A&R Worldwide Newsletter Vol. 897

BMG APPOINTS MONTI OLSON TO LEAD MUSIC PUBLISHING IN NORTH AMERICA

 

 

 

BMG has brought back veteran A&R and creative executive Monti Olson to lead its North American publishing operations as Executive Vice President, Publishing, North America.

Olson previously served at BMG between 2018 and 2022, where he spearheaded the company’s U.S. publishing division, driving frontline signings, business development, and acquisitions. In his new role, he will oversee publishing A&R and creative administration, expand the roster through new signings and catalog acquisitions, and shape long-term growth strategies across Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York.

During the transition, Olson will report to Thomas Scherer, BMG’s President of Global Catalog Recordings and Music Publishing, North America, before reporting to BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld. He will also take a seat on the company’s Global Strategy Committee, which unites senior leaders from around the world to chart BMG’s overall direction.

Olson rejoins BMG after co-founding and serving as President of Litmus Music, a rights acquisition company backed by The Carlyle Group. While there, he played a leading role in more than ten major deals, including transactions with Katy Perry, Keith Urban, benny blanco, Randy Newman, and Opus Music Group (Juice WRLD, Ozuna, Maluma). He also reconnects with several clients from his previous BMG tenure, including the estate of Juice WRLD, Diane Warren, John Legend, D’Mile, Jeff Gitelman, and Rob Grimaldi.

Thomas Coesfeld said, “We are pleased to welcome Monti back to BMG. His return comes at a pivotal moment for both our company and the industry at large, and his leadership will be central to driving our publishing strategy. With his expertise and passion for songwriters, we are confident Monti will play a transformative role in helping shape the next phase of growth for BMG.”

With more than 25 years in the business, Olson’s résumé spans senior leadership posts at Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Bros. Records, Global Music Publishing, peermusic, Windswept, MCA Records, and earlier stints at BMG Music Publishing.

 

 

 

Warner Music Group (WMG) has unveiled a new strategy to bring its flagship labels, Atlantic Records and Warner Records, in the U.S. and U.K. into closer alignment, particularly across A&R and marketing, to strengthen the international reach of their artists.

As part of this initiative, Atlantic U.K. Co-Presidents Ed Howard and Briony Turner will take seats on the global leadership team of Atlantic Music Group, reporting directly to Elliot Grainge, CEO, Atlantic Music Group.

Meanwhile, Joe Kentish, President of Warner Records U.K. and the Parlophone Label Group, will join Warner Records’ global leadership team, reporting to Aaron Bay-Schuck, Group Chairman & CEO, and Tom Corson, Chairman & COO.

Shared services that support both Atlantic and Warner in the U.K. will now be overseen by Simon Robson, President of EMEA Recorded Music at WMG, working alongside Isabel Garvey, Chief Operating Officer, Warner Music U.K.

The announcement comes shortly after Tony Harlow revealed he will step down as CEO of Warner Music U.K. in October, following six years in the role.

Robert Kyncl, CEO of WMG, said, “The U.K. is home to some of our biggest artists and most exciting emerging talents, who are helping shape culture around the world. It’s also a hugely influential ignition point for global stars who are growing their fan bases. This strategic move will put more firepower behind British artists, while strengthening the U.K.’s place in our ecosystem, as one of our highest priority markets. Both our U.K. and U.S. teams will be able to better mirror the way music moves in the world, further strengthening WMG’s collective impact and competitive edge.”

According to WMG, the closer partnership formalizes an already successful history of collaboration between its U.S. and U.K. teams, one that has helped British artists break into the global market and enabled U.S. acts to establish strong followings in the U.K. The move is designed to accelerate artist development across borders, giving talent greater opportunities to achieve more scalable global success.

 

 

 

Rising singer-songwriter St. Lundi kicks off an exciting new chapter with the release of his evocative new single “Mercury.” Written during a recent trip to Los Angeles, the track captures the push-and-pull of a one-sided relationship, drawing on celestial imagery to describe a person who, much like the planet itself, is mercurial and impossible to pin down. “Mercury is that person you can’t help but orbit, even though they never let you get too close,” St. Lundi explains. The release arrives just as St. Lundi prepares to join Grammy-nominated multi-platinum band The Fray as main support on their completely sold-out U.K. and European tour, a dream-come-true moment he describes as a “major bucket list experience.” Spanning 15 dates across Europe and the U.K., the run will introduce his soaring, heartfelt songwriting to thousands of new fans. Listen to “Mercury” HERE and contact Mortiz Friedenberg for all inquiries on behalf of St. Lundi.

