London-based independent entertainment company The Other Songs has entered into a publishing partnership with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).
The news of the partnership comes at the same time as the signing of British singer/songwriter The Other Songs Bruno Major – is named as the “first star signing” under the new agreement with UMPG.
Co-founded in 2018 by brothers Alastair and Billy Webber (formerly of Island Records and Warner Records), The Other Songs has a global presence with offices in New York and London.
In addition to its new agreement with UMPG, The Other Songs has strategic partnerships with music companies such as Paris-based Unity Group and Berlin-based Wasted Talent, as well as a worldwide distribution deal with The Orchard for its recorded music division.
The list of other songs has been streamed over 2 billion times, including hits from SUPER-Hi, Endor, Raffa FL, Starsmith and the UK No. 1 album Sick boy by Ren. Alastair and Billy Webber discussed the company’s history and the campaign for Ren’s UK No.1 album in this exclusive interview with MBW in December.
The latest addition to The Other Songs, Bruno Major, released his debut album, A song for every moon, in 2017 and has since surpassed 1.8 billion streams across platforms. Two of his pieces, Light And Nothing, have accumulated over 388 million and 379 million respectively.
“Alastair and Billy have been staunchly supportive of my career from day one.”
Bruno Major
Last summer, Major, an independent artist who releases his music through AWAL, spoke on the MBW podcast about his experience as an independent artist after previously being signed to a major label.
“I don’t want to come across as someone who is badmouthing the major labels, because I think that system is fantastic when it works,” Major said. “And there are artists who need a huge team, a huge machine and a huge budget. (For that) you have to be part of the machine.”
He added: “But to do what I’ve done and be part of it, to do it independently, you have to be a certain type of person. Creatively, I do a lot myself. I’m a co-writer, but I write all the songs myself. I produce everything myself with Phairo. I play every instrument on these records. I mix the whole thing myself.”
With the UMPG collaboration taking effect, The Other Songs also announced that Jacque O’Leary has joined The Other Songs as General Manager.
“Bruno Major is the best in his class and we are more than pleased to have him in our squad. I am excited about what is to come and grateful to be able to work with him.”
Jacques O’Leary
Jacque said: “I am delighted to be continuing my musical journey as General Manager for The Other Songs. Coming from a publishing background, I have always valued songs, songwriters and storytellers.
“Bruno Major is the best in his class and we are more than pleased to have him in our squad. I am excited about what is to come and grateful to be able to work with him.”
“The Other Songs is a home for great songs and writers, and Bruno is at the heart of our future plans.
Alastair and Billy Webber, The Other Songs
Commenting on the agreement with UMPG and the signing of Bruno Major, co-founders of The Other Songs and brothers Alastair and Billy Webber said: “After 13 years of waiting, it is a dream come true to welcome Bruno Major to The Other Songs Publishing with the support of UMPG.
“Bruno is an extraordinary storyteller. His songs continue to change people’s lives and this partnership is an opportunity for Bruno to expand his reach into theatre, television and film while continuing his remarkable artistic journey.
“The Other Songs is a home for great songs and writers, and Bruno is at the heart of our future plans. Special thanks to his manager Sam Bailey and Harbour Artists & Music, as well as our publishing partners Mike McCormack and Pete Simmons at UMPG.”
“It’s a real privilege to be able to work with The Other Songs.”
Pete Simmons, The Other Songs
Commenting on their recent partnership with The Other Songs, Pete Simmons, Head of A&R at UMPG UK, said: “It is a real privilege to be able to work with The Other Songs.
“After nearly a decade of friendship, it is inspiring to see what Billy, Al, Jacque and their wonderful team have built and it is so exciting that we can be a part of it in the future – especially with an incredible talent like Bruno.”
Bruno Major said: “I am incredibly proud to say that I have signed a new publishing deal with The Other Songs.
“Alastair and Billy have been loyal supporters of my career from day one. I have watched with great admiration as they have built a quirky and passionate company that stands for forward thinking and truly believes in talent.”
Elsewhere at The Other Songs, the company has also hosted live events for songwriters, with sell-out shows at the London Palladium in association with the Ivors Academy raising over £125,000 for the BRIT School and the Ivors Academy Trust.
The Other Songs ventured into animation with Good Morning Kevin, an original animated social media series created in collaboration with former Pixar animation director Andrew Gordon.
Alastair and Billy also founded Another Rhythm, a subsidiary of The Other Songs, an independent record label promoting emerging talent in electronic music.Music business worldwide
