Deals
Mahogany, the global multi-platform music brand known for its YouTube channel Mahogany Sessions, has opened applications for its new Mahogany Music Fund, offering grants of up to £2500 for independent artists. The fund aims to support early-stage artists releasing music through Mahogany Songs, the company’s recently launched distribution arm. A panel including external industry experts will select up to ten initial grant recipients, who will receive both financial investment and strategic support from the Mahogany team. The initiative addresses a key challenge identified in a recent survey of Mahogany’s artist community. Dom Wallace, Mahogany’s Label & Marketing Manager, says, “It’s clear that financial support is a huge issue for the majority of independent artists – especially those from working class backgrounds and outside of London.” Artists can apply for funding, as well as to join Mahogany Songs, via the website here. Grant applications close on 27 Sep.
Private equity firm HarbourView Equity Partners has acquired various producer royalties and music publishing assets from record producer and songwriter Noel Zancanella. HarbourView, which was founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares in 2021 with backing from Apollo, and a recent debt financing round from KKR, now boasts a catalogue of over 29,000 songs across master recordings and musical compositions. Zancanella, known for his work with OneRepublic and other major artists, has credits on hits including ‘I Lived’, ‘Good Life’, and Maroon 5’s ‘Maps’. The transaction expands HarbourView’s portfolio, which includes assets from artists such as Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, and Jeremih.
Language learning app Duolingo has partnered with Sony Music to add recordings from the major’s roster of artists to its music course. The collaboration brings more than 60 songs from Sony Music artists like Dove Cameron, Hozier, Meghan Trainor and Whitney Houston to Duolingo’s curriculum, allowing learners to study music theory and practice skills using popular tracks. ‘Didn’t We Almost Have It Owl’, anyone? George Audi, Head Of Business Development at Duolingo, says, “We’re partnering with Sony Music, a leader in the music industry, to bring our learners a library of chart-topping songs they can learn to read and play.” Jessica Shaw, Senior Vice President of Sync Licensing at Sony Music, adds, “Partnering with Duolingo gives us the opportunity to bring our artists’ music to a new platform that promotes learning and cultural exchange”.
PULSE Records, the new label launched by PULSE Music Group and Concord, has signed recording artist Grace VanderWaal. VanderWaal first gained fame by winning ‘America’s Got Talent’ at age twelve. Now 20, her new single ‘Call It What You Want’ is set for release on 16 Aug, with an album to follow in spring next year. Ashley Calhoun, President of PULSE Music Group, says, “We look to sign artists that can have an impact on people’s lives, and artists that we can empower to do so. Grace has already well proven her ability to connect with fans, and, in this next chapter of her career trajectory, we are focused on channelling her own voice and vision to take things to the next level for her fans and to introduce her to new audiences.”
Secretly Distribution has announced a global distribution deal with iconic independent label Oh Boy Records. Founded in 1981 by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Prine, Oh Boy Records continues to be run by the Prine family and was named small record label of the year at the 2022 A2IM Libera Awards. The partnership will see Secretly Distribution handle Oh Boy’s catalogue, including Prine’s 2018 album ‘The Tree Of Forgiveness’, as well as upcoming releases from core artist Dan Reeder and recent signing Palmyra. Jody Whelan, Managing Partner at Oh Boy Records, says, “We are THRILLED to be able to join Secretly Distribution at this time of growth and expansion for both companies. We’ve long been fans of the artists they work with, but in getting to know their team it also quickly became clear that Secretly holds dear the same independent values; the values that have fueled Oh Boy since its inception in 1981.”
Streaming, Digital & Broadcast
Deezer and DAZN have announced a multi-year distribution partnership to offer music and sports streaming across multiple markets. The collaboration will launch in France, where DAZN recently acquired rights to broadcast Ligue 1 McDonald’s football. Users on both platforms will gain access to each other’s content, with plans to expand to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Ivana Kirkbride, Chief Commercial Officer at Deezer, says, “France is just the first step, and we can’t wait to see what this partnership will bring as we connect with DAZN’s users and invite them to experience music on Deezer.” The companies intend to collaborate on marketing initiatives and create co-branded sports and music experiences.
Chinese interactive technology company Kunlun Tech has unveiled Melodio and Mureka, two AI-powered music platforms. Melodio, described as the world’s first AI music streaming service, generates personalised music based on user prompts “tailored to their moods and scenarios”, while Mureka allows users to create and sell AI-generated music. Both platforms are powered by SkyMusic 2.0, Kunlun Tech’s proprietary AI music model. The company claims SkyMusic 2.0 can “process lyrics exceeding 500 words and produce six minute, 4400Hz dual-channel stereo AI songs”, and that it offers “significantly enhanced backing track quality and instrumentation richness, establishing itself as the new SOTA (State-of-the-Art) in AIGC music industry”.
