Publishing Briefs: Music Sales Makes Wise Name Change, Primary Wave Acquires Noel Hogan Catalog
A list of the latest moves in publishing, including Primary Wave acquiring a majority stake in the catalog of Cranberries co-songwriter Noel Hogan and a new creative partnership between Concord Music…
Independent publisher Music Sales Group — which has rebranded itself Wise Music Group after its chairman Robert Wise — has signed global publishing deals with Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando and composer Ólafur Arnalds, the company announced Thursday (Jan. 30).
The deal Dando signed with Wise Music Group USA includes the singer-songwriter’s entire catalog, including his solo output and work with the Lemonheads. Song highlights include “It’s a Shame About Ray,” “My Drug Buddy,” “Confetti,” “Rudderless,” and “Big Gay Heart.”
“I’m super excited that for the first time in my career, all of my publishing will be with one company under the same roof,” said Dando in a statement. “I’m looking forward to a successful partnership with Wise Music.”
Arnalds’ deal, signed with Wise Music Group subsidiary Bosworth Music GmbH, includes “Flow 1” and “Flow 2” from his Reeperbahn Festival installation Ekki Hugsa 360° and all upcoming works.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Bosworth / Wise Music family’s close-knit community,” said Arnalds. “Their long history combined with their embracing of change within the music industry made me confident that they were the right team for me and my variety of projects.”
Primary Wave has acquired a majority stake in the music publishing catalog of Cranberries co-songwriter and lead guitarist Noel Hogan, the company announced Tuesday (Jan. 21). The worldwide deal includes all songs written by Hogan, including such Cranberries hits as “Linger,” “Salvation,” “Dreams” and “Ode to My Family” as well as tracks off the band’s most recent studio album In the End, which was released following the death of the group’s lead singer Dolores O’Riordan.
“I’m delighted to join the Primary Wave family of writers,” said Hogan in a statement. “It’s a great honour to be in such legendary company. I look forward to many great years together.”
Added Primary Wave president of publishing Justin Shukat, “The songs that Noel Hogan co-wrote with the legendary vocalist/songwriter Dolores O’Riordan time-stamped a moment in music history and the songs, to this day, continue to gain new fans with every listen.”
On Tuesday (Jan. 21) Concord Music Publishing announced a new creative partnership with music executive Ron André Elvis Telford’s artist management and publishing business Creative Titans, with Colombian songwriter and producer Sebastian “Bassto” Zapata the first signing under the new venture. The worldwide deal includes admin on Creative Titans’ full catalog and a co-publishing deal on future releases.
Zapata has contributed to a number of recent U.S. and U.K. hits include Jorja Smith‘s “Be Honest” and Koffee’s “W” ft. Gunna, both of which fall under the new partnership.
The new agreement will see Telford working with Concord’s A&R team, led by executive vp worldwide A&R Kim Frankiewicz.
“I’ve admired Kim’s spectacular approach to publishing and consider her one of the truest publishers in the industry,” said Creative Titans co-founder Telford in a statement. “The first day of interacting with the team at Concord in both the U.K. and U.S., I knew we would be able to mesh a fruitful business relationship — I felt at home.”
The catalog of British songwriter and producer Brian Higgins has been acquired by Hipgnosis Songs, it was announced Friday (Jan. 24). The global deal includes Higgins’ full catalog comprising 362 songs, including Cher’s blockbuster 1998 single “Believe” (which he co-wrote) and Girls Aloud hits “Sound Of The Underground,” “I’ll Stand By You” and “The Promise.” He has additionally written or produced for artists including Kylie Minogue, The Sugababes, Pet Shop Boys, The Saturdays, Bananarama and Saint Etienne.
Through the deal, Hipgnosis has acquired 100 percent of Higgins’ worldwide copyright, ownership and financial interest in his catalog, including the writer share. Xenomania is the name of Higgins’ U.K.-based songwriting and production team.
“I started Xenomania in 1996 and to see it in 2020 as a standalone independent record label and publishing company is something that gives me deep pride and great joy,” said Higgins in a statement. “I’m very grateful to Merck and Hipgnosis for the opportunity they have presented me to guarantee the label’s presence in the worldwide music landscape for decades to come.”
Songwriter Rob Snyder has signed a worldwide publishing deal with 50 Egg Music, the venture co-owned by Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton and Tali Canterbury. Announced Tuesday (Jan. 21), the go-forward deal will kick off with the Snyder-penned track “Dear Today” from Combs’ latest album What You See Is What You Get.
“I am so incredibly grateful to have landed at 50 Egg Music,” said Snyder in a statement. “The culture here is a breath of fresh air and the work ethic truly stands out on Music Row. 50 Egg feels like home and that is what is most important to me. Not everyone gets to say they love where they work… I’m just glad I do.”
In her own statement, 50 Egg Music president Tali Canterbury added that Snyder “is the epitome of a team player and is always excited about what is new and upcoming. We are beyond excited to see how his success unfolds in the coming years.”
Big Yellow Dog Music has signed a worldwide publishing deal for Nashville singer-songwriter Eloise Alterman?’s future releases, the company announced Wednesday (Jan. 22).
“The first few years in Nashville, I kept to myself and wrote everyday,” said Alterman in a statement. “I have made some amazing friends in this town, fallen in-and-out of love, learned to be alone, and I have gotten to know and understand myself. I never want to stop creating and exploring the emotions we as humans feel everyday.”
Warner Chappell has signed a global publishing deal with singer-songwriter Zack Dyer, the company announced Friday (Jan. 24).
“Zack is an incredible writer and singer whose talent shines through in his lyrics. He’s one to watch and I know everyone will be hearing his hits soon,” said Warner Chappell vp of A&R BJ Hill in a statement.
A native of Minnesota, Dyer moved to Nashville in 2015 and released his first EP, which includes the songs “Wishful Drinking” and “All American,” in 2017.