Stringer and the team at Columbia and were impressed with [SMP Managing Director, Australia] Damian Trotter and [SMP Chairman and CEO] Jon Platt’s vision for the catalogues and the alignment with our approach to business.” 

Barcelona-based rights organisation Unison has signed a representation agreement for digital collections in Europe with Brazilian company Smart Rights, which covers some 40,000 songs. Smart Rights is a music rights technology company in Brazil specialised in managing, collecting and distributing royalties founded in 2018. "We are fully aligned with Smart Rights in our mission to improve the collection and distribution of royalties to our clients, with a modern, transparent and efficient approach to rights management through technology." said Unison CEO Jordi Puy (pictured, below).

Digital music solutions 7digital has signed a series of agreements with fitness companies including Barry’s and Barcelona’s Volava, which add to London’s Apex Rides and Los Angeles-based FORME, as users of 7digital music supply services. Barry’s operates 77 fitness studios across 14 countries and over 30 cities worldwide will be using 7digital’s instructor playlisting tool to access a fully cleared catalogue of music, with over 80 million tracks. Barry’s will also leverage 7digital’s built-in integration with MRI for publisher clearances and rights management solution. Volava will access a cleared catalogue from major labels via the playlisting tool for their businesses in Spain and Germany. “7digital’s global catalogue and turnkey territory expansion options allow us to customize our experiences across new locations and European markets as we grow," said Volava’s CEO and Founder, Joel Balagué. 

Primary Wave Music has acquired a 50% stake in US performer and songwriter Chris Isaak’s master recordings, including 'Blue Hotel', 'San Francisco Days', 'Somebody’s Crying' and 'Wicked Game'. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Isaak said he had a passion for singles released by the legendary label Sun Records, which is part of the Primary Wave portfolio. “The label was, and still is, home to the voices of my heroes and icons. To now be officially part of the label and have the Sun logo on my music is humbling and gratifying in ways I cannot quite convey," explained Isaak. Added Larry Mestel, CEO & founder of Primary Wave Music: “Chris is a true iconic talent, and I was drawn to his almost encyclopedic knowledge of the Sun catalogue and its rich history. We look forward to working with Chris and his amazing manager Sheryl Louis.”

Softly launched during the pandemic, Los Angeles-based 3V Method has started operating as a fully functional music management, publishing and recorded music company. The company was co-founded by a collective of music managers, with Alex Valenti (CEO), Matt Steger (COO), Justin Garza (GM),Josh Deane (VP of A&R), Travis Alexander (VP of Strategic Partnerships) and Mark Mendoza (VP of Creative). 3V Method’s record company has entered into a partnership with Virgin Music Label and Artist Services, where they signed their first act 19&YOU, and their publishing company has partnered with Sentric Music, to which they have signed writer/producer duo VOILÀ. "We’re building an incubator for the future of the entertainment business on a foundation of flexibility, trust, and integrity in the belief that values do scale," said Steger.

Music and media platform WorldStarHipHop launched Worldstar Distro, described as "a complete music distribution service for independent artists," allowing independent artists to distribute music to all of the major DSPs for $1.99 per month. WorldStar Distro is powered by Hollywood-based Create Music Group, which operates media network Label Engine, which has over 25,000 artists and 5,000 label clients, and digital entertainment and marketing agency Flighthouse. “We see thousands of promising new unsigned artists come through our platforms every year,” said WorldStar executive Will Hoopes. “Being able to offer them additional support via WorldStar Distro is something that we’ve wanted to do for a very long time. Our partnership with Create Music Group, a company that is unparalleled in its work launching viral artists, ensures that WorldStar Distro artists will be backed by the latest distribution technology available anywhere.”

Candela Records, a newly-established British-based Latin record label, co-founded by Luciano Santana Pinto and Jose Luis Seijas⁠, has signed a deal with Warner Music Group's label Atlantic Records UK and services and distribution companyAlternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), to assist Candela in signing and developing new artists and provide global distribution services. "This partnership will help us grow the UK Latin culture not only among the British public but the world – it’s perfect," said Pinto.

A print and digital British version of US music and culture magazine Rolling Stone will launch this autumn, following a licensing agreement between the brand owner Penske Media Corporation and Stream Publishing, the company behind the magazine Attitude. “The arrival of Rolling Stone in the UK is not only a hugely exciting development for our brilliant team, but also fantastic news for the UK music and entertainment industries which deserve the showcase and platform that this iconic brand will deliver," said Darren Styles, Managing Director of Stream Publishing.

Warner Chappell Music has signed a global publishing deal with British rap performer and songwriter Wretch32, covering his back catalogue as well as future works. Shani Gonzales, Managing Director, Warner Chappell Music UK & Head of International A&R, Warner Chappell Music, said Wretch 32 had an "incredible catalogue which we’re honoured to be looking after and the new music he’s working on is sounding amazing." 

The estate of jazz vocalist Cab Callowayhas signed a new global publishing administration deal with WarnerChappell Music. “We’re thrilled that Warner Chappell has been chosen to represent this extraordinary body of work, and we’re looking forward to bringing his groundbreaking music to a whole new generation of fans," said Warner Chappell CEO Guy Moot and COO Carianne Marshall in a joint statement.

Tribl Records has signed a distribution agreement with Sony Music Entertainment-owned distribution company for the independent sector The Orchard. Founded in 2021, Tribl Records roster includes Maverick City Music, J.J. Hairston, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, and Faith City, among others.