This is Signed, a new biweekly column that rounds up artist signings at labels, agencies, management companies and more.
Paris Hilton signed with management company YMU, where she will be represented under the recently formed FM Group banner — a new division of YMU Music led by FM president Alex Frankel and FM COO Chris Maher. The company will work with Hilton on her music business globally, including a new album that will mark her first since 2006’s Paris.
Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, best known for his decades-long collaboration with legendary Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki, signed with Deutsche Grammophon. The deal encompasses the full scope of Hisaishi’s career as composer, conductor and pianist. His first album on the label — A Symphonic Celebration, slated for release on June 30 — contains symphonic arrangements of his original soundtracks for Studio Ghibli films including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro. All tracks on the album were recorded in London by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hisaishi.
Stockholm-based artist Waterbaby signed to Sub Pop Records globally. On March 29, she released her new single, “Airforce blue,” on the label. She is represented by managers Phil Jones and MNRK in the United Kingdom and Johan Calissendorff in Sweden as well as agent Tom Windish at Wasserman.
Nashville indie-pop singer-songwriter MORGXN signed to Nettwerk, which will release his new single, “Beacon,” on Friday. He is managed by Ron Shapiro.
MNJR, a new full-service artist and label management group launched in Nashville by Mike Reynolds and Norman Jacob, signed country band The Mavericks as well as the group’s frontman, Raul Malo, for his solo projects. Also signing with the company are alt-country group 49 Winchester and emerging artist McKinley James. The Mavericks and Malo release music through their own imprint, Mono Mundo Recordings, in partnership with Thirty Tigers; they’re booked by Clint Wiley at CAA in the United States, Nick Meinema at AEC in Canada and Nigel Hassler at CAA in other territories. 49 Winchester are on New West Records and represented by Jacob Lapidus and Will Scott at CAA for the United States and Lizzie Ford at CAA internationally. James is represented by Clint Wiley at CAA in the United States, Tom Brandt at Brando Bookings for the United Kingdom and Europe and Juan Diego at El Mico Entertainment for Spain.
Appalachian country-folk singer-songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin signed with Big Loud Records. Godwin is managed by Arthur Penhallow Jr. and Reed Turner at True Grit Management.
Producer-artist Michaël Brun (J Balvin, Ed Sheeran) signed to Astralwerks, which recently released his song “Clueless” featuring Oxlade; more music is on the way in 2023. Brun is represented by manager Ardie Farhadieh at LoyalT Management and agent Scott Schreiber at UTA.
Brazilian singer-songwriter Any Gabrielly signed to Republic Records. Formerly a member of the Simon Fuller-assembled pop group Now United, Gabrielly is managed by Fuller at XIX Entertainment.
Moroccan-American singer-songwriter Dounia signed a global distribution deal with ADA Worldwide and will soon begin releasing new singles. She is managed by Matt Geffen, Jamil Davis and Matt Bauerschmidt at The Revels Group, Carron Mitchell at Nixon Peadoby and Julie Greenberg at CAA.
“Zamrock” legends WITCH signed with Desert Daze Sound, a new record label launched by Southern California music festival Desert Daze in partnership with Partisan Records. The label will release Zango, the group’s first album in nearly 40 years, on June 2. WITCH is represented by manager Gio Arlotta and agents Joey Massa at Space Agency in the United States and Polly Miles at FMLY Agency in the United Kingdom and Europe.
TAG Music, a new record label founded by artist-turned-executive Gabe Saporta (Cobra Starship, Midtown), signed Los Angeles-based singer Sophie Powers and emo alt-rock artist Jules Is Dead under a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records. The label released Powers’ new single “Nosebleed” on March 31 and will release Jules Is Dead’s single “Red is My Favorite Color” later this month.
ONErpm Nashville announced a pair of signings: country singer-songwriter William Michael Morgan (“I Met a Girl”), who will release his Keith Stegall-produced EP on the label later this year; and singer-songwriter (and former The Voice contestant) Jesslee, whose debut single, “Unmet You,” is out now. Morgan is managed by Joe Carter and Mike Taliaferro at Carter and Company while his booking is handled by The Kinkead Entertainment Agency; Jesslee is represented by Black Label Nash Entertainment Group for both management and booking.
Hannah Georgas signed to Lucy Rose‘s Real Kind Records, which released her latest single, “This Too Shall Pass.” Georgas is managed by Jen Long, while her booking is handled by Todd Walker at Outer/Most in the United States, Julien Paquin at Paquin Agency in Canada and Colin Keenan at ATC Live in the rest of Europe.
Husband-and-wife country duo The Dryes — comprised of Katelyn and Derek Drye — signed with Wasserman Music for global representation. Formerly contestants on The Voice, the duo is managed by Carrie Lelwica.
Related
Country singer Georgette Jones — daughter of country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette — signed an artist management deal with Dr. Gerald Murray at Gerald Murray Music; Murray previously managed her father. Jones also signed with PLA Media for public relations.
African producer Dr. Wang signed with independent label KSR Group, which will release his new single, “Love Takes Me Higher” with Josh X, on April 21. Hailing from the Ivory Coast, Wang has produced for artists including Yannick Noah and Aya Nakamura.