 

 

SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING PROMOTES JORDI TELLO TO MANAGING DIRECTOR OF IBERIA: Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has elevated Jordi Tello to the role of Managing Director, Iberia, effective immediately. Tello steps into the position following the retirement of Juan Ignacio Alonso, who led SMP Spain for many years before officially departing at the end of August. In his new role, Tello will oversee the company’s operations in Spain and Portugal, focusing on creative strategy, business development, and strengthening SMP’s partnerships across the region. He will remain based in Madrid and report directly to Guy Henderson, President, International, Sony Music Publishing. Since joining SMP in April 2024 as A&R Director, Tello has aided in signing and collaborating with artists and writers such as Rels B, Arde Bogotá, Morad, RVFV, Cruz Cafuné, Barry B, Rigoberta Bandini, Belén Aguilera, Rodrigo Cuevas, Julieta, Vicco, Marlena, Fernando Velázquez, Pablo Rouss, Yarea, and many more. Tello has over 25 years of industry experience, starting out as a musician before shifting into A&R in 1999 with Warner Music. He went on to spend 15 years at Universal Music Publishing, where he rose to A&R Director, before joining Sony Music in 2017. In 2023, he returned to the publishing side of the business at SMP, paving the way for his latest leadership appointment. Guy Henderson said, “I am so pleased that Jordi will take over the reins as managing director for SMP Iberia. Jordi has developed a successful A&R team for us in Spain, who have been consistent market leaders during his tenure. With his experience, energy, and the good relationships across the industry, I know that he has all the qualities to achieve enormous success in his new role.”

 

POSITION MUSIC SIGNS SINGER/SONGWRITER JOHNNY ORLANDO: Position Music has expanded its roster with the signing of Canadian singer-songwriter Johnny Orlando to a worldwide recording deal, as announced by company President & CEO Tyler Bacon. At just twenty-two, Orlando has already made a mark on the global pop scene, amassing more than 1.2 billion streams and cultivating an audience of over 26 million fans worldwide. His career highlights include multiple JUNO Award nominations for “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” and “Pop Album of the Year,” along with a streak of four consecutive MTV EMA wins for Best Canadian Act. Orlando’s debut full-length project, all the things that could go wrong, has racked up more than 125 million streams, underscoring his growing impact as one of Canada’s most successful young artists in the digital era. Joe Brooks A&R, Position Music, said, “Bottom line is, Johnny is working on some of the best unreleased music I’ve heard and everyone from the CEO to the interns at Position has had the demos on repeat. At only twenty-two, he has everything you could ask for in an artist; a wealth of experience, a monstrous fanbase, a willingness to collaborate, and an insatiable desire to succeed. He’s given us a phenomenal platform to build from and we’re ready to help him evolve into this next chapter of his career.” 

 

CINDY GU NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF SOUTHEAST ASIA FOR VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP: Virgin Music Group has appointed Cindy Gu as General Manager, Southeast Asia. In this capacity, she will oversee Virgin’s operations across Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Gu arrives at Virgin after her tenure as Managing Director of Fabled Records, a joint venture between Live Nation and Universal Music Group‘s Astralwerks Records. There, she assisted in driving artist signings, building growth strategies, and managing the label’s day-to-day operations. With more than ten years of experience in the electronic music sector, spanning both majors and independents, Gu has been instrumental in elevating Asian talent to the global stage. Her track record includes breakout successes such as Weird Genius‘ “Lathi” (500 million streams), the Indo-Thai collaboration “Future Ghost” (50 million streams), MYRNE & Shallou‘s “Falling Back,” and Sam Feldt, SHAUN & Conor Maynard‘s “Way Back Home”, which has amassed over 2 billion streams worldwide. She signed and nurtured these projects while holding senior roles at Fabled, Astralwerks, and Warner Music‘s Spinnin’ Records. At Virgin, Gu will work closely with Liza Fuady, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, who has led the region’s business and commercial growth over the past year. Fuady remains based in Jakarta and will report directly to Gu, who will lead from Virgin’s Singapore hub.

