Universal Music Publishing Group has signed American synth-pop icons Future Islands to an exclusive global publishing deal.
The deal, announced Thursday (March 12), covers everything the Baltimore-based band has released since forming in Greenville, North Carolina in 2006, along with any work going forward.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Future Islands — Samuel T. Herring, William Cashion, Gerrit Welmers, and Michael Lowry, who joined as a full-time member in 2019 — are managed by Bertie Gibbon, Brian Message, Clarisse Quinn and Jackson Perry of ATC Management.
The signing comes as the band’s 2024 debut album People Who Aren’t There Anymore debuted in the UK Top 10. UMPG said Future Islands’ 2014 breakthrough album Singles propelled them onto the global stage, driven by their single Seasons (Waiting on You).
Their performance of the song on The Late Show with David Letterman became the most-viewed music clip in the program’s history, according to the announcement.
“As the band celebrates its 20th anniversary, partnering with Future Islands at this moment in their journey is especially meaningful – celebrating their immense catalogue, while becoming committed creative partners for their future.”
Shirin Foroutan, UMPG Europe
More than a decade on, Seasons continues to generate streaming revenue and sync placements. It is certified Gold in the US, while Singles holds a Gold certification in the UK.
Future Islands have also headlined and sold out major venues globally, including Radio City Music Hall in New York, The Greek Theatre and The Shrine in Los Angeles, and Alexandra Palace and Brixton Academy in London, UMPG said.
Shirin Foroutan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, UMPG Europe, said, “It’s a privilege to become the caretakers of the remarkable body of work that Sam, Mike, Gerrit, and William have created together as Future Islands.”
“As the band celebrates its 20th anniversary, partnering with Future Islands at this moment in their journey is especially meaningful – celebrating their immense catalogue, while becoming committed creative partners for their future. We’re sincerely grateful for the trust that Sam, Mike, Gerrit, William, and their managers Brian Message and Bertie Gibbon have placed in us.”
Future Islands’ bass player William Cashion said: “We’ve always viewed our songs as living things — records of where we’ve been and where we’re going, pieces that keep evolving as time passes.”
“Having a partner like UMPG that respects that journey and values the longevity of our catalogue is incredibly meaningful.”
William Cashion, Future Islands
“Having a partner like UMPG that respects that journey and values the longevity of our catalogue is incredibly meaningful. As we celebrate 20 years of Future Islands, we feel energized to have such a dedicated team behind us, helping our music find new ears while we focus on the work ahead.”
Bertie Gibbon, Senior Manager at ATC Management in London, said: “We’re proud to bring Future Islands’ singular catalogue into the care of UMPG in the year they celebrate 20 years as a band. Together with ATC’s transatlantic team, we look forward to carrying the songs of Sam, Gerrit, William and Michael to new audiences around the world for many years to come.”
Future Islands marks UMPG’s latest signing after it inked an exclusive worldwide music publishing agreement with songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Zach Nahome alongside NWS Music Group in January.
Nahome, named Producer of the Year at MBW’s 2025 Music Business UK Awards, was the executive producer of Olivia Dean’s sophomore release The Art of Loving, producing, writing, or co-writing the majority of the album’s tracks.
“Together with ATC’s transatlantic team, we look forward to carrying the songs of Sam, Gerrit, William and Michael to new audiences around the world for many years to come.”
Bertie Gibbon, ATC Management
That same month, UMPG signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with Latin Grammy-nominated artist DannyLux.
In October, UMPG extended its exclusive, global publishing agreement with Idris Elba, which the company described as an “adept songwriter, producer, musician, actor, director and DJ.”
Music Business Worldwide
