DEALS

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Independent rock and metal label Better Noise Music has confirmed that it sold a 50% stake in its catalogue to Raven Capital in 2022. The deal was covered by a two year NDA, which has now lifted. “The sale of half of the Better Noise Music catalogue in 2022 means that many of our ambitions for acquisition and expansion are now possible”, says BNM CEO Dan Waite. “As hard rock and alternative deals are ending at other labels, Better Noise Music is becoming the natural home for those acts that want major label results with indie label sensibilities and attention to detail”.
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Avex USA – the US division of Japanese major label Avex – has announced a strategic investment into artist management firm S10 Entertainment – the joint venture between Brandon Silverstein and Roc Nation launched in 2017. “We’ve achieved a tremendous amount with Brandon in recent years, and over that time built a great trust between us”, says Avex USA CEO Naoki Osada. “We share a lot in common with our respective companies’ DNA, and extending our partnership was a natural and organic step”.

APPOINTMENTS 

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Music PR firm Huxley has hired Jordan Shepley as Associate Director of Publicity, Chisomo Phiri as Communications Manager, Tom O’Sullivan as a Team Assistant, and promoted Emily Connick to Junior Publicist. 

LEGAL

Former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy has urged a New York court to reject Axl Rose’s attempt to have her sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. She filed the case under the New York’s Adult Survivors Act last year, saying the Guns N Roses frontman violently assaulted her in a hotel room in 1989. In his motion to dismiss, he argues that what happened was “entirely consensual”. However, according to Law360, he is calling for the case to be thrown out on the grounds that he wasn’t properly served legal papers. 

MEDIA

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The Quietus has relaunched its website, expanding on its long-form music journalism offering. “This is all about renewing The Quietus website while retaining the things our readers tell us that they like most – great writing and being introduced to new music that they don’t find elsewhere”, says co-founder John Doran

GIGS & FESTIVALS

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Jimmy Eat World have announced UK shows in November this year, including their biggest London headline show to date the Alexandra Palace on 15 Nov. Tickets go on sale on Friday.

RELEASES

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Ghostface Killah has released the video for ‘Scar Tissue’ featuring Nas. The track is taken from his new album ‘Set The Tone’, which came out on Friday. 
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Role Model has released new single ‘Deeply Still In Love’. He will release his second album ‘Kansas Anymore’ on 19 Jul.