Wise Music Australia strengthens local roster with slew of additional writers

Wise Music Australia (part of the Wise Music Group, a global indie music publisher) announces the addition of neo-classical/ electronic composer Nick Wales, beatmaker David Rodriguez (Godriguez, GODTET) and Perth based pop-noir outfit Alter Boy to the Wise Music family, marking a new curatorial approach to building the local Australian roster, spearheaded by Head of A&R Ben Pierpoint. This new approach is centred on building a lineup of multi-faceted songwriters and composers who work beyond the standard genres of music, as well as supporting the next generation of voices from the LGBTIQA+ and female identifying, First Nations and POC communities. Wales, Rodriguez and Alter Boy now join unique and exceptional Wise Music Australia songwriters such as Ngaiire, William Barton, Donny Benet, Beks and Jude York - supported by the local Wise publishing team who are passionate about providing a personal service to each of their writers.

“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that constant existential music question – what is A&R? – and the three artists outlined here are the perfect answer to that question.” says Ben Pierpoint.

Managing Director Jane English says of the new signings, “It’s incredibly exciting to see our local roster expand with the addition of such talented, world class writers who fit so perfectly within the Wise Music family. We are thrilled to welcome Nick, Dave and Alter Boy and look forward to supporting each of their unique musical voices moving forward”.



Nick Wales

 

The exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Nick Wales is the first in a new type of hybrid contemporary/classical deal created by Pierpoint, Classical Promotions Director Catherine Gerrard and the wider team at Wise to offer select writers more flexibility that is not only reflective of the cross-genre work being created, but also of the publishing company’s catalogue and history which is steeped in both classical and contemporary genres.

Nick’s musical landscape hovers between classical, electronic and world music that is immersive, visceral, textural and progressive whilst also encompassing a pop sensibility (as seen in his previous project - ARIA nominated fusion band CODA and collaborations with the likes of Sarah Blasko, Paul Mac and Ngaiire). His work crosses multiple artforms including film (scoring the 2023 Netflix film True Spirit), dance (ongoing collaborations with the Sydney Dance Company including new production momenta premiering this May) and experiential productions and installations. His latest release Yolngu is a collaboration with North East Arnhem Land songman Rrawun Maymuru fusing the traditional sounds of Rrawun’s ancient songlines with Nick’s electronic and classical sonic worlds.



Ben Pierpoint, Nick Wales and Jane English (Photo by Ashley Mar)

Ben Pierpoint comments, “I have been a fan of Nick’s since the days of me sneaking into CODA gigs underage and definitely without my parent’s knowledge. Since then, my career has crossed paths with Nick many times and to now have him join the Wise Music fam is a full 360 moment. Nick is one of Australia’s busiest, booked and most exported composers, an artist working at the top of their game and I know the entire global team are excited about where we’re going to go together.”

Nick Wales says of signing with Wise Music, “As a multi art form composer working across popular and classical contexts, it's not easy to find a publisher who understands both of these worlds . I'm so happy to have found a new home with Wise Music. I look forward to furthering my musical journey with their support and belief in me and my music.”



David Rodriguez

The team are excited to be working with beatmaker, soul/hip-hop producer and multi-instrumentalist David Rodriguez. The creative force behind Sampa The Great’s breakthrough release The Great Mixtape and a producer whose musical influences span across Cuban, neo-classical, West African, jazz, Polynesian, flamenco and classical Egyptian music. Rodriguez has two key projects, his producer project Godriguez and his 5 piece fusion project GODTET (6 albums released) which will next be seen performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House sharing the stage with Wise Music’s very own Ngaiire. Rodriguez has had his music synched in the US for Walgreens, Nike and Under Armour as well as in Australia for the Commonwealth Bank.

Pierpoint says of Rodriguez, "You want to talk about enigmatic underground artists, Dave to me is top of that list. The influence that his work has had on the wider Australian artistic ecosystem knows no bound and exists far beyond the music realm. There are few more sacred spaces then sitting in a GODTET performance and we’re all prepped and ready with our passports to push this work out to the world."

David says of signing with Wise Music, “I'm very proud to be joining the Wise Music Group. The personal approach makes me feel that my musical attributes and I are appreciated and given space to unfurl. Their industry expertise is so valuable especially when I’m looking for some input. Most importantly they allow me to just focus on making the best music I can. I am very grateful to be a part of this team.”

Alter Boy

The final latest addition to the local Wise roster is Perth pop-noir outfit Alter Boy, made up of hard-of-hearing lead singer and lyricist, Molly Priest, Andrew Wright, keys, Josh Ellis, drums, Josh Terlick, bass guitarist and synth bassist, and Luke Eastman, Auslan performer. The group were the 2023 WA National Live Music Award winner for Best Live Act and showcased at SXSW Sydney last year.

Today, they are releasing their new single Life Finds A Way, the first taste of what’s to come in 2024. The song speaks to the evaporating age of men taking credit for a woman’s work and how women throughout history have stood behind great men, carrying out the tactical and emotional labour which allowed these men to embellish themselves in solitude – and how these women are now being recognised.

Alter Boy says of joining the Wise Music roster - “When we met Ben, Cathy and Geoffrey it was clear that they understood the nuance of Alter Boy. The Wise catalogue, history and innovative spirit speaks to us, and we are so honoured to be joining their family.”

Ben Pierpoint comments, "I’ve been healthily, and sometimes unhealthily, obsessed with Alter Boy ever since I happened upon their set in The Domain for Sydney World Pride. The level of intricacy and detail applied to every aspect of their craft is unparalleled. Their commitment to widening the accessibility of their music and performance is a masterclass in the future of this industry."