ENCORE RECORDINGS NAMES NED MONAHAN PRESIDENT
AND JACOB FAIN APPOINTED HEAD OF A&R
Encore Recordings, the indie music company founded in 2022 by Joie Manda, has announced two key executive appointments. Jacob Fain has been appointed as the company’s new Head of A&R, while Ned Monahan has been promoted to President.
Fain joins Encore from Warner Music Group‘s Elektra Records, where he served as Executive VP and Head of A&R, overseeing the label’s creative and talent development efforts. Before his tenure at Elektra, Fain spent over a decade at Sony Music Publishing, rising to Sr. Vice President of A&R, and Research & Analytics. He is credited with signing and developing Bailey Zimmerman, whose debut album has earned 2x Platinum certification in the U.S. and produced four Platinum singles. Fain’s roster also includes artists like Leon Bridges, The Chainsmokers, Of Monsters and Men, Russ, and Chase Rice. Based at Encore’s Los Angeles headquarters, Fain will report directly to Founder and CEO Joie Manda.
Meanwhile, Ned Monahan, who has served as Encore’s General Manager since the company’s launch, will step into the role of President. In his new position, Monahan will oversee all aspects of the business, working closely with departments like A&R, Marketing, Legal, and Finance. Prior to Encore, Monahan was Head of Global Hits at Spotify, a role he held from 2019.
Since the company’s founding three years ago, Encore has built an eclectic roster, including rising stars like Puerto Rican rapper Dei V, who surpassed 1.25 billion streams in 2024, and South African DJ Uncle Waffles, who is regarded as a leading figure in the amapiano genre. Uncle Waffles’ debut single, “Tanzania,” has been certified 7x Platinum in South Africa, and her hit “Yahyuppiyah” has garnered over two billion views on TikTok. In 2023, she made history as the first amapiano artist to perform at Coachella.
Encore’s roster also includes artists such as EBK Jaaybo, Khamari, and Saul Villarreal.
DEF JAM RECORDINGS NAMES TIM PITHOUSE
AS ITS NEW GENERAL MANAGER
Universal Music Group‘s Def Jam Recordings has appointed Tim Pithouse as its new General Manager.
Pithouse, most recently served as President at entertainment management firm Three Six Zero. He will oversee Def Jam’s label operations, reporting directly to Chairman & CEO Tunji Balogun, and will be based at the label’s New York headquarters. During his two years at Three Six Zero, Pithouse led the management, recordings, publishing, and film/TV divisions. His work contributed to global campaigns for artists such as Calvin Harris, WILLOW, Marcus Rashford, FKA Twigs, Skepta, Dom Dolla, and Kid Cudi.
Before his time at Three Six Zero, Pithouse held leadership roles at The Orchard, Sony Music Entertainment Australia, EMAP Australia, Next Publishing, and Granada in the United Kingdom. At The Orchard, he launched the global Artist & Label Services division, signing artists like Baby Keem, Tems, Daniel Caesar, Jack White, and Caroline Polachek, while also forging key partnerships with Human Resources, Nvak, and Terrible Records. Pithouse’s career also spans 12 years at Sony Music Entertainment in Sydney, Australia, where he rose through the ranks from Account Manager to General Manager of Marketing & Artist Development.
Tunji Balogun said, “I’ve known Tim Pithouse for almost a decade, going back to our days at Sony Music where we worked closely together to develop and break several new artists. Not only is Tim a world-class executive, he’s also the rare person in our business who understands how culture moves and always has his finger on the pulse of what’s next. His breadth of knowledge and instinctive ability to interact with artists and their teams will be integral in helping to carry out our overall vision for the label. I’m thrilled to welcome Tim to the family at Def Jam.”
In addition to his work at Def Jam, Pithouse is an advisor for Metallic Creative Agency and the Creative Futures Collective charity. His appointment follows a restructuring of Universal Music Group’s U.S.-based frontline labels, with Def Jam now joining Republic Collective alongside Island Records, Mercury Records, and Republic Records. Under the leadership of Balogun since January 2022, Def Jam continues to represent a roster of major artists, including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, LL COOL J, and Muni Long.
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS JESSE FINK
Sony Music Publishing has signed Grammy Award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Fink to a global publishing deal.
