Guided By Voices, Bad Brains, Sienna Spiro and More

Bad Brains, the pioneering punk and hardcore band, has partnered with Trust Records in a comprehensive deal covering music publishing, recorded music, name and likeness, trademarks, and visual IP. The agreement ensures the band’s catalog — including its landmark self-titled debut and classics Rock For Light, I Against I and Quickness — will be preserved and exposed to future generations of hardcore kids. As part of the partnership, bassist Darryl Jenifer will join Trust’s newly formed artist advisory board to help shape the label’s creative vision. Bad Brains’ impact on punk and hardcore spans generations, influencing artists from Rage Against the Machine to Foo Fighters—a legacy far too vast for a single news blurb. “We started Trust Records to promote, preserve and protect punk and hardcore music and the culture that surrounds it,” said Trust Records founder, Matt Pincus. “Bad Brains is the absolute top of the mountain in punk and hardcore. They taught the rest of us how to do it.  It is the highest honor partner with Darryl and Bad Brains in the stewardship of their iconic work.”

Sony Music Publishing has signed rising singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro to a global publishing deal. At just 20, Spiro boasts 6.6 million monthly Spotify listeners, 1.5 million TikTok followers, and endorsements from SZA, Finneas and more. Her debut EP SINK NOW, SWIM LATER has surpassed 122 million streams, while she recently earned her first UK Top 10 with “Die on This Hill” and wrapped a sold-out tour before joining Sam Smith’s NYC residency. Spiro has also appeared at major festivals and supported Teddy Swims on tour. “It’s clear Sienna’s vocals are undeniably special, but her voice as a songwriter is its own quiet force,” said SMP A&R execs Scout Easley and Adam Ikner. “Her instinct for emotional storytelling makes listeners not just hear her but feel every moment with her.”

Peermusic has signed Grammy-nominated producer and multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin to a worldwide publishing and neighboring rights deal. Martin, known for his genre-meshing mix of jazz, hip-hop and R&B, has collaborated with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Travis Scott. His latest album, Come As You Are (with Kenyon Dixon), is nominated for best progressive R&B album at the 2026 Grammys, while its single “WeMaj” is up for best melodic rap performance. Over his career, Martin has earned eight Grammy nominations, 17 billion streams, and 16 million album sales, while running his own label, Sounds of Crenshaw, home to his acclaimed projects and the Grammy-nominated supergroup Dinner Party. “Terrace is ‘West Coast Royalty’ and he’s delivered culture-changing record,” said vp of A&R Tuff Morgan. “In the Los Angeles music scene, the work that Terrace has done to carry on the city’s rich history of jazz and hip-hop is revered.”

Jamaican star Cordell “Skatta” Burrell and reggae publisher Abood Music have partnered with Reservoir Media to acquire catalogs and develop Ja artists and songwriters, aiming to elevate the island’s music globally. Founded in 2001, Abood Music boasts a catalog tied to over 220 million album sales and 120 Jamaican clients. Skatta, a leading producer and influencer, is best known for creating the 2003 hit “Coolie Dance Rhythm,” which Reservoir has published in the U.S. since 2020. The rhythm has seen renewed popularity, featured in Kehlani’s Grammy-nominated “After Hours” and 15 singles over the past 18 months. The venture’s first transaction includes a substantial donation to support Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica. “With this donation, we hope to signal our meaningful commitment not just to the creators we sign, but also to Jamaica and its people as a whole,” Skatta said.

Electric Feel Publishing has signed producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Orion Meshorer to a global publishing deal. Based in Los Angeles, Meshorer co-produced The Kid LAROI’s “HOW DOES IT FEEL” and showcased his guitar skills on Taylor Swift’s “I Know Places” from 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. His credits also include work with Sueco, TXT, Ty Dolla $ign, Monsta X, Wiz Khalifa, Goldlink and YG. “Pairing up with Electric Feel is a dream come true,” Meshorer said. “I know I’m at the right place to achieving my goals as a producer and writer.”