An AI-generated song has entered the German pop charts for the first time. ‘Verknallt in einen Talahon’ (‘In Love With A Talahon’), which claims to be created entirely by AI including music, vocals and artwork, debuted at number 48. German producer Butterbro apparently crafted the track as a joke, but its use of ‘Talahon’ – a term sometimes employed as a racial slur by far-right groups – has sparked controversy. Butterbro has not commented publicly on the controversy or the AI platform used, though Udio.com is listed as a featured artist.
Live
IDLES have announced a special benefit concert for War Child, the charity that supports children affected by conflict. The post-punk band will headline the show, which is on 24 Aug at Bristol’s O2 Academy, with support from 86TVs, Zalizo and a DJ set from Boca 45, all hosted by comedian Stewart Lee. Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow, 16 Aug, at 10am with all proceeds going to the charity. Joe Talbot, IDLES frontman, says, “We are playing a show for War Child. This is our privilege. Please spend your money on the most innocent victims of these unforgivable crimes. Love x.”
Berlin club Wilde Renate has announced it will permanently close at the end of 2025 after eighteen years of operation. The venue, which opened in 2007 in an abandoned apartment block in Friedrichshain, says financial issues and problems extending its lease are the reason for the closure. The club’s operators say they were unable to reach an agreement with property owner Gijora Padovicz to extend their contract to occupy the space. “Despite intensive efforts to find an extension to the contract or alternative solutions, the club operators have to face the fact that Renate will no longer be able to continue in its current form,” says the club in a statement.
Eventbrite has announced another round of layoffs amid declining revenues revealed during its Q2 earnings release. The global ticketing marketplace will cut around 100 jobs as part of continuing cost-reduction measures, following a previous 8% staff reduction in February 2023. The company reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase to $84.6 million in Q2, but saw gross ticket sales decline 6% to $840 million compared to the same period last year. In a letter to shareholders, the company said, “In light of the reduced revenue outlook and in keeping with our commitment to financial discipline, we have taken decisive action to significantly reduce operating expenses.”
Other industry news & events
Keychange, the European initiative promoting gender equality in music, has secured EU funding for a new training programme and added BMG as its 700th pledge signatory. The programme, running from November 2024 to April 2027, will train 40 participants annually in 2025 and 2026, focusing on underrepresented artists and innovators who identify as women and gender-diverse individuals. Led by Reeperbahn Festival organiser RBX GmbH, the project involves partners from across Europe. Pierrot Raschdorff, Senior Director Global Corporate Responsibility at BMG, says, “Equality is not just a question of fairness; diverse teams are demonstrably more successful.”
Brighter Sound has announced the successful applicants for its ‘Creative Commissions’, which will showcase innovative new works celebrating Manchester’s underground music scene. The initiative will take place as part of the WOMEX 24 legacy programme, alongside the Worldwide Music Expo event in October. The three selected projects, each receiving a £5000 budget, include a collaboration between MCR4PAL and Radio Alhara, an audio-visual project by SCAPA, and a multimedia piece by composer Phoenix Rousiamanis. Jonas Roberts, Senior Programme Manager at Brighter Sound, says, “These three projects showcase a corner of Manchester’s thriving, cutting edge music cultures. They show us that the future of music is full of possibility through cross-medium collaboration and global connectivity in grassroots music scenes.”
Dave Stewart, co-founder of Eurythmics, has firmed up plans for his semi-autobiographical musical film titled ‘Ebony McQueen’. The project, which is now set to begin production in early 2025, will feature songs by Stewart and a musical score co-created with Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman. Set in Stewart’s hometown of Sunderland, the film will explore the cultural revolution of the late 1960s against the backdrop of social and economic challenges in Northeast England. Shekhar Kapur, BAFTA-winning filmmaker, is attached to direct the project, with Sharon D Clarke set to star in the titular role.
Releases & Tours
Bonobo has released his new single ‘Expander’.
JD REID has released his new single ‘what if?’. His new EP, ‘sometimes i wonder 002’, is out 12 Sep.
Hinds have released their new single ‘The Bed, The Room, The Rain And You’. Their new album ‘VIVA HINDS’ is out 6 Sep.
Kofi Stone has released his new single ‘King David Flow’.
Del Water Gap has released his new single ‘Purple Teeth, The Bravery’. His new album ‘I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet’ is out tomorrow.
Pearly Drops have released their new single ‘Lost In The Dark’.
The Blessed Madonna and Kylie Minogue have collaborated on new single ‘Edge Of Saturday Night’. The Blessed Madonna’s debut album ‘Godspeed’ is out 11 Oct.
Hot Moms Club has released her new single ‘Life Of The Party’. Her new EP ‘Happy You’re Here’ is out 13 Sep.
Humdrum have released their new single ‘See Through You’.
Timmy Skelly has released his new single ‘Breckenridge Lane’.
TAME THE ABYSS have shared their new single ‘This Is The Love’. Their new album ‘They Live Again!’ is out 8 Nov.
Make Friends have released their new single ‘I Lose, You Lose’. Their new EP ‘Loaded Fun’ is out 13 Sep.
Tapir! have released their new single ‘Hallelujah Bruv’.