PUB CRAWLING: FOREIGN SMOKES
A meme going around compared the enormous lists of writers on a new superstar release to the credits on several albums by the late, lamented Prince: Dude wrote, played, sang, produced and, for all we know, catered every damn track on a lot of his finest albums. As a writer, he was extraterrestrial in his greatness, as you know not only from the hits he had as an artist but also the ones he penned for Sinead, Chaka, Bangles, Sheila, Sophie, et al. He was also vigorously in control of his work and career, so of course his songs are through NPG Publishing. Nothing compares 2 him.
Signings lightning round: UMPG inks Joe Jonas, whose DNCE has a smash with “Cake by the Ocean” (Republic). SONGS nails down Desiigner after a fierce throwdown with other pubcos; the G.O.O.D./Def Jam rapper’s “Panda” is a bona fide monster. Sony/ATV extends its 20-year relationship with hit machine Rob Thomas. Whew.
UMPG writer Jimmy Napes took Songwriter and Song of the Year honors (for the single “I’m Not the Only One” by Capitol’s Sam Smith) at the SESAC Pop Awards for the second year in a row last week. UMPG also once again took Publisher of the Year honors, as well as awards for songs by Mumford & Sons, AlunaGeorge, Oscar Holter, Disclosure, Elvin Smith and Tourist. Pubco prexy Evan Lamberg invited Jimmy, whose shelves are already groaning with Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe trophies, to read the four questions at the Lamberg family seder.
Speaking of Team UMPG and assorted laurels, they're all pretty geeked about writer/artist Nick Jonas getting the Songwriters Hall of Fame Starlight Award. It's a pretty substantial recognition of the guy's bona fides as a tunesmith. More about this later.
Have you been checking out our "Whose Song Is It Anyway?" features on the site? The most recent tracked some of the writers and producers on Beyoncé's monster Lemonade. Check it out. Who knew Bey worked with Doc Pomus?
Richard Manners, an eminent figure on the British pub scene (and, for all we know, British pubs), has departed the top spot at Warner/Chappell U.K. Pubco overlord Big Jon Platt is currently selecting a successor, and also sampling an array of scones.
Last week I dropped in on BMG’s shindig (at a lavishly appointed Hollywood hills house) held in tandem with its International Writers Services Conference, various songwriting bootcamps and whatnot. Unlike most L.A. parties, the air was thicker with unfiltered cigarettes and lively conversation in assorted European languages than pot smoke and Pilates patter. Writers, artists, producers and execs from all over the globe were there, and it was a powerful illustration of what corporate terms like “global synergy” make boring: This international coterie was probably going to cook up a big batch of hit music, thanks to the cross-pollination and esprit de corps fostered by the company.
Among the evening’s hosts were EVP of Writer Services Thomas Scherer, whose crushing handshake and spirited talk about trying to play drums like Stewart Copeland set a decidedly affable tone, and Head of Creative Teams U.S. Zach Katz, who is one smart motherfucker. Thanks also to Alison Voetsch for making a local with only a few rusty phrases in Spanish feel welcome.
Speaking of hands across the water, Marty Bandier’s Sony/ATV has closed a European deal with SoundCloud, helping to clear the path for the digital firm’s pending sub service globally.
SONGS’ Ron Perry jumped onstage with Post Malone at Coachella to play guitar on a Nirvana cover. Is it time for an intervention? Just asking.
Check out UMPG writer Ryan Hurd. He is good.
Our forthcoming New & Developing Artists issue will offer capsule introductions to the next acts likely to break. Are your singer/songwriters represented? Time is ridiculously short. Act now.
Let’s dish songs or business or bourbon or weed or whatever: [email protected]...