Fink co-wrote Myles Smith‘s hit “Stargazing”, which has made a 44-week run on the U.S. Hot 100, topped all three major U.S. radio formats (Top 40, Hot AC, Alternative), and reached No.1 on airplay charts across the globe, including in the U.K., Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. He also co-penned “I Like The Way You Kiss Me” by Artemas, which recently surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, soared to No.1 on the Billboard Global 200, and peaked at No.3 on the U.K. singles chart.
Beyond his successful collaborations with Artemas, Fink has worked with John Legend, Dove Cameron, and Leyla Blue. His songwriting talents earned him a Grammy Award for “Best R&B Album” in 2021 for John Legend’s Bigger Love. Both “Stargazing” and “I Like The Way You Kiss Me” were nominated for “Song of the Year” at the BRIT Awards.
Clark Adler, A&R Manager, Sony Music Publishing, tells A&R Worldwide, “Jesse is an exceptional songwriter, and his incredible passion and work ethic elevates everyone around him. We couldn’t be happier to join Jesse’s team as he continues to take his career to new heights!”
40 YEARS IN THE GLOBAL MUSIC BUSINESS —
SAT BISLA, PRESIDENT & FOUNDER,
A&R WORLDWIDE / MUSEXPO
A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO Founder Sat Bisla has been a seminal figure in the global music industry for 40 years, since the beginning of his professional career which began in 1985. His journey spans four decades and encompasses a broad spectrum of roles, including A&R, DJ, journalist, broadcaster, booker, manager, and executive advisor. His diverse experience has made him a key player behind the scenes, shaping music, media, and technology landscapes worldwide.
As a distinguished A&R executive, Sat has collaborated with and signed many acts to major record labels such as Arista Records, Atlantic Records, BMG, Capitol Records, Columbia, Concord, Epic, EMI, Interscope, Island Records, LAVA Records, RCA, Warner Records, Universal Music Group, and others, as well as indie labels, and music publishers. His keen eye for talent has been instrumental in discovering and signing numerous artists who have achieved global acclaim. His early support for artists like Coldplay, Adele, Muse, Keane, Dido, LMFAO, Sheppard, The Temper Trap, Sia, Wolfmother, Forest Blakk, Gavin James, Pictures This, Bonnie McKee, Frank Turner, and many others has been pivotal to their early success in the U.S., and/or worldwide.
Beyond individual artist deals, Sat was a driving force behind the creation of the global A&R Network, a pioneering resource for the music industry’s key players. This initiative, developed during his tenure at Clear Channel Radio and Clear Channel Entertainment (now Live Nation) when he was VP of Global A&R, helped lay the groundwork for The New Music Network, which evolved into iHeart Media, a leading global audio, and media platform.
His radio show, Passport Approved, has gained international acclaim and has been syndicated on over 80 radio stations globally, including KROQ Los Angeles, KNDD Seattle, Radio 1 (India), Flux FM (Germany), Radio Doble Nueve (Peru), and many other influential broadcasters – where he’s helped break countless artists. The program has also featured weekly contributors, and co-hosts, such as Apple‘s Zane Lowe and EA Games‘ Worldwide Executive of Music, Steve Schnur.
Sat was also an artist manager who represented Rob Dougan (composer of “Clubbed To Death” – the theme song for the legendary film Matrix), Norwegian sync superstar Kate Havenevik (a close collaborator of Imogen Heap and producer Guy Sigsworth), and in the early 2000’s was a partner in a global artist management firm with Sarah Stennett (CEO & Co-Founder, FAE grp), Cassandra Gracey (President, 4th Floor Creative/Sony Music), and British business tycoon Damian Aspinall, and has also represented other creative and executive talent.
Renowned global music industry journalist Mark Sutherland who has worked with Billboard, Music Business, Worldwide, Variety, and others, recently sat down with Sat for an interview reflecting on his four-decade journey in the global music business, and to see what’s ahead. Read the full interview HERE.
Each week, A&R Worldwide shares a snapshot of creatives and executives that we have collaborated or worked with in various music markets around the world, albeit in recent or previous times!
Sankar Thiagasamudram is the Founder & CEO of Audeze, the award-winning headphone company based in California, and one of the best-personalized listening devices on the planet. Sankar wore multiple hats (engineer, CFO, etc.) as he grew Audeze from a bootstrapped startup, raising seed capital, taking it through series A funding, and establishing a manufacturing plant.
