Silverchair, Missy Higgins, Little Birdy, Kisschasy and Paul Mac are heading to a new home. Uber-manager John Watson is jumping ship from EMI to take his Eleven label to Universal.
Watson`s Eleven has been with EMI ever since he founded the company.Universal has built up Australia`s premiere local roster with Pav`s Modular (Wolfmother, Cut Copy, The Presets) and Paul Piticco`s Dew Process (Powderfinger, Sarah Blasko, The Living End). It also releases the Ralph Carr family of artists including Kate Ceberano, Vanessa Amorosi and Carl Riseley.
Comments by Watson fly in the face of what EMI owners Terra Firma are claiming to be their new model. “In this cluttered media environment, we believe that artists need to aggregate their finite marketing and promotional resources,” he said in a statement. “Instead of the traditional approach of having one group of people trying to sell “CDs” while others try to sell “concert tickets”, artists need to be in the broader business of building enduring relationships with their audiences in all the different forms that may take. Universal Music truly understands all this, so our new deal will allow us to integrate those processes much more seamlessly.”
Universal Managing Director George Ash is delighted to welcome Eleven to the Universal family. “John Watson, Melissa Chenery, the team at Eleven, and their amazing artists are at the forefront of success and creativity, and the Universal Music family is honoured to be partnering with them as we work towards an exciting new future. Our bond is based upon a passion for artists and connecting them with their fans in a fast changing music world. Eleven are the leaders, the innovators and the true home for artists. We couldn`t be more excited,” he said.
Eleven will join Universal on September 1.
