Universal Music Publishing Group inks global deal with Glass Animals lead singer Dave Bayley

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed Dave Bayley of Grammy-nominated band Glass Animals to an exclusive, global publishing agreement.

Bayley is lead singer, songwriter and producer of Glass Animals, whose 2020 album Dreamland gained more than 1.5 billion global streams.

The band were nominated for the 2022 Grammy Awards’ Best New Artist.

They were also nominated for the BRIT Awards for Song of the Year (Heat Waves) and Best Rock/Alternative Act.

Most recently, UMPG says that its A&R team coordinated a writing collaboration between Bayley and Florence Welch, resulting in Bayley co-writing Florence’s newest single, My Love.

In 2020, Glass Animals released the RIAA Triple Platinum hit Heat Waves, solely written and produced by Bayley.

 

The single was the fourth most streamed song in the US for 2021, says UMPG, and hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Heat Waves also reached No.1 on Top 40 Radio, Spotify’s Global Top 50 Chart and Spotify US Top 50, No.5 on the UK single charts, and is the longest running top ten single in the ARIA charts.

“There’s so much I want to learn and so much music I want to make in so many different areas.”

Dave Bayley

Dave Bayley, said: “There’s so much I want to learn and so much music I want to make in so many different areas – from Glass Animals records, to pop songwriting, to experimental sound design, to scoring.

“When it came time to re-sign my publishing, there were so many wonderful people, ideas and opportunities around that I began to feel a bit lost, but Universal Music Publishing and the incredible team of people there had drawn a long and clear path for me through those ideas… it just felt like a journey I wanted to take.

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

“I am especially delighted to work closely with UMPG’s global creative teams.”

Jody Gerson, UMPG

Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG, said: “I am a Glass Animals fan and I am especially delighted to work closely with UMPG’s global creative teams to amplify Dave Bayley’s talents as a writer and producer, not only for his band but also for other artists who inspire and excite him.”

“the next chapter for Dave is going to be a really important one.”

Amy Morgan, Glass Animals Manager

Amy Morgan, Glass Animals Manager, said: “After the success of Heat Waves and Dreamland,’ the next chapter for Dave is going to be a really important one.

“There is so much to explore for him both as an artist and as a writer/producer and I’m really looking forward to working with Jody, Mike and the team at UMPG to help develop all these strands of his career.”

Mike McCormack

“Best part of this job is when you get the opportunity to work with a world-class original talent.”

Mike McCormack, UMPG UK

Mike McCormack, Managing Director of UMPG UK, said: “Best part of this job is when you get the opportunity to work with a world-class original talent like Dave Bayley.

“I’d been a fan of his for many years, so personally and professionally, it’s an honour that he and Amy chose UMPG as their publishing partner going forward.”Music Business Worldwide