UMG GASSES UP WITH PETROL TO EXPAND INXS BRAND

UMG and Australia’s Petrol Records have entered into a joint venture that will focus on developing additional opportunities around INXS, which is signed to Petrol outside of North America.

UMG, which is producing a feature-length documentary on the life of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, formed the JV with the plan of generating new audio releases as well as projects including additional films, theatrical productions, live events and fan conventions, according to the Tuesday release. As part of the agreement, UMG will become an investor in Petrol. a ground breaking Australian independent label founded 15 years ago by

Chris Murphy, who founded the indie label in 2001, signed INXS in 2009 and simultaneously hatched his “Band to a Brand” strategy, creating various projects and events designed to re-engage fans and expand the band’s audience. Said strategy included the 2014 INXS TV mini-series Never Tear Us Apart, which set viewing records in Australia. Murphy was the show’s executive producer.

Said UMG ruler Sir Lucian Grainge, “I'm thrilled to be building on our special and long term relationship with Chris Murphy and INXS. We look forward to developing exciting projects that will create new immersive experiences for fans around the globe to engage with the music from one of the world’s most enduring bands.”

Murphy focused on the changing music biz in his statement. “Once a upon time, the music business was a very simple [industry] to be involved in: find an artist, record and release, then do a tour,” he said. “These days we operate within a very complex entertainment industry where many are at odds with this new paradigm. Sir Lucian and his team are on the money and focused for the future, so it is my complete delight to be working with him and his vision. From musicals to movies, we have the future of music covered together.”