Los Angeles-headquartered Honua Music has made a significant impact in independent publishing over the past decade, with cuts on records that have cumulatively been streamed in the billions.
The firm’s writers include Honua’s co-founder, Andreas Schuller (aka Axident), who has co-written/produced tracks at Honua for the likes of Jason Derulo (Wiggle), Justin Bieber (Company), Pitbull (Fireball), and many more.
Schuller and the Honua team have been building out a roster of writers that also include Alida (Alesso/Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue/Dua Lipa), Leroy Clampitt (Madison Beer, Ashe, JLo, Justin Bieber), Gladius (Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber), Kriss & Smaaland (Alan Walker/Ava Max, Robin Schulz), Leo Arnarson from the production duo DAYSOF1993 (Lil Yachty, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Trippie Redd/Future), and more.
Now, having recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, Honua is expanding via international deals and the promotion of key internal execs.
Those execs include Noah Gopen, who joined Honua Music in 2018 and has recently been upped to President of the company.
Gopen’s management firm reps a handful of multi-platinum producers/writers. Some of these clients include dwilly (Sueco, Ty Dolla $ign, bbno$), WYATT (Diplo/Trippie Redd, iann dior), Just Roger (Shakira/Anuel AA, Danna Paola), TimFromTheHouse (Tove Lo, 5 Seconds of Summer), and more.
This management arm sits within Honua alongside its core publishing company plus Honua’s in-house Heaven’s Creek Studios.
Elsewhere, Honua has hired/promoted Roberto Garcia Caro as Senior Creative Director, and Samuel Boot to Creative Coordinator.
Honua was co-founded in 2011 by Axident and Ron Moss. The latter exec previously worked for 17 years at Rondor/Universal Music Publishing Group, where he signed Avril Lavigne.
“Our company has a very unique structure which we believe benefits our writers immensely,” commented Noah Gopen. “Axident started as a producer, produced hit records, and now develops writers and producers to do the same.
“It is fairly often that a producer gets stuck on an idea, or a writer doesn’t know lyrically where to take a song, and having someone like Axident be able to guide them is crucial.”
Noah Gopen, Honua Music
“It is fairly often that a producer gets stuck on an idea, or a writer doesn’t know lyrically where to take a song, and having someone like Axident be able to guide them is crucial.”
“We’ve always been about building from the ground up,” added Gopen. “Over the next decade, we plan on steady growth, signing a couple writers per year and expanding our internal creative team.”
Meanwhile, Honua recently inked an international partnership with Bucharest-headquartered Global Records, which was founded by Stefan Lucian in 2011, and generates annual revenues of around $17 million.
The partnership will see the two companies collaborate on music – particularly music with an electronic bent – that has the potential to crossover in mainland Europe.
“This [partnership with Global Records] was a natural fit as Stefan’s resources throughout Europe greatly help our creative process.”
Ron Moss, Honua Music
“Stefan has always been a close friend of [Honua],” explained Ron Moss. “Axident and several of our other producers have produced many releases for INNA – who Stefan manages – including Cola Song ft. J Balvin.
“This [partnership] was a natural fit as Stefan’s resources throughout Europe greatly help our creative process.”
In addition, Honua recently formed a separate partnership with fellow L.A-based music publisher Big Noise. As a result, Big Noise’s Jess Furman – the firm’s SVP of Sync – will now also handle sync licensing for Honua.
“We truly care about our writers’ careers,” commented Axident on Honua’s strategy over the past decade. “So many of our signings didn’t have a single cut when they were brought to our attention.
“We grind away, make sure everyone knows who our amazing next-up writers/producers are, and help lay the foundation for a long career with them side by side. We’re boutique and plan to always stay that way.”
“We grind away, make sure everyone knows who our amazing next-up writers/producers are, and help lay the foundation for a long career with them side by side.”
Axident
Looking to the future, Noah Gopen and Honua are big believers that blockchain technology will “one day interrupt the current model” for songwriters and publishers.
“We need it for the most transparent royalty collection and payouts,” said Gopen. “When this happens we will be able to spend less time chasing money, fixing incorrect metadata, and ultimately receive more money from every dollar earned.”
Recent releases featuring Honua writers/producers include When I’m Gone by Alesso & Katy Perry, Reckless by Madison Beer, In Your Eyes by Robin Schulz, On My Way (Marry Me) by Jennifer Lopez, and Til Forever Falls Apart by Ashe & FINNEAS.Music Business Worldwide