Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Claire Boucher aka Grimes via Rough Customer – its new JV with Grammy-winning songwriter Jack Antonoff.
The worldwide agreement includes the songs on Grimes’ fourth studio album Art Angels, which she wrote and produced entirely herself.
The record became her first Top 40 hit in the U.S. and U.K. following its release last November.
The Sony/ATV deal solidifies Grimes’ working relationship with Grammy Song of the Year winner Jack Antonoff, who has written with artists including Taylor Swift, Sara Bareilles and Christina Perri.
Back in the spring Grimes collaborated with Antonoff’s band Bleachers on a song, Entropy, from the GIRLS soundtrack.
Rough Customer primarily focuses on growing Antonoff’s team of collaborators and partnering with artists.
Sony/ATV Senior Vice-President, Creative Jennifer Knoepfle said: “Grimes is a rare and special talent and we are so pleased that she has chosen Rough Customer and Sony/ATV as her publisher.
“An accomplished songwriter, producer and visual artist, she is truly a triple threat and a phenomenal addition to the Sony/ATV Rough Customer family.”
“Claire is one of my all-time favourite artists and a wonderful person.”
Jack Antonoff, Rough Customer
Jack Antonoff said: “I wanted to start a publishing company to work with friends who are making important work. It really couldn’t be more special to start things with Claire.
“She’s one of my all-time favorite artists and a wonderful person. Her work matters on the highest level and I feel deeply proud to know her, have worked with her and now be involves here as well.”
Jack Antonoff’s manager/partner Tyler Childs said: “Claire is one of the preeminent artists of this generation. She continues to push boundaries, both musically and visually. We’re so honored that she chose to work with us and couldn’t imagine a better first partnership for Rough Customer.”
Grimes’ third record, Visions, was her first for celebrated indie label 4AD.
Her first album to place on the U.S. and U.K. albums charts, Visions was nominated for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize and won the Juno award for Best Electronic Album in 2012.
After a summer 2015 tour supporting Lana Del Rey, 4AD released Grimes’ fourth album Art Angels in November.
In addition to writing and producing the entirety of the album, Grimes also created the album’s artwork and directed a video for lead single “Flesh Without Blood”.
The album reached the Canadian Top 20 and U.S. and U.K. Top 40 as well as topping Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart.
Attaining a score of 89 on review aggregation site Metacritic, Art Angels has also dominated critics’ year-end lists, being named album of the year by the NME, Stereogum, and Gorilla Vs. Bear.Music Business Worldwide
