When Martin Bandier says it’s “business as usual” as Sony/ATV amongst sell-off rumours, he’s not fibbing.
While some songwriters and their managers might be understandably spooked by last week’s reports regarding Sony’s buy-sell clause with the Jackson estate, the publisher has landed a highly competitve signing.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing has inked a deal with Norwegian DJ, songwriter and producer Kygo on a worldwide deal.
In just the past 12 months Kygo has sold more than 5 million singles, been streamed more than 715 million times as an artist on Spotify and is on target to top 1 billion streams on the service before the end of the year.
The Sony/ATV agreement comes as Kygo’s third single, Here For You” featuring Ella Henderson, becomes his latest UK Top 20 entry.
In the US last month it debuted at No.12 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart with 1 million streams, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
“We’re delighted to join the Sony/ATV family. WE couldn’t have made a better choice.”
Myles Shear, manager
In the same week his remix of fellow Norwegian act a-ha’s classic “Take On Me” entered the chart at No. 25.
Born Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, Kygo first gained a global reputation with a series of remixes for acts including Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, The xx and Ed Sheeran.
His remix of Sheeran track I See Fire was played more than 90 million times on YouTube and streamed 275 million times on Spotify.
Sony/ATV UK Managing Director and President of European Creative Guy Moot said: “We’re really excited to be part of Kygo’s team along with his manager Myles Shears and Sony Music and Ultra.
“Not only is he at the forefront of electronic music right now, he is a true musical talent and writing force of the future.”
Sony/ATV Joint Head of A&R, UK and VP International David Ventura said: “We are thrilled to be working with Kygo and Myles who have given us their confidence after months of us working together.
“I am simply amazed by Myles’ drive. It is very inspiring to work with someone like him who surely represents the new generation of managers.”
Kygo’s manager Myles Shear said: “Kyrre and I are extremely excited to become the latest addition to the Sony/ATV family. We are constantly always looking to be stronger as a team and feel we couldn’t have made a better choice.
“We’ve already hit the ground on some incredible new projects and can’t wait to see what’s to come.”
“[Kygo] embraces the meaning of what being a songwriter means.”
David Ventura, Sony/ATV
Kygo’s first original single “Firestone” featuring Conrad Sewell was released at the end of 2014 and peaked at No. 8 on the Official UK Singles Chart as well as reaching the top five in a number of other territories, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.
It topped the singles chart back home in Norway where it became the fastest No. 1 to date there on Spotify until his own “Stole The Show” then set a new record. “Firestone” made the Australian Top 10 and Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Top 20 in the US.
He has since achieved further hits in his own right with “Stole The Show” (featuring Parson James), “Nothing Left” (featuring Will Heard) and “Here For You” (featuring Ella Henderson) and remixed tracks for acts such as Coldplay, The Weeknd, M83 and Of Monsters and Men.
Ventura added: “Kyrre is a unique songwriter, producer and pianist, which certainly opens the door wide for collaborations. He embraces the meaning of what being a songwriter means and the future looks extremely exciting. We are thrilled.”
Kygo is currently working on finishing his debut album, which is expected to be released in early 2016.Music Business Worldwide