Audeze manufactures the most advanced planar magnetic headphones worldwide, using thin-film technology originally developed for space applications.
Sankar is a thought leader in spatial audio, pioneering the integration of 3D audio technologies into headphones for gaming, virtual reality, and other immersive applications.
At Audeze, Sankar established a strategic partnership with BMW DesignWorks to streamline the design of all Audeze products.
Before starting Audeze, Sankar was the product manager at DVS/Rohde & Schwarz responsible for the Digital Cinema product line, the most widely used encoder for digital cinema. Previously he held various roles at DVS working on a range of products from video acquisition, broadcast, and high-speed video storage. He also worked on the video playback systems used for various theme park rides like KingKong360, Shrek4D, The Simpsons at Universal Studios, and Mission Space at Disney.
SOFY
SOFY is one of the U.K.’s most exciting alt-pop talents, lighting up stages from Glastonbury to Boardmasters, Latitude, and beyond. With her sharp-witted lyricism and magnetic live energy, she has built a devoted fanbase—her self-proclaimed ‘rats’—who follow her across the country. Her latest project, a conceptual mixtape out now via Chess Club Records, is her most daring and personal yet. At its heart is “Front Seat Honey,” a track that perfectly captures the mixtape’s deep dive into the evolution of a relationship. Unlike her previous work, which often dissects others’ experiences, SOFY places herself in the narrative, bringing listeners along for the emotional ride. In an era dominated by short-form content and algorithm-driven trends, SOFY rejects the pressure to condense art into bite-sized moments. “Listening to longer projects with lore and nuance is what made me fall in love with my favorite artists,” she explains. “Front Seat Honey“ and the mixtape reflect that commitment—proof that music driven by storytelling, emotion, and authenticity still resonates. Listen to the track HERE, and contact Alex Dobson at alex.at.yesplease.fm@disco-mailer.net for all inquiries on behalf of SOFY.
MASI MASI
MASI MASI, the British alt/indie-pop powerhouse led by the multi-talented Joe McGrath, is back with a vengeance and turns up the heat with their electrifying new single, “She’s Trouble.” Recorded in Los Angeles and accompanied by a visually striking music video, the track oozes late-night temptation and reckless allure. As McGrath puts it, “She’s Trouble” is a tongue-in-cheek ode to those moments when you know heading over to a lover’s place late at night might not be the best idea—but you do it anyway. No strangers to success, MASI MASI has already made waves with tracks like “Favourite Gold” and “We Don’t Care,” earning global radio play and securing coveted spots on Spotify and Apple Music‘s top playlists. McGrath, the driving force behind the project, seamlessly juggles roles as lead singer, songwriter, and producer, while also making his mark in the fashion world through collaborations with major brands. With their signature blend of sharp songwriting and cinematic storytelling, MASI MASI continues to captivate. Watch the video for “She’s Trouble” HERE, and contact Sat Bisla at sat@anrworldwide.com as MASI MASI is available for licensing, booking, label, and sync opportunities worldwide.
“PASSPORT APPROVED” PLAYLIST FOR Sunday, April 6th, 2025: The weekly import show is heard on more than 40 radio stations on six continents weekly including: Flux FM Berlin (Germany); NINETYSIX Radio (Indonesia); Radio Doble Nueve, Lima (Peru); Radio C Luxembourg; KWSS “93.9FM” Phoenix, AZ; KRML “102.1FM” Carmel, CA; KFRR “New Rock 104.1FM” Fresno, CA; Radio 1, Mumbai (India); WCNR Charlottesville, VA; KIWR “The River” Council Bluffs, IA; RTÉ 2XM Ireland (national radio); 96.2 ZFM The Netherlands; WAPS/WKTL “91.3 The Summit” Akron–Canton-Youngstown, OH; PUK–FM Johannesburg (South Africa); Rock 96.5FM Zambia; 897 FM Bratislava, Slovakia; WITH “90.1FM” Ithaca, NY; UCFM 87.8FM Australian Capital Territory, Australia; WSHR Long Island, NY, WRUR 88.5FM Rochester, NY; WCRU–FM Hamilton, NY; KZND Anchorage, AK; KQCJ Quad Cities, IL; Allgauhit–FM Bavaria Germany; Indie X FM Los Angeles, QCIndie Saskatchewan, Canada; WJSE Cape May/Atlantic City, NJ and on The Independent FM (iHeartRadio) in the United States, as well as many others internationally.
