The Deals: Bobby Darin Estate Gets Representation, Armaan Malik Teams With Warner Music India
Also: European physical distributors Proper Music Group and Bertus sign pact to streamline operations, Jason Aldean co-writer signs to Night Train Records.
Amy Abrams and Brian Schwartz at Denver-based 7S Management signed on to represent the estate of late singer/actor Bobby Darin. The agreement was reached with Dodd Darin, the elder Darin’s son with Sandra Dee.
Of Abrams and Schwartz, Dodd Darin said, “They understand quite well the workings of the current day music industry and I think this will result in my Dad’s music and image finding its way to younger audiences around the world. There are some interesting things already in the works and I very much look forward to what’s just around the corner.”
Abrams added, “Bobby Darin was a pioneer in early rock and roll who wrote his own songs when many artists didn’t, had the smarts to have ownership in his own publishing and master recordings, and tried his hand at all musical styles that interested him, evading the ‘crooner’ label that stuck with his early contemporaries.”
In addition to several contemporary artists, 7S Management also represents the estates of John Denver and Etta James.
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Darin’s hits include “Mack the Knife,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Splish Splash,” “Queen of the Hop” and “Dream Lover.” At the 1960 Grammys, the singer took home awards for Record of the Year (“Mack the Knife”) and Best New Artist. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Grammys.
Darin starred in a string of films including Come September, Pressure Point and Captain Newman M.D., the latter of which netted him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 1964 Oscars. Beyond the Sea, a film about his life starring Kevin Spacey, was released in 2004.
On Monday, Universal Music released the digital compilation Bobby Darin’s Love Songs, featuring recordings from the singer’s years with Capitol Records and Motown Records in the early 1960s. One of his songs, “Call Me Irresponsible,” was recently featured on the HBO series Euphoria.
Darin died on December 20, 1973 following an exploratory open-heart surgery. He was 37 years old.
Indian pop star Armaan Malik reached a strategic partnership with Warner Music India to launch his new record label, Always Music Global.
Under the deal, Malik and Warner Music India will focus on releasing and marketing Hindi pop music across the globe. Always Music Global will release Malik’s Hindi non-film music and work on building IPs in tandem with Warner India.
“I’m humbled and honoured to embark on a new chapter of my career with this unique collaboration between my label Always Music Global and Warner Music India,” said Malik in a statement. “Showcasing Indian pop music at a global level has been a long-running dream of mine, and I can’t wait to work towards fulfilling it.”
Warner Music Group president, emerging markets Alfonso Perez-Soto called Malik “a landmark signing for Warner Music India, adding, “His songs already touch fans around the world and we’re excited to help build an even larger global audience for his incredible music.”
Jay Mehta, managing director at Warner Music India-SAARC, added, “With this collaboration, we are committed to achieving our vision of bringing the Indian sound to a global audience.”
Utopia’s Proper Music Group and Bertus, two of Europe’s leading physical distributors, signed a new sales and distribution deal to simplify processes across Europe, which has just two warehouses (in the U.K. and the Netherlands) that handle shipping for the entire continent.
Under the deal, Proper Music and Bertus hope to develop “a more coordinated system with less product moved and fewer returns,” which they hope will “help to deliver lower emissions” and result in less paperwork, according to a press release. Labels will receive one monthly sales statement covering their European sales as opposed to separate statements for each territory.
The first label to utilize the streamlined service is Nettwerk, which released Wild Rivers’ new album Sidelines on Feb. 4, 2022.
“Proper Music Group has always been committed to innovating and streamlining its practices wherever possible and this new deal with Bertus marks another important step in that process,” said Proper Music Group senior label manager Vangel Vlaski in a statement. “We’re delighted to be leading the way alongside Bertus and look forward to welcoming other labels.”
Bertus CEO Jan van Ditmarsch added, “We’re excited to join forces with our UK partners and build a set-up that’s best described as a Pan-European One Stop Shop. Combining both companies’ best practices and services we can offer Nettwerk a well-run operation that’s both cost-efficient and risk-reducing on many levels! We’re confident many other labels will join.”
BBR Music Group/BMG signed singer-songwriter John Morgan to Night Train Records, Jason Aldean’s imprint with BBR Music Group. Morgan is a co-writer on Aldean’s recent collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “If I Didn’t Love You,” which is nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the upcoming ceremony.
After moving to Nashville, Morgan connected with songwriters and Aldean bandmembers Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy, which eventually led to Morgan contributing to eight songs on Aldean’s new double album, Macon, Georgia, including the current single “Trouble with a Heartbreak.”
Morgan, a North Carolina native, has been opening shows for Aldean on his Back in the Saddle Tour and working in the studio with Aldean, Allison and Kennedy. Morgan is signed with Triple Play Music for publishing, Maverick for management and The Neal Agency for booking.
“The first time I heard about John Morgan was a 2 a.m. phone call with Aldean that lasted over 30 minutes as he told me why he wanted to sign him. He was so excited; he didn’t want to wait until the next day to talk about offering him a deal,” Jon Loba, president, BMG Nashville, said in a statement. “When we started working with John, it was easy to see why Jason picked up the phone and woke me up in the middle of the night…and I’m so glad he did!”