 

BUCKS MUSIC GROUP SIGNS POP WILL EAT ITSELF’S GRAHAM CRABB: Bucks Music Group has signed Graham Crabb of iconic British indie band Pop Will Eat Itself (PWEI) to a global publishing agreement, just ahead of the band’s forthcoming album release. The deal adds to Bucks’ long-standing relationship with the group, which already administers rights for several current and former members, including Adam Mole, Fuzz Townshend, Davey Bennett, Mary Byker, Kerry Hammond, and Tim Muddiman. Best known for U.K. Top 40 hits like “Can U Dig It?” and “Wise Up! Sucker” from their 1989 debut This Is the Day…This Is the Hour…This Is This!, PWEI went on to achieve Top 20 albums in the early 1990s with The Looks or the Lifestyle and Dos Dedos Mis Amigos. In 1992, they made history as the first unsigned band to perform on Top of the Pops, after “Get the Girl,” “Kill the Baddies and Save The Entire Planet” cracked the U.K. Top 10. Crabb, the band’s principal songwriter alongside original member Clint Mansell, has also pursued side projects such as Vileevils, Golden Claw Musics, and Je Suis Crabbi, while co-writing tracks like The Prodigy‘s “Their Law” from Music for A Jilted Generation. Pop Will Eat Itself’s upcoming album Delete Everything is due out on October 3rd, following the singles “Bruiser” and “Disco Misfits.” The release will be supported by a U.K. tour running from October 17 at Manchester Academy 2 through November 29 at Norwich’s Epic Studios.

 

YUKI CHIBA INKS DEAL WITH WARNER MUSIC: Warner Music has signed a new global partnership with Japanese star Yuki Chiba. The deal sees Warner Music Japan working in collaboration with 300 Entertainment in the U.S. to amplify Chiba’s career beyond Asia. Chiba has already made waves with his single “Team Tomodachi,” which became a streaming hit across the region, and through his collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion on “MAMUSHI (feat. Yuki Chiba),” which sparked viral attention online. With Warner Music’s global infrastructure, digital marketing resources, and access to international collaborations, the joint effort between Warner Music Japan and 300 Entertainment will help accelerate Chiba’s global rise. As part of this new chapter, he will relocate to Los Angeles and make his U.S. live debut with a headline show at The Roxy on September 18th, followed by a performance at 88rising‘s Head In The Clouds Festival in New York on September 20th at Under The K Bridge Park in Brooklyn. Outside of music, Chiba is expanding his influence across culture and lifestyle. He recently became a global ambassador for Nike‘s Jordan Brand and partnered with Riot Games, creating the official anthem for the VALORANT VCT Pacific Stage 2 competition. Takeshi Okada, President & CEO of Warner Music Japan, said, “We are delighted that Yuki Chiba, an artist with truly one-of-a-kind creative talent and an undeniable presence, has chosen us as a partner for the next chapter of his career. We’re excited to collaborate on his recording work and offer comprehensive support for his entire musical journey. With a strong and growing fan base both in Japan and overseas, Chiba-San is poised to take to the world stage. As a global music company, we will bring the full strength of our international network and capabilities to back his bold ambitions and help turn audiences into fans and his dreams into reality.”

 

ARRIVAL ARTISTS & ATC LIVE MERGE TO FORM ROAM: Arrival Artists (North America) and ATC Live (U.K.) have officially merged to launch Roam, a new independent global booking agency with offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris, and Glasgow. With a roster of more than 800 artists and a staff of over 80 professionals, Roam positions itself as the largest independent agency worldwide and ranks as the fifth biggest overall in the live booking sector. The combined lineup brings together a range of acts, including Amyl & The Sniffers, Big Thief, Black Pumas, Fontaines DC, Good Neighbours, Jungle, Khruangbin, Japanese Breakfast, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Royel Otis, Sufjan Stevens, The Lumineers, and many others. Collectively, these artists perform more than 10,000 shows each year at venues like Madison Square Garden, the O2 Arena, Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, and Radio City Music Hall, as well as festivals such as Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Primavera Sound, Coachella, and Roskilde. Together, they have a total of 84 Grammy nominations (23 wins), six Oscar nods (three wins), 16 BRIT nominations (three wins), 18 Mercury Prize nominations (four wins), and 15 Tony nominations (nine wins). The idea for Roam stems from a 2020 collaboration between Arrival and ATC Live, which began as a shared A&R initiative and evolved into a cross-Atlantic network supporting their rosters on a global scale. Roam’s leadership team features Arrival Co-Founders Ali Hedrick, Erik Selz, John Bongiorno, Karl Morse, Ethan Berlin, and Matt Yasecko, alongside ATC Live’s Alex Bruford and partners Clemence Renaut, Colin Keenan, Ed Thompson, Olivia-jane Ransley, Sarah Joy, Skully Sullivan Kaplan, and Will Church. The agency will operate with territory-specific teams specializing in touring, digital marketing, brand partnerships, philanthropic projects, and bookings across colleges, festivals, and private events.

