Balu Brigada Announce Signing With Kobalt

Balu Brigada(Credit: André)

New Zealand alt-pop duo Balu Brigada are looking to the next phase of their career, today announcing their signing to independent music publisher Kobalt.

Comprising brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley, Balu Brigada have developed a reputation for sharp songwriting, dynamic production, and energetic live shows. They’ve become one of the most buzzed-about live acts in the alternative pop space, and today’s announcement arrives ahead of the duo’s upcoming Australian tour, in which multiple dates have already sold out.

Balu Brigada released their debut album, Portal, last August via Warner Music Australia/Atlantic. Featuring standout singles Backseat, So Cold, and Sideways, the group quickly stole hearts with their polished brand of alt-pop and emotionally charged storytelling.

So Cold became an international hit, reaching #1 on the US Alternative Airplay Chart in 2024, while Backseat continues to make major moves, recently landing at #7 on the Billboard Alternative Chart and gaining further traction on alternative radio.

2025 marked a breakthrough year for the brothers, who were named one of SiriusXM’s Future Five Artists last year and completed their first-ever US headline tour, selling out shows while they were at it. The duo gained additional traction in the US by opening for twenty one pilots on their Clancy World Tour in August 2024, later joining the American pop group for more tour dates in Latin America, the UK, and Europe.

This May, they’ve locked in a huge headline tour of Australia. Shows in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney are sold out, with additional gigs announced. You can find remaining tickets to the shows here.

“We’re stoked to be working with Kobalt for the next chapter of our writing career,” said Balu Brigada’s Henry and Pierre Beasley. “After a long period of self-sufficiency in the publishing space, we’re looking forward to the opportunities and the experimentation that will come from working with this wide and passionate team.”

Amy Goldsmith of Goldie Management and the duo’s management expressed “great admiration” for the Kobalt team.

“I hold great admiration for the team at Kobalt, their independence and nimbleness, coupled with genuine passion, creativity and respect for their writers,” Goldsmith said. “From our first dedicated conversations, they have been understanding, diligent and inspiring prospective partners, and I look forward to partnering our team with their wealth of experience and innovation.”

Simon Moor, Managing Director APAC of Kobalt, commented that signing Balu Brigada reflects “everything” the independent publisher believes in. Moor added that Kobalt’s role will be to work alongside the duo and their management to continue building on their success.

“Signing Balu Brigada to Kobalt Music Publishing worldwide reflects everything we believe in — backing artists who are already resonating globally and partnering with management teams who understand their vision,” Moor shared. “The band have created an undeniable momentum through their music, cultural identity and with their live show.

“Our role now is to work alongside the band and their management, building on that success with fast global licensing, market reach, and expanded synch support to ensure their songs have the platforms they deserve around the world.”

Amanda Tufeld, Senior Director of A&R at Kobalt, said the team is “thrilled” to welcome Balu Brigada to their family.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Balu Brigada to the Kobalt family. Their rising global momentum makes Kobalt the perfect home, especially as our DNA has always been about working collaboratively across territories to help elevate our clients’ visions,” Tufeld explained. “At their core, Henry and Pierre are exceptional songwriters, and [we] look forward to diving in together.”