“Three years ago, I never would have imagined that I would be signed to one of the best labels here in Nashville,” Morgan added. “I’m excited to get started on this journey and grateful for the team I have working with me.” – Jessica Nicholson
U.K. rap tastemaker Tiffany Calver launched a new record label, No Requests, in partnership with Polydor Records.
With the new label, Calver aims to champion new U.K. rap talent and serve as a conduit for artists to connect with a global audience. At launch, the roster includes emerging artists Bandokay and M’Way.
Bandokay, who hails from Tottenham, has put out streaming hits including “Ambush,” “Once In A While” feat. Headie One, “War” and “Slide.” His latest single, “Praise the Lord,” was released earlier this month.
Nottingham rapper M’Way, who was named one of Complex’s 24 Rappers to Watch for 2022, has released tracks including “Whole Lotta Guap” and “Take Orders.”
No Requests is described as an extension of Calver’s work “collaborating on career defining moments“ with U.K. artists such as AJ Tracey, Fredo and Tion Wayne, according to a press release.
“I’m focused on working with new and exciting talent who all bring something different to the table,” said Calver in a statement. “I don’t want to sign records for algorithms. I’m not necessarily interested in what already ‘works’ or is trending. I want to champion musicians who want to make music that’s true to themselves. That sounds different to what else is out there. And I want to help to provide an environment for creating long-lasting careers in the process.”
Polydor co-president Ben Mortimer added, “In recent years, Tiffany has established herself as one of the UK’s most important tastemakers. She already has a great track record in identifying exciting talent, and a unique approach in how to support them.”
Emerging artists GALE and Mariangela joined Sony Music Latin’s roster.
GALE is a singer-songwriter and producer who most recently worked alongside Christina Aguilera and Ozuna. The Miami-based artist, who cites Shakira and Avril Lavigne’s music as her inspiration, co-wrote the pair’s chart-topping collaboration “Santo.”
“Another step, another dream come true,” GALE, who’s currently working on her first single set to be released under Sony, said in a statement. “I’m so happy and grateful to the Sony family for believing in me, my vision and joining the adventure of making my music come to life.”
Mexican singer-songwriter Mariangela is a 20-year-old up-and-coming pop act. To celebrate the signing, the Texas-based artist will soon release her first single, titled “Himalaya.”
Of the signing, Sony Music Latin president Álex Gallardo said: “Mariangela is an artist who carries herself as if she has been in the scene for years. She reminds us of what a joy it is to be in the presence of an original and multifaceted act. Latin music fans are eager to hear her refreshing new voice.”
LVRN/Interscope signed singer-songwriter Alex Vaughn, who recently released her debut single on the label, “Mirage.”
Vaughn, a native of Prince George’s County in Maryland, technically signed with the labels in October 2021. “I couldn’t think of any better place for me than LVRN/Interscope,” she said. “The passion they have for their art is unmatched. I cannot wait to grow with them.”
Before signing with LVRN/Interscope, Vaughn put out the album The Shift in 2018.
BMG Nashville/BBR Music Group artist Brooke Eden inked a management agreement with Mitchell Solarek’s Maximum Artist Group. In 2021, Eden released a trio of singles — “No Shade,” “Got No Choice” and “Sunroof” — that celebrated her relationship with her longtime partner (and now fiancée) Hilary Hoover. The video for “Sunroof” earned a nomination at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.
“Brooke’s talents are obvious to anyone who has listened to her music, or been to one of her shows,” said Solarek. “But the heart of this artist, and the light she brings into every room she enters, is not only what makes her special, it’s what makes me so proud and grateful to be a part of her life.”
Maximum Artist Group’s roster also includes Natalie Grant, Tauren Wells, Cory Asbury and producer/writer Bernie Herms. – Jessica Nicholson
Sony Music/Provident Label Group signed singer-songwriter and producer David Leonard. He recently released “Every Hour,” his debut single with his new label partner.
“‘Every Hour’ was birthed when I was leading worship at my dad’s college, where for the past 30 years he was a pastor and where I started leading when I was 15,” Leonard said in a statement. “My father was leaving to become the pastor at my home church, so during one of his last gatherings at the college, he asked me to lead worship. I was doing Matt Maher’s ‘Lord I Need You’ and out of that song a spontaneous moment happened, which is special because I’d never written a song that was birthed out of the same place that taught me how to lead worship. It was really cool to have it come out of that moment and space.”
Leonard finished crafting “Every Hour” with Josh Baldwin and Stefan Cashwell.
Leonard is known for his work with the group Jackson Waters and as part of the duo All Sons & Daughters. As a producer, he’s worked for Confio and Jaci Velasquez. His songwriting credits include “Great Are You Lord,” “Christ Be All Around,” “God Who Moves the Mountains” and more. He also released the solo album The Wait in 2019. – Jessica Nicholson
Reliant Talent Agency signed Tristan Tritt, who joins his father Travis Tritt on the company’s artist roster.
Tritt worked as a production assistant on the elder Tritt’s tour before pivoting to audio engineering training and tour management. He soon embarked on a music career, booking his own shows and running his own operation.
Tritt signed with Dan Lavery and Patra Sinner at Vista 22 Entertainment for management in January. Reliant agents Steve Lassiter and Seth Meganck already have a run of shows in the works to support Tritt’s upcoming EP release.
The first single from Tritt’s EP is “Oblivion,” which Tritt wrote. The single is slated for release in March, with a follow-up single coming in late May.