One of the most hotly-tipped new bands in the world, Australia’s DMA’s, have signed to independent labels globally for their debut LP, MBW understands – rejecting advances in excess of US $1m from major labels.
Sources tell us that the six-piece group have inked album deals with Matt Gudinski’s I OH YOU label in their homeland, Mom + Pop in the US and Korda Marshall’s Infectious for the rest of the world.
All three major labels are understood to have been interested in the band at some stage, with at least one firm seven-figure monetary offer.
DMA’s, who boast a trio of frontmen/songwriters – Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O’Dell – have earned plaudits from the likes of Triple J, NME, XFM and Radio 1 for their debut release Delete.
The track has clocked up more than 250,000 YouTube views.
A debut album is expected to be released in August/September, after the group play a string of festival dates in the summer.
When contacted by MBW, Korda Marshall wouldn’t be drawn on details of the competitive signing, but confirmed that the band had joined Infectious – home of Alt-J, Drenge and Local Natives.
“This is one of the most important bands I’ve ever signed,” he told MBW. “They are wonderful live and have huge songs. They sound like every brilliant Manchester band you’ve ever heard rolled into one.”
Infectious is now a frontline label at BMG, which typically offers artists 75% of royalties as part of its artist services strategy.Music Business Worldwide
