Music Industry Moves: Brent Smith Joins Wasserman Music

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorTravis Barker has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Warner Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, the company announced Thursday (July 22).

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy Award nominee Phillipa Soo has joined the cast of the AppleTV+ series Shining Girls, based on the 2013 best-selling novel by Lauren Beukes, in a series regular role. Soo will portray the intelligent and sure-footed Jin-Sook who works in the research department at the Adler planetarium.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAbby Quinn will star in an upcoming Blumhouse and Epix movie set in Nashville opposite Shiloh Fernandez and Joshua Leonard. They join the previously announced Alexxis Lemire and Katey Sagal in the film, which has the working title of “Tattered Hearts.” The movie centers on a promising up-and-coming country duo who seek out the secluded mansion of their idol (Sagal), a former country music star and “Music City” royalty turned recluse.

Pete Tong is set to receive the prestigious annual Music Industry Trusts Award at a ceremony later this year.The award will be given to Tong at a gala ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on November 1 in aid of the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins.Speaking of receiving the award, which is now in its 30th year, Tong said: “It is a huge honour to be given the MITS Award and to have the opportunity to highlight two exceptional charities, The BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins.“The past year

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOak View Group — the venue-development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries founded by Irving Azoff and Tim Lieweke — has announced a long-term partnership with Ticketmaster, the Live Nation-owned largest ticketing company in the world, covering six of OVG’s new arenas.

Sega’s iconic Mega Drive console can now pick up a line of exclusive sportswear designed in collaboration with independent trainer label Lavair.The line, which launches on July 23 directly from Lavair, will be split into two.

coronavirus pandemic revenues by the year 2025, according to a new forecast.Live music is set to return without restrictions in England on Monday (July 19) following the UK government’s decision to go ahead with lifting the majority of coronavirus-enforced rules in the country.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorRichard Foster has been pro­moted to vice president, marketing at Epic Records, it was announced by Dave Bell, executive VP and head of marketing, to whom Foster reports.The New York-based Foster, who joined the Sony Music label in July 2019, is tasked with all digital marketing initiatives including podcasts, website design and data analysis, in addition to managing marketing budgets and liaising with the creative team.Said Bell: “Rich’s limitless creativity and

Vince Staples has spoken about how the music industry “monetises people’s struggles” and how that affects the image rappers try to sell.The rapper was asked about artists like Tekashi 6ix9ine and YNW Melly, who have used gang affiliation and songs about murder respectively to build their images.“This is a business where we monetise people’s struggles, pain, death and murder,” Staples told the Independent.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSinger-songwriter Chris Isaak has partnered with Primary Wave in a deal that sees the publishing company acquiring a 50% stake in his master recordings and signing with the legendary Sun Records for future recordings (which was recently acquired by Primary Wave).

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCreative Artists Agency announced that it has signed all six members of New Edition: Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill. The company will represent the group in all areas worldwide, including touring, theatre, literature, TV/film, production, composing and others.

Annie Mac has said that women in prominent roles within the music industry “should be a given, not an anomaly”.The DJ and presenter will leave BBC Radio 1 on July 30 after 17 years at the station, with Clara Amfo set to take over the weeknight Future Sounds show.Speaking to the Radio Times about her decision to step down (via The Guardian), Mac explained: “I feel annoyed being grateful that we have a female breakfast show presenter on Radio 2 [Zoe Ball] or 6 Music [Lauren Laverne].“We shouldn’t

the government’s proposed full easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England from July 19.Prime Minister Boris Johnson today (July 5) announced details for the fourth and final stage of unlocking in England later this month, which is set to be confirmed next Monday (July 5) after a data review.

Jehnny Beth has written about ongoing mental health issues in the music industry and her hopes for younger artists to resist “age-old patriarchal abuse”.The Savages frontwoman and soloist, who last week released a collaborative album with Primal Scream‘s Bobby Gillespie, posted a video of herself holding a burning stick as a symbol of shining “a light” on the state of the industry.“Today I want to shine a light on mental health issues in the music industry, because it doesn’t happen just in pop

EXCLUSIVE: Industry and Skins star Freya Mavor has joined the cast of UK thriller Freegard, which is filming in London.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMotown Records announced that Brian Nolan has been appointed executive vice president of the label and executive VP of marketing, effective immediately. According to the announcement, in this new role, Nolan joins the label’s executive leadership team and will help guide the company as well as oversee Motown’s marketing teams and initiatives.

coronavirus.As reported by Music Week, 22 MPs from across the main political parties have come together to outline the support needed by the music industry, which has been significantly impacted by ongoing COVID-related restrictions.Signing a Commons motion, the MPs said that many freelance and self-employed workers have been without work since the first national lockdown began back in March 2020.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorYoung Thug has landed a major role in the musical dramedy “Throw It Back” — appearing in the movie and overseeing its soundtrack as executive producer. Directed by Shadae Lamar Smith from a script written with Rochée Jeffrey, the film stars Shahadi Wright Joseph and will feature Tiffany Haddish in a supporting role.

Brexit negotiator Lord Frost used a government committee hearing today (Tuesday June 29) to hit back at Elton John over his claims around the European touring fiasco, before coming under fire himself for his “inaction” over the situation.Sir Elton has been very vocal over the government jeopardising the future of touring for the UK artists, after the Brexit deal secured with the EU failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.