The FYI Bulletin: Oct.20 , 2022

By David Farrell

Paquin Artists Agency (PAA) has announced an alliance with Blue Crane Agency Founder/Agent, Tao-Ming Lau that is designed to expand the latter’s industry profile by strengthening artist relations, sharing resources, and cultivating community on an international scale. BCA’s mission statement is to “prioritize women, artists of colour, and LGBTQ2S+ musicians in North America and abroad.”

Lau will continue to pursue her ancillary activities, including panels, workshops, advocacy work, curatorial and programming initiatives, such as special events, festivals and showcases under the Blue Crane wing.
 
Since 2020, PAA has seen exponential growth among its team of agents with the addition of Vinny Cinquemani, Vesna Pejkovic, Andre Guerette and Jason Furman. PAA, Canada’s largest booking agency’s latest signings include The Offspring, Jann Arden, Johnny Reid, Simple Plan and Big Wreck.

– SX Works Global Publisher Services (SX Works) reports a new partnership with Realsongs, an independently owned and operated music publishing company, to collect royalties for all compositions in the extensive catalogue of musical works of acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren in the US and Canada.

In her extraordinary songwriting career, Warren has written chart-topping hits for Aerosmith, Beyonce, Paloma Faith, Toni Braxton, Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Celine Dion. Among her many accomplishments, Warren will be the first songwriter to receive an Honorary Oscar to be presented at the Academy’s 13th Governors Awards in November. She has received 13 Academy Award nominations, a Grammy, two Golden Globe Awards, and the prestigious 2020 Polar Music Prize. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.

SX Works is SoundExchange’s integrated global publisher services administration and licensing division and Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency’s (CMRRA) parent company.

– Six Shooter has signed Mauvey to its management arm led by President Helen Britton and artist manager Akeem Herbert. The Guyanese-born, Brit-raised rhythmic pop artist is signed to Vancouver-based 604 Records.

– Bill King’s latest album, Paradise Blue, is earning extraordinarily strong praise from broadcasters across the US, Australia, Germany, France, Denmark, and Canada. By example Villa Bota Radio in Brugge, Belgium, waxes “Solo piano doesn't get much airspace on my show, but this album asks ‘why not?’ very clearly.”

And from the piano project, Debussy in Paris…

– Christopher Ward (distributed by Warner Canada) re-releases his 1978 debut album Spark of Desire tomorrow (Oct. 21) which is currently unavailable on streaming services.  He is working with his co-writer from that album Stephen Stohn on this release.

Ward was originally signed by Jim “Soupy” Campbell. The album was produced by Jack Richardson and features The Brecker Brothers, Steve Ferrone, Paul Hoffert, Brian Russell, Danny McBride, Moe Koffman, Russ Little, Dick Armin, Bill Misener, Sharon Lee Williams, Laurie Bower, and the aforementioned Jim Campbell.

From that album…

– According to Luminate chart data, The Weeknd’s The Highlights is in its 5^th week atop the Canadian Billboard Albums chart. No small accomplishment indeed!

– D-Box tech, the publicly traded haptic motion technology company based in Longueuil, Quebec, has announced the appointment of Sébastien Boire-Lavigne as Vice-President, Technology. Prior to that, Lavigne served as COO at Cognibox and worked for 20+ years at XMedius Solutions. Also named is Karen Mendoza who will now serve as VP, Sales for commercial and residential markets.

– London’s FT digs into the much-discussed state of Hipgnosis Song Fund debt-funded share buyback. It’s a fascinating story.