Listen to this two hour show by clicking HERE:
MONOTRONIC – “Everything Moves” (Unsigned, U.S.)
UNPEOPLE – “The Garden” (SharpTone Records, U.K.)
VELLA – “All My Love” (Universal Music, Sweden)
FAT DOG – “Peace Song” (Domino Records, U.K.)
ACROBVT – “Save It For Me” (Unsigned, U.K.)
SPACEY JANE – “All The Noise” (Concord, Australia)
JACOB BANKS – “Blind” (Interscope, U.S.)
THE AMAZONS – “My Blood” (Fiction Records, U.K.
CASSIA – “Friends” (Distiller, U.K.)
SUNDAY (1994) – “Doomsday” (RCA, U.K.)
THE LOTTERY WINNERS – “Turn Around” (Modern Sky, U.K.)
SHOBSY – “Hold Me Up” (Pangea Int’l Music, Ireland)
CIRCA WAVES – “Let’s Leave Together” (Lower Third / [PIAS], U.K)
CARISSA SUMMER ROSE – “Scatterbrain” (Unsigned, U.S.)
NONĒ SUNSHINE – “Clairvoyant” (Unsigned, U.S.)
RHETT REPKO – “Every Night” (Unsigned, U.S.)
GOOD NEIGHBOURS – “Ripple” (Polydor/Capitol, U.K.)
SI EVOL – “By The Sea” (Unsigned, Sweden)
THE MOVING STILLS – “Telephone” (Unsigned, Australia)
KINGFISHR – “Man On The Moon” (Doonane Records, Ireland)
KAI BOSCH – “Angel” (LAB Records, U.K.)
SADIE FINE – “Whoreble” (Sign From The Universe, U.K.)
THE TERRY’S – “Stay Free” (Good Intent, Australia)
MASI MASI – “She’s Trouble” (Pangea Int’l Music, U.K.)
SOMEBODY’S CHILD – “Last Night I Held Your Hand” (French Kiss, U.K.)
THE PALE WHITE – “Lost In The Moment” (End of the Wall Recordings, U.K.)
INHALER – “Your House” (Polydor, U.K.)
MOOD BORED – “Out Loud” (Mattan Records, Holland)
BABY SAID – “Hate Me” (Pal Records, U.K.)
GIZMO VARILLAS – “Under The Weight” (Sonteca Records, Spain)
THE SHERLOCKS – “Bones” (Infectious, U.K.)
CAT SERRANO – “When You Love Me” (Unsigned, U.S.)
ADAM REESE – “1996” (Unsigned, U.S.)
BABYMETAL SIGNS GLOBAL DEAL WITH CAPITOL RECORDS: BABYMETAL has officially signed with Capitol Records as the first Japanese artist to secure a frontline deal with the label. The band’s new album, METAL FORTH, will be released globally on June 13. The title, meaning “beyond metal,” highlights an eclectic mix of collaborations with artists like Poppy, Electric Callboy, Spiritbox, Tom Morello, Bloodywood, Polyphia, and Slaughter to Prevail—names BABYMETAL has bonded with during their worldwide tours. As they celebrate their 15th anniversary, BABYMETAL is gearing up for a world tour that includes several milestones. In May, the band will embark on their first-ever headline arena tour in the U.K. and Europe, featuring 12 shows across eight countries, with the finale at The O2 Arena in London—making them the first Japanese band to headline this venue. Following this, they will launch their largest North American tour yet, starting June 13. The 24-date trek will include a performance on June 24 at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The band is also planning arena shows in Japan and a tour across Asia, building on their reputation as one of metal’s most boundary-pushing acts. In addition to their own headlining performances, BABYMETAL has opened for acts like Lady Gaga, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Avenged Sevenfold. Tom March, Chairman & CEO, Capitol Records, stated, “BABYMETAL’s groundbreaking sound and compelling artistic vision have not only cultivated a worldwide following but have also demonstrably shifted global music culture. We at Capitol Records are privileged to join them in this next chapter as we continue to amplify their international reach and influence with the upcoming release of Metal Forth.”