 

MOLIY SIGNS DEAL WITH WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC: Warner Chappell Music has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer-songwriter MOLIY, covering both her existing catalog and future compositions. MOLIY first gained attention in 2020 with the release of her debut EP Wondergirl, which earned radio play in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, boosted by tracks like “Loud” featuring Kkeda. Her international breakthrough came the following year with features on Amaarae‘s The Angel You Don’t Know, including “Sad Girlz Luv Money,” and “Feel A Way.” The “Sad Girlz Luv Money (Remix)” with Kali Uchis went on to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and break into the U.K. Top 40, propelling MOLIY into the global spotlight. Returning to Ghana, she collaborated with artists such as Shekinah, Libianca, and Boj. In 2024, she reached new heights with the release of “Shake It to The Max (Fly),” produced by Silent Addy. The track exploded on TikTok, hitting No.1 on both the U.S. and U.K. Afrobeats Singles Charts, No.12 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart, and even topping the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and Canada. It also became the most “Shazamed” song in the world. The single has sparked a wave of remixes featuring Skillibeng, Shenseea, Major Lazer, and Sean Paul, with additional collaborations in the pipeline alongside Lady Lava, Stefflon Don, and Vybz Kartel. The song also earned MOLIY a Best Afrobeats nomination at the MTV VMAs, the first of what is expected to be many accolades. This year, MOLIY made history as the first Ghanaian artist to perform at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. She is currently working on new material for her next project while touring across the Caribbean, U.S., and Europe. 

 

HYBE AMERICA TAPS JENNI PFAFF AS CHIEF PEOPLE & TRANSFORMATION OFFICER: Hybe America has named Jenni Pfaff as its new Chief People & Transformation Officer. She will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office and report directly to Isaac Lee, Chairman & CEO. In this position, Pfaff will take charge of Hybe America’s people strategy, spanning talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, employee engagement, and coaching programs. She will also oversee internal communications across the organization. Pfaff comes from Warner Chappell Music, where she most recently served as Executive VP of Strategy, Integration & Operations, working alongside senior leadership on global initiatives, strategic planning, and technology-driven improvements to better serve the publisher’s roster. Before that, she was Global Head of People at Warner Chappell, where she played a key role in restructuring the company’s worldwide operations.

 

GRANDMASTER FLASH JOINS PRIMARY WAVE ROSTER: Primary Wave Music has officially welcomed pioneering DJ and hip-hop icon Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler) to its talent roster. Management will be overseen by Eric Baker, partner in Primary Wave’s management division, operating out of the company’s West Coast office. Flash joins a varied lineup of clients represented by Primary Wave, which includes Cypress Hill, Bell Biv DeVoe, CeeLo Green, Jefferson Starship, Melissa Etheridge, Eric Benét, Skid Row, and others. As a founding figure of hip-hop, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five delivered records such as “Superappin’,” “Freedom,” “The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels of Steel,” and their anthem “The Message,” a track Rolling Stone ranked among its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Over his career, Flash has earned five platinum and gold albums. Beyond chart success, Flash and The Furious Five became the first hip-hop group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His legacy has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award, BET Icon Award, VH1 Hip Hop Honors, the DJ Vanguard Award presented by Bill Gates, and the prestigious Polar Music Prize. “Undeniably one of the genre’s architects, few names have become as well known to hip-hop lovers and music historians around the world as Grandmaster Flash,” said a statement. “A true musical innovator, his use of turntables has sparked a timeless legacy that has extended from the Bronx block parties of the early 1970s to all corners of the globe today.”

