ARIA Award-winning producer and engineer Scott Horscroft will succeed Craig Hawker as VP A&R at EMI Music Australasia, the music company said today (Oct. 12).
Sydney-based Horscroft produced the Presets’ multi-platinum hit album “Apocalypso” (Modular), which in 2008 won the ARIA Award for album of the year, the first time a dance record had achieved the feat.
This year, two sets Horscroft’s produced have debuted in the top five of the ARIA Albums chart and he’s in the running for the producer of the year honor at the ARIA Awards for his work on one of those, Birds of Tokyo’s self-titled hit for EMI.
“Birds of Tokyo” debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA albums chart in August, has been certified gold (35,000 units) and is in the running for six ARIA Awards and the prestigious J Award for Australian album of the year. Horscroft also produced Little Red’s latest album “Midnight Remember” (Liberation) which debuted at No. 5 in September.
In a career spanning more than a decade, Horscroft has also worked with such Australian artists as Silverchair, the Temper Trap, the Sleepy Jackson, the Panics and the Scare.
“Scott’s exceptional understanding of a great song and great talent together with a clearly successful business acumen and ability to balance artistic, commercial and consumer interests are rare to find,” comments EMI Australia chairman Mark Poston in a statement. “This combination together with his award-winning producer and engineer skills in making great records make Scott an ideal leader for the continuing evolution of EMI as a leader in credible and successful local talent.”
Horscroft is part owner of Australian music production firm BJB studios, where he’s responsible for business development, management and creative direction. He’s also owner of music production and management firm Archangelsky Music.
Earlier this year, the well-respected Hawker decided to move on from EMI after more than 10 years, to “take a long break, re-charge the batteries, and ultimately look for different challenges.” Hawker will stay on for a time to help in the handover process.