DOWNTOWN ARTIST & LABEL SERVICES REVEALS NEW SIGNINGS: Downtown Artist & Label Services (DA&LS) has announced several new signings. The latest additions include Capital Cities, Sofi Tukker, and a catalog upstreaming deal with Twenty One Pilots for their 2009 self-titled debut album. Capital Cities, best known for their song “Safe and Sound,” have partnered with DA&LS to enhance both their catalog and future releases. Since joining forces with the company, the duo has experienced a boost in streaming, with daily Spotify listening increasing by over 30%. Their first collaboration with Downtown, an album titled A Hurricane of Frowns, was released on February 14. Meanwhile, Grammy-nominated dance duo Sofi Tukker has signed with Downtown to manage the U.S. rights to their catalog, which includes the track “Purple Hat.” The duo has been a mainstay in the dance music scene since their breakout hit “Drinkee” in 2015, earning multiple Grammy nominations over the years, including “Best Dance Recording” for “Drinkee” in 2017 and “Best Dance/Electronic Album” for Treehouse in 2019. Also, Downtown has successfully up-streamed the debut album of Grammy-winning rock band Twenty One Pilots, originally released through Downtown-owned CD Baby in 2009. This highlights Downtown’s ongoing strategy to elevate independent artists, having already upstreamed over 20 artists from CD Baby, including Roar and Rebecca Black. Black, who joined DA&LS in 2022, recently released her debut album Let Her Burn, with her single “Salvation” debuting at No.10 on the U.S. Spotify charts and receiving significant global DSP support. Downtown’s commitment to independent artists is further evidenced by the success of TV Girl. After being up-streamed from CD Baby in 2022, TV Girl saw a staggering 350% increase in streaming, and their 2014 track “Lovers Rock” has recently entered Spotify’s Billions Club, with more than 500 million streams in the past year alone.
POPHOUSE ENTERTAINMENT CLOSES €1.2 BILLION FUND: Pophouse Entertainment has successfully closed its inaugural fund, Pophouse Fund I, raising over €1 billion (Euros). This positions the firm as one of Europe’s largest first-time private equity funds in the past decade. In addition to the main fund, Pophouse has secured more than €200 million through specialized co-investment vehicles, giving investors the chance to participate alongside the fund in select transactions. Currently, around 30% of the fund has been deployed, with notable partnerships already established, including collaborations with names like Kiss, Cyndi Lauper, Avicii, and Swedish House Mafia. Founded by ABBA‘s Björn Ulvaeus and EQT‘s Conni Jonsson, Pophouse is led by CEO Per Sundin and chaired by Lennart Blecher, EQT’s Head of Real Assets. The firm’s investments span across publishing rights, recording rights, and NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights, with a global investor base that includes top pension funds, endowments, high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds. Johan Lagerlöf, Managing Partner at Pophouse, said, “By investing across publishing, recording, and brand rights, Pophouse has created a uniquely attractive prospect not only for investors but also for artists, empowering them to explore and amplify their legacy to new generations of fans. We would like to thank our investors for the trust they have placed in our world-class investment and creative teams, and we look forward to the exciting journey ahead as we continue to partner with more of the world’s preeminent artists.”
THE MOLOTOVS SIGN WITH JOHN GIDDINGS’ SOLO MUSIC AGENCY: Burgeoning U.K. indie rock band The Molotovs have joined forces with John Giddings, Chairman of Solo Music Agency, as their live agent. The teenage sibling duo – Mathew and Issey Cartlidge – have been expanding their industry roster recently, having already signed with Anthony Andrews‘ Expectation Management and inked a deal with Marshall Records, led by industry veteran Steve Tannett. John Giddings, known for his work at Live Nation, where he’s promoted acts such as The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, The Police, and the late David Bowie, is the latest name to collaborate with the band. Solo Music Agency will now oversee The Molotovs’ live representation both in the U.K. and internationally. The band released their debut single “More More More,” which hit No.1 on the 7-inch vinyl chart upon its release on March 28. The single features a special B-side – a reimagined version of David Bowie’s “Suffragette City.” Already attracting attention from acts such as The Libertines, the Sex Pistols, Adam Ant, and Blondie for tour support, The Molotovs have also earned praise from Green Day, who have highlighted the band both on stage and in interviews. With over 500 shows under their belt, including a sell-out U.K. tour and performances at London venues Dingwalls and Bush Hall – where they led the charge to save the venue from closure – the band continues to build their reputation. They recently made their debut in the U.S., supported the Sex Pistols at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and have just kicked off a new U.K. tour. The Molotovs are set to make their debut appearance at Giddings’ Isle of Wight Festival in June.
