Primary Wave Music has struck a music rights deal with singer, songwriter, and musician Neil Finn, founding member of rock band Crowded House.
Described by Primary Wave as a “multi-million-dollar deal,” the publisher says that the agreement will see the company acquire Finn’s music publishing catalog and writer’s share of public performance for his work with Crowded House, as well as his solo material.
As one of the founding members of Crowded House, Finn wrote and composed many of the band’s biggest hits which are included in this new partnership, as well as his solo material and songs he wrote as part of the New Zealand pop/new wave band, Split Enz.
Songs include Better Be Home Soon, Don’t Dream It’s Over, Weather With You and others.
Released in 1986, Don’t Dream It’s Over appeared on Crowded House’s eponymous debut album.
Written by Finn, the single became the band’s biggest hit and reached No.2 on the Hot 100. The song also went to No.1 in several countries.
Also included in the deal is Finn’s share of Weather With You, written with his brother Tim from the band’s third studio album. The song is one of the band’s most successful singles and won a number of awards upon its release.
“This deal has been a good while in the making and feels right.”
Neil Finn
“I look forward to seeing Primary Wave’s plan for the ongoing care of my songs. I am confident they see the body of my work as music that matters. This deal has been a good while in the making and feels right,” said Neil Finn.
“We look forward to working closely with Neil and his great team at Shelter Management on the next stages of his storied career.”
David Weitzman, Primary Wave
Primary Wave’s David Weitzman added: “We are thrilled to welcome Neil Finn to Primary Wave. Not only is he a master songwriter, he is the songwriters’ favorite songwriter.
“We look forward to working closely with Neil and his great team at Shelter Management on the next stages of his storied career.”
Last week, Primary Wave acquired a stake in the music publishing and master recording rights of US singer, songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka.
Primary Wave’s latest deal arrives two months after the company announced a partnership with Y.M.C.A hitmakers Village People.
Earlier that month (February), Primary Wave moved into Brazil via the acquisition of a 50% stake in Nas Nuvens Catalog (NNC). That transaction valued the Sao Paulo-headquartered company at around USD $100 million.
In January, Primary Wave announced a rights partnership deal with the estate of Stone Temple Pilots Singer Scott Weiland.Music Business Worldwide