Publishing Briefs: Hal Leonard Joins With Muse Group, ‘Houdini’ Co-Writer Signs UMPG Admin Deal

Kristin Robinson
·3 min read
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Hal Leonard has combined with Muse Group, which is home to digital music tools like MuseScore, Ultimate Guitar and Audacity. Hal Leonard is known as one of the world’s leading brands in sheet music and music education materials. As part of the deal, the two brands will retain their respective headquarters in the USA and Cyprus and their distinct operations. The deal was supported by Francisco Partners, an investor who recently purchased Kobalt and AMRA and has also invested in Native Instruments, iZotope, JKBX and more. Now, musicians can look forward to digitized and interactive formats of Hal Leonard’s arrangements and content via Muse platforms.

Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Danny L Harle to a global publishing administrative agreement. News of the deal comes just after the release of “Houdini” by Dua Lipa, which he co-wrote and co-produced alongside Kevin Parker, Dua Lipa, TK. He is also a trusted collaborator of Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, Flume, Clairo, Rina Sawayama, PinkPantheress, Lil Uzi Vert, Nile Rogers, Elton John, Shygirl and more, and is up for his first Grammy this year for his contributions to Desire I Want To Turn Into You by Polachek.

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Pulse Music Group has joined with Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift, Weezer, Celine Dion, Nas, Panic! At the Disco, John Legend, Keith Urban) to launch Supermoon Songs. A publishing joint venture, Pulse co-CEO Scott Cutler and vp a&r Annie Aberle played key roles in facilitating the partnership. Wilson’s manager Jim Grant and business partner Rick Markowitz are also co-founders with Dan in Supermoon Songs. The first signing is artist Paul Dally.

Reservoir and Mushroom Music have jointly signed grentperez to a global publishing deal, including his full catalog and future works. Reservoir will work collaboratively with the leading Australia/New Zealand music publishing on all creative and administrative aspects of grentperez’s writing career.

Primary Wave has acquired the master royalties and writer’s share of publishing royalties from Marillion’s Derek “Fish” Dick in a new deal. Best known for 80s hits like “Kayleigh,” “Lavender” and “Incommunicado,” dick was the band’s primary singer and lyricist.

Jody Williams Songs and Warner Chappell Music have jointly signed Driver Williams to a publishing agreement. A songwriter for Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Jackson Dean and others, Williams is also a talented guitarist, holding the position of Church’s lead guitarist since 2005.

Kobalt has signed New Zealand artist and producer 9lives to a global publishing administration deal, including sync and creative services for his existing catalog and future releases. A favorite of artists like Trippie Redd, Rico Nasty, JELEEL!, and more, his production has earned him two No. 1s on Spotify’s viral songs chart.

Universal Music Publishing Group has formed a joint venture with DnB Allstars, a London-based label and events company that specializes in drum and bass music. Notable artists to emerge from DnB Allstars include Vibe Chemistry and Alcemist, and the new JV will include writers like Grace Barton, Elipsa, and Tsuki.

Next Era Music Publishing will now partner with Downtown Music Publishing to streamline the collection and administration of its clients. Representing 45 songwriters and over 7000 titles, Next Era’s catalog will use Downtown for admin globally, apart from Korea and China.

Warner Chappell Music has signed Conexión Divina (Liz Trujillo, Sandra Calixto, and Ashlee Valenzuela), a Gen Z all-female sierreño group, to a global publishing agreement. The news comes just after Conexión Divina’s nomination for Best New Artist at the 2023 Latin Grammy awards.

Brill Building Publishing has signed artist and songwriter Brando to a co-publishing agreement. An independent publishing outfit out of Los Angeles, helmed by executive Benjamin Groff, Brill Building’s signees are administered through Kobalt.

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