PELOTON PARTNERS WITH DANCE LABEL ARMADA MUSIC: Peloton has teamed up with Armada Music in a partnership that kicks off in 2025. This collaboration builds on the success of Peloton’s previous residency with Defected Records in Great Britain. Starting next year, Peloton members will get exclusive access to a series of live DJ-led classes at Peloton Studios in both New York and London. Over the course of the year, the platform will feature six workouts curated by some of Armada’s biggest artists. The residency began with a takeover by Arty at Peloton Studios New York on April 3. In addition to Arty, more Armada artists will join the lineup throughout the year, each bringing their own sound to Peloton’s New York and London studios. The program will culminate in a grand finale this fall with Armada Co-Founder and dance musician Armin van Buuren.
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING NASHVILLE SIGNS AVERIE BIELSKI: Sony Music Publishing Nashville (SMP) has secured a global publishing deal with emerging singer-songwriter Averie Bielski. Bielski made her mark in 2021 with her breakout single “I Do Too”, which went viral on TikTok before its official release. Since relocating to Nashville two years ago, Bielski’s songwriting prowess has caught the ear of several artists, with her tracks being recorded by names like Callista Clark, Zach John King, Carson Wallace, Ashley Anne, and Grace Tyler, to name a few. Averie Bielski said, “Finding a home at Sony Music Publishing has been such a blessing, especially being a younger writer. Having a team that genuinely believes in you and your work as a songwriter is hard to come by, but I am so blessed to have found that dream team. I’m truly so excited and ready to see what we can achieve and can’t wait to see all God has in store for the SMP team and me!” Synnovea Halsel, Manager of Creative, Sony Music Publishing Nashville, added, “We’re beyond excited to welcome Averie to the SMP family. From the moment I heard her first song, I was taken aback. The way that Averie thinks about intertwining fresh lyrics and unique melodies is so special. She has such a bright future ahead of her!”
CHARLI XCX SIGNS TO PPL FOR INTERNATIONAL NEIGHBORING RIGHTS ROYALTIES COLLECTIONS: Charli XCX has partnered with PPL to manage the collection of her international neighboring rights royalties. She joins a growing roster of artists, including Ice Spice, Kenya Grace, and London Grammar, who have recently signed with PPL for global royalty collection. Charli XCX is part of an increasing number of electronic music stars turning to PPL for international rights management, alongside names like Becky Hill, Sigala, Joel Corry, and Lewis Thompson. The release of her sixth album Brat marked a milestone, debuting at No.1 and earning multiple accolades. Charli’s career has seen her win five BRIT Awards, including “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year,” as well as three Grammy Awards for “Best Dance/Electronic Album,” “Best Dance Pop Recording,” and “Best Recording Package.” PPL has also revealed the most-played tracks of Charli XCX on U.K. radio and TV, with “I Love It” taking the top spot, accounting for 22% of her total airplay this century. Her songs are played an average of 54 times a day across U.K. stations. Following the success of Brat, tracks like “Apple” and “Von Dutch” are already among her most played, ranking at No.14 and No.15, respectively.
THE HIVES SIGN TO [PIAS]: Iconic Swedish rock band The Hives have signed with Play It Again Sam, the flagship label of [PIAS], for the release of their new album The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, set to drop on August 29, 2025. The album will be a key priority for [PIAS] in Q3, with the company’s global network of 21 offices strategically mobilized to support this new chapter for the band. [PIAS] will work to expand The Hives’ international reach while continuing to nurture their resolute fanbase. The announcement of the album comes alongside news of The Hives’ upcoming world tour, which will take them to Australia, the U.S., Japan, the U.K., and beyond, culminating with a grand finale at their hometown show in Stockholm at the Avicii Arena. The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, follows the success of the band’s 2023 comeback album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons which reached No.2 in the U.K. charts and marked their first studio release in over 11 years. Tours with Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys & Green Day, and a Glastonbury 2024 performance assisted in the release. Russell Crank, Head of A&R, [PIAS], tells A&R Worldwide, “The Hives set out to make their arena record and they’ve delivered just that. Powered by one of the most electrifying bands out there, with one of the world’s best rock vocalists up front, it’s an absolute banger of a record that is full of the band’s idiosyncratic charm. We’re rolling out a unique campaign which is centered on the band’s boundless creativity.”
