CONTENTS

LORDE
Date Signed: NA
Label: Lava/Universal Republic
Type of Music: Alternative/Pop
Management: Scott Maclachlan & Tim Youngson / Saiko Management
Booking: Tom Windish / Windish Agency
Legal: Dan Getz
Publicity: Alexandra Baker, alexandra@highrisepr.com
Web: http://lorde.co.nz
A&R: Jason Flom
Most youngsters who perform in their middle school talent show can
expect (at most) meager applause from family and friends in the
audience. But for Ella Yelich-O’Connor (better known as Lorde),
her remarkable vocals eventually led to a record deal with Universal/Republic
Records. Not too bad for a 12-year-old.
“I didn’t have any real desire to be taking music seriously, because I was
12, you know?” Lorde explains. But three years later a school auditorium
tape-recording from that talent show helped launch (what would become
a No. 1 hit single, “Royals.”)
“All I had was ‘the voice,’ I wasn’t looking for anything more. Universal
just caught me at a very, very young age.”
And that ultimately worked to Lorde’s benefit. No competition, no shady
offers, no shattered dreams––from the start it was always just about
Lorde, Universal and, most importantly, the music.
“The team is like a family––we’re very close and we trust each other,”
she says. “My manager [Scott Maclachlan] is totally onboard with all the
crazy stuff I want to do. I’ve always had a lot of control. I’ve never been
afraid to speak my mind, and they’ve always been incredibly supportive
of that.”
Wise beyond her years, Lorde understands the importance of relinquishing
some power to those more apt with business prowess while still
keeping true to herself.
“The team is like a family––we’re
very close and we trust each other.”
“First and foremost I care about the art that I’m making. I try as hard as
I can to keep that pure and not tainted with all the things that come along
with having a big song. [Universal] helped me find a balance between
having that complete purity with your art and also trying to make sure that
you make the most of it––that you get exposure in the right places and
take the right opportunities.”
This young artist is living proof that such peaceful equilibrium is key to
personal as well as commercial success. Not only is she the first female
in 17 years to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative radio airplay chart, she
just set the record for the longest run while doing so. Lorde’s debut album
Pure Heroine was released on Sept. 30, 2013. – Danica Bellini
MODOC
Date Signed: February 2013
Publishing Company: Zavitson Music Group
Type of Music: Rock
Band Members: Clint Culberson, vocals/guitars; Kyle Addison, lead
guitars/vocals; Caleb Crockett, bass/vocals; John Carlson, drums/vocals.
Management: Eric Hurt, eric@zmgllc.com
Booking: Johnny Gradone, johnny@zmgllc.com
Legal: NA
Publicity: Ryan Moore, ryan@rymeaux.com
Web: http://modocmusic.com
N
ashville-based hard rock outfit Modoc were doing the heavy touring
grind until early this year when friend and manager Eric Hurt led
them to a publishing and management deal with Zavitson Music
Group.
“It is an unheard of deal, as far as bringing our manager in with us. It’s
very extended family-like,” vocalist/guitarist Clint Culberson says.
According to the Modoc frontman, the publishing deal has helped open
doors for band as aspiring songwriters. He, lead guitarist Kyle Addison,
bassist Caleb Crockett and drummer John Carlson each signed individual
co-writing contracts and one as a band. Modoc’s eponymous debut as a
signed act, a follow-up to 2011’s Fortune and Fame, features one such
co-write titled “Devil On My Shoulder,” written with Grammy-nominated
producer Paul Moak.
Collaboration with outside artists was a foreign concept to Modoc,
“Having a publishing deal
with our management tied in
really freed us.”
Culberson explains. “Sometimes it’s difficult writing with someone who
doesn’t know you. But I had a great connection with Paul Moak the first
time we sat down. He wanted to get to know me, and there was a connection.
Some co-writes aren’t worth remembering, but you never know.
“There are a lot of things,” he adds, “you can’t do on an indie level, but
having a publishing deal with our management tied in really freed us from
needing to share the pie with [unproductive] people.”
Together since 2007, Modoc have paid several years of dues before
running into the right fit; for other bands in the due-paying phase, Culberson
advises touring as much as possible. “We toured and we ended
up paying to play, and sometimes that’s what it takes. You do have the
Internet, which helps out quite a bit, but Facebook or Twitter doesn’t
do any good if you’re not going to play a live show or you’re not doing
anything interesting.”
Modoc are planning to tour overseas sometime next year.
– Jessica Pace
26 November 2013 musicconnection.com