Two of the most active music firms involved in buying up publishing catalogues have started 2020 with a bang.
UK-based Hipgnosis has acquired a catalogue of 157 songs from Blink-182 co-founder Tom DeLonge, hopeful of a resurgence for his main band’s music. “The influence of Blink-182 on today’s artists is massive. If you’re under 27 years old and making music they are a seminal band,” said Hipgnosis boss Merck Mercuriadis.
Meanwhile, Concord Music Publishing has acquired a stake in Pulse Music Group, with plans to launch a new joint venture in which Concord will administer Pulse’s catalogue and handle new signings. The catalogue, which includes more than 10k songs, includes works by Ty Dolla $ign, James Blake and Yebba. “Pulse is a company that Concord has always greatly admired, and this collaboration instantly makes Concord a leader in the frontline pop, hip-hop and R&B publishing world,” said Concord’s chief business development officer Steve Salm.