TIKTOK SOFT-LAUNCHES ‘TIKTOK FOR ARTISTS’ PLATFORM: TikTok has quietly launched TikTok for Artists, a new service aimed at giving musicians detailed insights into how their tracks are performing on the platform. The service offers analytics tools to help artists track fan engagement and understand what content is resonating with their audience. It also provides promotional features to help artists amplify their music. TikTok for Artists has been in beta for a while, available to a select group of artists. Now, the platform is expanding the service to five countries: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, with plans to extend it to additional markets soon. Like “for artist” services offered by platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud, TikTok’s offering also includes analytics and promotional features. However, unlike SoundCloud, TikTok’s version is free to use, much like Spotify’s. One notable feature is the option for artists to run pre-save campaigns for upcoming releases that are set to debut on platforms like Apple Music or Spotify. To access TikTok for Artists, musicians need a verified artist account, and while the service is currently only available in select regions, the sign-up page is live globally. Additionally, TikTok has also rolled out SoundOn, its own music distribution service.
EXCELERATION MUSIC APPOINTS MATT HARMON AS HEAD OF RIGHTS DEVELOPMENT: Exceleration Music has appointed Matt Harmon as its new Head of Rights Development. In this role, Harmon will collaborate with Exceleration’s roster of owned and partner labels, which include +1 Records, Alligator, Bloodshot, Candid, Down the Road, Kill Rock Stars, Mack Avenue, SideOneDummy, and Yep Roc. His responsibilities will encompass the support of new release initiatives, and driving the growth of catalogs across the company, which is dedicated to investing in the future of the independent music sector. Harmon brings over 20 years of experience from Beggars Group in the U.S., where he was integral to the company’s expansion. He began in 1998 as Head of Sales and eventually became President, overseeing influential labels like Matador Records, 4AD, Rough Trade, XL Recordings, and Young. At Exceleration Music, Harmon will spearhead label operations across the company’s portfolio, assisting with A&R development, marketing strategies, and enhancing catalog growth.
MERLIN PARTNERS WITH CODA MUSIC PLATFORM: Merlin has teamed up with Coda Music, a platform designed to transform how fans interact with artists and explore new music. As part of the collaboration, Merlin’s catalog of premium independent music will play a key role in powering Coda Music’s efforts to cultivate more meaningful connections between artists and their audiences, while also enhancing community-driven music discovery. Coda Music aims to bridge the gap between traditional streaming services and social networks by allowing artists to engage more directly with their fans. This includes sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content and creating a space where fans can discover music through the insights and preferences of others. The platform’s unique Music Personality Profiles help users track their musical tastes, making it easier to uncover new favorites and connect with fans who share similar interests. “Coda Music is reimagining streaming as an interactive, artist-led experience, where fans discover music through community-driven recommendations, discussions, and exclusive content,” said a statement. “The platform’s unique social ecosystem enhances discovery while allowing artists to cultivate more meaningful relationships with their audiences.”
NEED TO MAKE CONTACT, SEND NEWS AND NEW MUSIC RELEASES?: If you have any A&R, publishing, technology, agent/promoter, international radio, management, new media or film/TV music supervisor news you’d like to share with A&R Worldwide, or need to respond to information published in the weekly newsletter please E–mail it to the attention of info@anrworldwide.com. Also, all demos and new music releases should be sent as STREAMING LINKS ONLY to info@anrworldwide.com.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jen Malone, Brandon Young, Louisa Rainbird, Dave Jordan, Justine von Winterfeldt, Katie Colley, Christophe Becker, Julian Palmer, Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, Maik Pallasch, Robin Shaw, and Satya Hinduja.
