Alternative rock band Spin Doctors have partnered with independent music publisher Primary Wave Music on various aspects of their music career, including music publishing and artist royalties.
The partnership extends to the administration of the band’s upcoming album, slated for release later this year. Additionally, according to the announcement, the Spin Doctors will gain access to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure, encompassing digital strategy, licensing opportunities, film & TV placements, and more.
“Spin Doctors have labored our entire career to create a catalog of super high caliber songs and we are absolutely certain it’s found the perfect partner to represent our catalog and continue to get our music out to the next generation and beyond,” the band said.
The news comes as the band marks more than 30 years in the music industry. Over the course of their career, they have sold over 12 million albums worldwide and captivated audiences with live performances exceeding 2,000 shows.
They have shared the stage with music giants like The Rolling Stones, Blues Traveler and Phish, and have performed at Woodstock, Glastonbury and other festivals, landed a cover story in Rolling Stone magazine, and featured as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
“Spin Doctors have labored our entire career to create a catalog of super high caliber songs and we are absolutely certain it’s found the perfect partner to represent our catalog and continue to get our music out to the next generation and beyond.”
Spin Doctors
The Spin Doctors’ catalog boasts a number of hits including Two Princes, Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong, Jimmy Olsen’s Blues, What Time Is It?, Cleopatra’s Cat, and You Let Your Heart Go Too Fast.
The band’s 1991 debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite, sold over five million copies in the US alone and achieved triple-platinum status. Two Princes, from the album, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.
Samantha Rhulen, Senior Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs at Primary Wave, said: “In the early 90s, during my law school days, I saw Spin Doctors at Nightingales multiple times. Never could I have imagined that 30 years later, I would be overseeing our partnership with the band here at Primary Wave. It has brought back a ton of memories for me, and I am thrilled they are now part of the PW family.”
“In the early 90s, during my law school days, I saw Spin Doctors at Nightingales multiple times. Never could I have imagined that 30 years later, I would be overseeing our partnership with the band here at Primary Wave.”
Samantha Rhulen, Primary Wave Music
The Spin Doctors’ story began in 1988 in New York City. Signed to Epic Records/Sony Music by A&R executive Frankie LaRocka in 1990, the band released their debut EP Up For Grabs, a live recording captured at Wetlands in Lower Manhattan, in January 1991. Their full-length debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite, followed in August 1991, co-produced by Frank Aversa, Peter Denenberg, and Frankie LaRocka.
The band continued their creative journey throughout the 90s, releasing albums like Turn It Upside Down (1994) and You’ve Got to Believe in Something (1996). Their musical exploration continued with subsequent albums like Here Comes The Bride (1999), Nice Talk to Me (2005), and If the River Was Whiskey (2013).
The partnership marks the latest for Primary Wave after the company struck a multi-million-dollar music rights deal with Neil Finn, founding member of Crowded House, in April. That same month, US singer, songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka sold a stake in his music publishing and master recording rights to Primary Wave for an undisclosed amount.
In February, Primary Wave signed a partnership with Y.M.C.A hitmakers Village People, covering the group’s brand, as well as name & likeness rights, plus master recordings and publishing assets.
Music Business Worldwide
