What does a songwriter really want from their relationship with a publisher?
Well, the odd chunky paycheck doesn’t hurt, obviously.
But over and above that, they want to know their pubco is working tirelessly on their behalf – and minimizing the inevitable grind of a professional existence.
That’s certainly the case according to songwriter Jamie Hartman, anyway – who has just renewed his global publishing deal with New York-born indie Reservoir.
Hartman is having a big year.
He’s just been nominated for an A&R Award for Songwriter Of The Year in London, having co-penned Rag’N’Bone Man’s huge international hit, ‘Human’ – which has topped iTunes charts in 33 territories and hit No.1 on official charts in over a dozen countries.
“Reservoir are my guys and I’m thrilled that we are going to continue working together.”
Jamie Hartman (pictured)
Hartman also co-wrote Miriam Bryant’s 4x-Platinum single ‘Black Car’ which picked up the Swedish P3 Gold 2017 Song of the Year Award, and co-wrote, produced, and mixed Mads Langer’s Platinum-selling ‘3AM’, which was the biggest radio single of 2016 in Langer’s home territory of Denmark.
Furthermore, in the last year alone, Hartman has co-written singles for artists including Kygo (‘Stargazing’), Jennifer Hudson (‘Remember Me’), Leon (‘I Believe In Us’), JP Cooper (‘Passport Home’) and Kacy Hill (‘Lion’).
He’s been signed to Reservoir since the company’s 2012 acquisition of UK publisher Reverb Music.
Based out of his recording studio at the Village Recorder in Los Angeles, the British-born writer’s A&R is handled by Reservoir/Reverb Managing Director Annette Barrett in London, with day-to-day support from Reservoir SVP of Creative and A&R Donna Caseine in Los Angeles.
Said Hartman, “I’ve always been a late starter. It’s taken me 20 plus years in the music business to realize the importance of following your gut. As in life. Your gut tells you so much, if you listen carefully and learn to follow the signs.
“Mine said to seek out artists and co-writers who inspire me to do my very best, but also to find the right team around me that feel and work in the same way – from management through to publishers and our various label collaborators and friends.
“To that end I knew that being with Annette, Golnar, Rell, Donna and the rest of the Reservoir team was 100% the right thing for me. Because life is hard enough without having to stress about whether your team ‘gets it’, does their job, follows their instinct, and has your back. When they do, sharing successes with them make those moments far, far more rewarding.
“Reservoir are my guys and I’m thrilled that we are going to continue working together.”
Annette Barrett, who originally signed Hartman to a publishing deal in 2002, said: “I am delighted we are continuing our longstanding working relationship with Jamie which has gone from strength to strength over the years – long may it continue.
“we have just touched the tip of the iceberg with Jamie’s talent, and I know there are many more amazing songs to come.”
Annette Barrett
“I believe even with all our success to date we have just touched the tip of the iceberg with Jamie’s talent, and I know there are many more amazing songs to come.”
In Hartman’s twenty-plus-year career, he has worked with talent such as Christina Aguilera, Andy Grammar, Marlon Roudette, James Bay, Conrad Sewell, Kylie Minogue and Anastacia.
His collaborations have racked up over one billion streams worldwide, and earned BRIT Awards, Aria Awards, Grammy nominations, and more.
Hartman is a performer in his own right as the front man of pop-rock band Ben’s Brother, whose 2007 single, “Let Me Out” earned him an Ivor Novello nomination for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.Music Business Worldwide
