SPECIAL REPORT Indie Club: PeerMusic alumni Gabrielle Aplin and Linda Perry The world of independent publishing is ever-growing and ever-changing; yes, the challenges may be great, but the rewards are even greater. In a special report, Music Week checks the pulse of this vibrant sector of the industry with some its key players… ------------ BY GEORGE GARNER ------------ n the off chance you were the only person in “One of our most important signings of the past year is Linda the music industry who didn’t get the memo: Perry,” nods Elderton. “We entered into an admin and joint venture the world of music publishing is currently in deal with Linda and her partner Kerry Brown’s company We Are a state of flux. Hear which is based in LA. We are working with Linda on numerous Following the announcement in projects including new artists, a new Natasha Bedingfield album and September 2018 that legendary Sony/ATV film projects, as well as Linda’s collaboration with Dolly Parton on the boss Martin Bandier would be stepping Netflix film Dumplin. Another major highlight was the completion down in March 2019, a very real game of of our acquisition of Music Cube in South Korea which became musical chairs was initiated. Suffice to say some big email signatures PeerMusic’s 34th global office operating in 30 territories.” Ohave changed of late, folks: Jon Platt exited Warner/Chappell to take Given the truly global scale at which independent publishers over at Sony/ATV, while Guy Moot bid adieu to Sony/ATV to become operate, it does beg the question as to how they see themselves co-chair & CEO at Warner/Chappell. competing not only with the majors, but also the other indies in Yet when Bandier told Music Week in our exclusive March cover possession of deep pockets. interview that, “everybody is competitive in our business”, he wasn’t “I guess it depends on what you mean by ‘compete’,” says Elderton. just talking about the majors. A host of independent publishers are “With a global network of wholly owned offices Peer is in the unique also in play, looking to represent the leading songwriting talents and “Sync is key to what position to offer worldwide deals and not only compete with the likes catalogues. So first, let’s clear up one misconception early: the word of Kobalt and BMG but, in some territories, we actually administer ‘independent’ does not mean ‘publishing on a small scale’. I do... Having a their catalogues. It is this global reach which distinguishes Peer from “The indie publishing sector continues to thrive and work with share of Uptown many of its independent competitors.” developing songwriters and artists,” says Nigel Elderton, president, Funk means I’ve He continues: “As an independently owned company which is Europe & managing director, PeerMusic UK. “Peer has its own still run by Ralph Peer II (the son of the founder), together with his studio facilities – we have studios in the majority of our offices seen extraordinary daughter Mary Megan Peer, we have a very clear strategy which is around the world – and this enables us to develop writers and new activity” to offer our writers and sub-publishing clients a hands-on-focused artist projects below the radar. We believe that providing our writers service and to build long-term relationships. When we sign a writer with top quality studio access is integral to what we do as a business JOHN FOGARTY we do so out of the belief that we can work together and enhance their and we can point to many success stories which began life in career; we don’t just chase the charts, although building market share NEW SONGS Nat Michele Davis/Rebecca Cabage our studios.” is important in this digital world and fortunately we have our fair ADMINISTRATION Indeed, PeerMusic have been notching up many such stories. If share of chart success. We had cuts on some of the biggest albums in you think the biggest songwriting talents are the exclusive preserve of the world last year from Drake to Ed Sheeran and so I think you would major music publishers think again. Just take Linda Perry, the genius agree that we are holding our own among our competitors.” behind hits such as Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful, Gwen Stefani’s Nor are PeerMusic alone in holding their own. Another key What You Waiting For? and Pink’s Get The Party Started. player in the independent music publishing world is New Songs APLIN/PERRY PHOTOS: musicweek.com 15.04.19 Music Week | 23.