 

FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP SIGNS CORELLA: Frontiers Label Group (FLG), the U.K. imprint focused on alternative and modern rock, has added Manchester England’s Corella to its roster. The four-piece alt-rock band has steadily built a loyal following, selling out venues across the United Kingdom. Their 2022 debut EP Today, Tomorrow, Whenever and the BBC Radio 1-backed single “Don’t Stop Me” helped lay the groundwork for their first full-length album, Once Upon A Weekend, produced with longtime collaborators Sugarhouse. Corella’s rise has also been fueled by extensive touring, with sold-out shows across the U.K. and Europe, as well as performances at festivals including Reading, Latitude, Rock Werchter, Kendal Calling, and Truck. Leo Nicholas, Head of A&R, FLG, who helped sign the band, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Corella to the Frontiers Label Group family. They’re one of the most exciting new bands I’ve encountered in years – combining great songs with a relentless work ethic and a genuine connection to their audience. That’s exactly the kind of energy we strive to champion at FLG. “We’ve had a preview of what they’ve been creating behind the scenes, and it’s going to make a serious impact when it lands,” he added. “This is just the start of a powerful new chapter for Corella, and we’re proud to be part of their journey.”

 

CHRISTOPHER SÖDERGREN TO LEAD DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER STRATEGY AT SONY MUSIC: Sony Music revealed the appointment of Christopher Södergren as its first-ever Executive VP of Direct-to-Consumer Strategy & Operations. Based in New York and reporting to Kevin Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer, Södergren will lead the development of Sony’s D2C initiatives and strengthen its global e-commerce presence. Södergren joins from Universal Music Group, where he served as Executive VP of eCommerce & Head of Business Operations. In that role, he directed global e-commerce strategy and spearheaded artist-led brand ventures, overseeing technology, data, marketing, operations, and business development. Before his time at UMG, Södergren held senior posts at WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery), where he launched the FilmStruck streaming platform and played a key role in expanding D2C sports services. Earlier in his career, he worked at Boston Consulting Group and Accenture Management Consulting, advising on digital transformation, M&A, and strategic operations.

 

WARNER CHAPPELL NASHVILLE RENEWS PUBLISHING DEAL WITH KACEY MUSGRAVES: Warner Chappell Music Nashville (WCM) has extended its worldwide publishing partnership with Kacey Musgraves, the singer-songwriter and eight-time Grammy Award winner. In 2024, Musgraves received the “Songwriter Icon Award” from the National Music Publishers’ Association, highlighting her influence as both a writer and performer. Her latest project, Deeper Well (2024), marked her fifth straight No.1 debut on the U.S. Country Albums Chart. The record features “The Architect,” which went on to win Best Country Song at the 2025 Grammys. Musgraves also made history in 2024 by becoming the only artist ever to secure Grammy wins across all country categories, with her award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance alongside Warner Chappell songwriter Zach Bryan on “I Remember Everything.” Kacey Musgraves said, “Warner Chappell has been a wonderful longstanding home for my songs and I’m so grateful for the continuation into a future I’m so excited about.” Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO, and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair & COO, WCM, added, “Kacey is an exceptionally gifted songwriter who has been a powerful voice in country music from the start, and we’re looking forward to helping shape this next chapter.”

 

DISTILLER MUSIC GROUP APPOINTS JAMES MOODIE AS MANAGING DIRECTOR: Distiller Music Group, the London, England-based independent music company, has named James Moodie as its new Managing Director, effective immediately. Moodie makes the move from The Orchard/Sony Music, where he was instrumental in establishing and leading the U.K. artist services division. Under his leadership, the team delivered campaigns for artists such as Jorja Smith, Skepta, Blossoms, Dodie, Enny, Maverick Sabre, and Black Honey. Before his time at The Orchard, Moodie built a record in senior roles at Vevo and Big Life Management. His arrival coincides with a development for Distiller Records, which has just signed Brighton-based rock trio Yonaka. The band are in the final stages of recording their sophomore album, set for release in 2026, representing a significant addition to the label’s growing lineup. Sam Dyson, Founder and CEO of Distiller Music Group, said, “We’re extremely excited to welcome James Moodie as the new MD for Distiller records! This marks a new era for the label. Distiller is an ‘artist first label, and with James’ experience and history, working alongside our fantastic team, we are primed to take Distiller to a whole new level. We can do things differently and seriously compete in this continuously evolving and challenging industry, and that’s something I feel extremely excited about!”

