Publishing Briefs: Lady Gaga Writer Sells Catalog, Netherlands Fund Buys American Standards

Iconoclast, an artist and brand development company, has purchased the catalog of Lady Gaga co-writer and producer Nick Monson. His catalog includes hits like “Human” by Rag n Bone Man, which is currently peaking on TikTok, as well as songs like “Applause” by Gaga, “Good For You” and “Nobody” by Selena Gomez, “Home” by Nick Jonas, “Invitation” and “Just Like Me” by Britney Spears.

Netherlands-based music fund Pythagoras Music Fund (PMF) has purchased the worldwide publishing rights to Barton Music and its catalogs, which includes American standards like the Frank Sinatra-recorded “Come Fly With Me,” “Love & Marriage” and more. The acquired catalogs also include compositions recorded by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Plácido Domingo, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Bublé, Westlife and Robbie Williams.

Hannah Babbitt has launched BABZ Nashville, a second home for her boutique management company BABZ which represents some of the industry’s top songwriters and producers, including Alex Hope, Jesse Fink, Nick Monson and more.

Sentric Music Group has partnered with Rough Trade Publishing to handle the independent publisher’s global administration. The deal covers all of Rough Trade’s signees, including Alvvays, Chelsea Wolfe, The Tallest Man On Earth, Built To Spill, Black Lips and more.

Platinum-selling producer-songwriter Krupa has signed with independent publishing house Position Music. News of the worldwide deal arrives on the heels of Krupa receiving an RIAA Double Platinum certification for co-writing the song “Blood // Water” by Grandson. He’s also worked with Jessie Reyez, Dillon Francis, Kesha, Travis Barker and more.

EVGLE Publishing has announced the signing of artist, producer, songwriter and violinist GrandMaster Vic, who is best known for his work on Kendrick Lamar‘s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The young publishing joint venture — founded by Blxst, Victor Burnett and Karl Fowlkes — was created in conjunction with Warner Chappell Music and also boasts Jay Millian, J Pilot and Blxst on its roster.

Various Artists Management and Stellar Songs has launched a new joint venture called Alternative Songs. The new company will be administered and funded by Downtown Music Services.

Concord Music Publishing ANZ (formerly Native Tongue) has announced the signing of COTERIE, a five-piece band based in West Australia. The new deal encompasses the band’s back catalog and future works.

Ellen Reid has signed a publishing deal with Wise Music Group and Chester Music Limited. Reid’s work spans opera, sound design, film scoring and ensemble choral writing. In 2019, she won the Pulitzer Prize in music for her opera p r i s m.

Wise Music Group and Chester Music Limited have signed Anoushka Shankar to an exclusive publishing agreement. A film composer, activist, and seven-time Grammy nominee, Shankar said in a statement that it’s a “pleasure” to work with the companies on her future works. “I look forward to expanding my compositional horizons and working with them to bring my creative voice and the sound of my instrument- the sitar- into new spaces.”