 

WARNER MUSIC U.K. CEO TONY HARLOW STEPS DOWN: Warner Music U.K. recently confirmed that Tony Harlow will step down as CEO at the end of October. Harlow, who took on the role in 2019, has spent decades in senior leadership positions across Warner Music, Universal, EMI, and V2. His career in music began in retail, working at the Beggars Banquet record store chain before moving into label roles. He later joined V2, the independent label founded by Richard Branson, where he collaborated closely with artists and helped shape the company’s growth. Citing his reasons, Harlow commented, “” want to be clear, I’m only making this announcement now after thinking long and hard about our team and what needs to be done for the U.K. to lead the world again. I’ve realized that my departure would create new long-term opportunities and space for our amazing senior management team to continue to grow as individuals and as leaders. In considering this decision, I’ve delayed through thinking about what an honor it has been to lead this U.K. company. To collaborate daily with the people who sign and develop talent like Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Fred Again.., Charli XCX, and Coldplay,” he wrote. “To come to work daily in a place where people love what they do. To meet and collaborate with artists who have made musical history, from Robert Plant to Liam Gallagher, Cliff Richard to Spandau Ballet. Their stories alone make it worthwhile. But most of all to get to know you all and be part of our culture.”

 

CHRYSALIS RECORDS ANNOUNCE SIGNING OF HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER: Chrysalis Records, the London, England-based independent label under the Reservoir umbrella, has signed American folk and Americana act Hiss Golden Messenger. Led by North Carolina–born songwriter and vocalist MC Taylor, Hiss Golden Messenger began with a string of self-released projects on Taylor’s own imprint, Heaven & Earth Magic Recording Company, before joining Merge Records in 2014. Under Merge, the project released a series of acclaimed albums including Lateness of Dancers, Heart Like a Levee, Hallelujah Anyhow, Terms of Surrender, which earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Americana Album,” Quietly Blowing It, and Jump for Joy. In addition to these studio releases, Hiss Golden Messenger has built a catalog featuring live albums, reimagined versions, and the holiday collection O Come All Ye Faithful. Earlier works such as Bad Debt, Poor Moon, and Haw have also been revisited through reissues. Jeremy Lascelles, CEO of Chrysalis Records, said, “I was a relative latecomer, but when I was first introduced to the music of Hiss Golden Messenger in about 2019, I instantly became a huge fan. I then had the joy of working my way back through the earlier records to discover one great album after another. So, the opportunity to sign Hiss to Chrysalis was like a gift from the heavens for me. Getting to know Mike as I have in recent months has also revealed to me that he is as great a human being as he is an artist. I do think he is genuinely one of the greatest of his generation – as a songwriter, as a musician, and as the purveyor of some of the greatest grooves in modern recording. Tom Waits and Keith Richards recorded a great song together simply called “That Feel.” Mike has ‘That Feel’ running through his veins.”

 

CUTTING EDGE ACQUIRES AMC STUDIOS’ FULL CATALOG OF TV MUSIC RIGHTS: Cutting Edge Group (CEG), one of the most active buyers of film and TV music rights in recent years, has completed another major acquisition. The U.K.-founded company revealed on September 3rd that it has purchased the entire portfolio of TV music rights from AMC Studios, securing both publishing and master rights for an undisclosed sum. The deal brings music from hit series such as The Walking Dead franchise, Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire, and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches into Cutting Edge’s growing catalog. With this addition, CEG now controls or manages more than 400,000 media music rights, which the company values at over $1 billion (USD). The new acquisition follows its $500 million debt refinancing in April 2023, arranged with a syndicate led by Fifth Third Bank and Northleaf Capital Partners, and builds on a previously announced joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year that granted CEG co-ownership of nearly a century’s worth of film and TV music. The AMC deal covers a decade of original programming, including Into the Badlands and Dark Winds, and extends to future seasons and spin-offs. That includes The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (premiering this month), Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat (slated for 2026), Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order (arriving in October), and an upcoming Immortal Universe series. AMC Networks will continue to use the music across its shows in perpetuity, while CEG integrates the works into its global licensing and media music business.

 

SYMPHONIC DISTRIBUTION EXPANDS TO PUERTO RICO, PARTNERS WITH HIGH GROUND MUSIC, AND HIRES VICTOR ROQUE: Symphonic Distribution has strengthened its footprint in Puerto Rico through a new alliance with High Ground Music (HGM), an independent label and artist development company founded by former Rimas Entertainment executives. Under the partnership, Symphonic will manage global distribution for HGM’s roster while supporting the label’s growth across the island. As part of its expansion, Symphonic has also appointed Victor Roque as Senior Director, A&R and Client Development, LATAM. Based in Puerto Rico and reporting to Greg Vinas, VP of LATAM Business Development, Roque will spearhead artist acquisition and catalog development throughout the Caribbean. To mark the collaboration and Roque’s arrival, Symphonic and HGM co-hosted a launch event on September 5 at Chic-Chorro / La Fábrica del Ritmo in San Juan. The evening featured live performances, guest appearances, and a preview of HGM’s first-year roadmap, with sponsorship from Chic Chorro / La Fábrica del Ritmo, Infusion Investments, Cerveza La H, Sombrero Media, Palm Exotic Rentals, and EWA. Roque brings more than a decade of industry experience, including his leadership of the marketing team and LaMusica app at Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS). As National Director of Marketing and Special Events, he oversaw radio promotions, experiential campaigns, and digital growth strategies while working with top on-air personalities such as Molusco. Beyond SBS, Roque runs his own company, Looking Pop, through which he has supported artists including Randy Nota Loca (Jowell & Randy), Lenny Tavárez, Rafa Pabón, Shadow Blow, and DJ John Elle, among others. 

 

CREATE MUSIC GROUP SIGNS MULTI-PLATINUM ARTIST OMARION: Create Music Group has signed Omarion, the multi-Platinum R&B singer, actor, and entrepreneur, into its roster. The announcement follows Omarion’s plans to reunite with B2K for a 2026 Reunion Tour, set to kick off next spring. Ahead of the tour, fans will also see him on the Season 7 premiere of the Emmy Award–winning Tamron Hall Show (September 8th), where he will deliver an exclusive performance. As part of his new partnership with Create, Omarion will release brand-new solo material later this year. “Omarion is more than an artist; he’s a visionary whose work has influenced a generation,” said Peter Madana, A&R Manager at Create Music Group. “His story, his sound, and his commitment to creative excellence make him a perfect fit for what we’re building at Create.” “Omarion has consistently broken new ground throughout his career,” said Wayne Hampton, Co-Founder of Create Music Group. “He represents the kind of iconic, forward-thinking artistry we champion here. We’re excited to help bring his next chapter to life in a way that’s both innovative and true to his legacy.”

 

BANDCAMP LAUNCHES CURATED SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE BANDCAMP CLUBS: Bandcamp has introduced Bandcamp Clubs, a new monthly subscription service designed to help fans discover music through curated communities. The service debuts with four themed clubs: Dance Around the World (global sounds), led by Jamz Supernova, Jazz-Ish Jazz Club (international jazz), curated by Tina Edwards, Kosmos Klub (electronica and beyond), hosted by Ajay Saggar, and The Hard Stuff (heavy music), guided by J Bennett. Subscribers receive a handpicked record each month, alongside an exclusive artist interview and access to a live, curator-led listening party. Unlike traditional streaming, Bandcamp’s subscribe-to-own model means every record selected becomes a permanent addition to the member’s personal Bandcamp library. Membership is priced at $13 (USD) per month, which includes the monthly record, interviews, and interactive sessions. Midway through each month, club curators will host live listening sessions, giving fans the chance to engage directly with both the music experts and fellow members. Bandcamp notes that additional clubs and curators will be introduced in the coming months, expanding the discovery experience even further.

 

MOTHER ARTISTS HIRES SARAH BESNARD AS BOOKER: The U.K.-based booking agency Mother Artists has brought on Sarah Besnard as a booker, where she will collaborate closely with Natasha Gregory on her roster and play a key role within the agency’s wider live booking team. The appointment comes as Mother Artists continue to drive strong live momentum for acts such as CMAT, Idles (management & live), King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, and Amy Macdonald. The independent management and booking company were founded by siblings Natasha Gregory and Mark Bent. Besnard brings experience from her previous roles as an agent at Earth Agency and ATC Live. She re-enters the industry following a three-and-a-half-year career break to raise her daughter. Natasha Gregory said, “We are so happy to have Sarah join the team. She’s kind, incredibly well respected, a great mum with her priorities and values in order, and is fiercely good at what she does. Hard work and discipline are a given to be great in this industry, but it’s the strength in character and core values that will continue to build the business at Mother Artists, and I for one am looking forward to learning from Sarah and supporting our clients in the best way we can.”

 

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