Reservoir Media has signed a global publishing deal with Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham and Piya Malik, the trio behind Brooklyn-based band Say She She. The agreement covers each member’s catalog and future works. Known for their “discodelic soul” sound blending disco, funk and pop, Say She She debuted with Prism in 2022 and followup with Silver a year later. The group recently released Cut & Rewind and made their debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as they kick off an international tour running through 2026. “From the first time I heard ‘Blow my Mind’ back in 2022, I was an instant fan,” said James Cheney, vp of creative. “When I realized I had the chance to work with Nya, Sabrina and Piya, I jumped at the opportunity.”

(L to R) Lily Samuels-Shragg (TMWRK Management), Nya Gazelle Brown, Piya Malik, James Cheney (VP, Creative at Reservoir), Sabrina Cunningham, and Ben Collins (TMWRK Management).

Position Music has signed Toronto-born singer-songwriter Alexander Stewart to a global publishing deal. Stewart’s latest album What If? earned praise from NPR and Stereogum and featured a performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, while his debut album bleeding heart included the viral hit “i wish you cheated,” which won the SOCAN Viral Song Award and earned him MTV VMA and JUNO nominations. He is currently on the European and UK leg of his headlining What If? World Tour, which will reach North America in February. “Meeting Alexander Stewart in person is electric,” said Position A&R Shannon Corsi (pictured, right). “There’s an intensity to his energy that’s impossible to ignore — you just know he’s destined to win on a global scale.”

Sony Music Publishing and Tooth & Nail Publishing have partnered to sign singer-songwriter Max McNown to a global publishing deal. McNown is known for his breakthrough single “A Lot More Free,” which landed McNown on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. He’s followed that success by releasing the projects Wandering in 2024 and Night Diving in 2025. His song “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” reached the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. SMPN vp of creative A&R Tom Luteran said, “Max is an artist whose music resonates across multiple genres and generations. He is the type of artist whose songs will continue to make a major impact on the charts throughout his career. I couldn’t be happier to be working with this amazing, energetic, emerging superstar.” –Jessica Nicholson

Front Row, L-R – Tom Luteran (SMP), Max McNown, Tooth and Nail’s Brandon Ebel (Tooth & Nail), Rusty Gaston (SMP) Back Row, L-R – Leslie Roberts (BMI), Caty Bier (Tooth & Nail), Greg Johnson (Columbia Records)

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer Ryon (aka Ryon’s World) has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Group and Erik Belz’s Electric 88 Music. Known for his work across pop, hip-hop and alt-rock, Ryon has collaborated with artists including Machine Gun Kelly and Yung Gravy, earning multi-platinum certifications for hits like Bryce Vine’s “La La Land” and G.R.L.’s “Ugly Heart.” His credits also include albums from Train and MGK, plus major sync placements with Netflix, NASCAR and the NFL. “We are excited to welcome Ryon to Spirit Music and Electric 88,” said Frank Rogers, CEO of Spirit Music. “We have been fans of Ryon’s music for a while and when Erik Belz approached us about joining forces, we jumped at the chance!” 

Kobalt has signed rising Australian soul artist Don West to a worldwide publishing deal. Influenced by legends like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, as well as modern acts such as Thee Sacred Souls, West first gained attention with his 2024 debut EP and followed with singles “Send It Back,” “Julia,” and “Give Me All Your Love,” which anchors his newly released debut album. After a sold-out European tour, West returns to Australia for headline shows and festivals before planning a global run in 2026. “Don is effortlessly cool and charismatic,” said Briese Abbott, Kobalt’s head of creative services for Australia and New Zealand. “His deep-rooted love of classic soul and blues, combined with his coastal upbringing, has shaped a sound that’s resonating with audiences around the world.”

Young Guns Publishing has signed singer, songwriter and producer Jake Puliti to a worldwide exclusive publishing deal. Puliti co-wrote “Comin’ In Cold” on Bailey Zimmerman’s Different Night Same Rodeo — a track that inspired both the album title and Zimmerman’s 2026 tour name. Puliti has worked as a producer for various artists while building a strong digital presence with millions of views across TikTok and other platforms, drawing on experience from competing on American Idol. “Jake has a sense of musicianship that stuns me, and I just know his faith is driving him to really want to grow as a human and songwriter,” YGP’s head of creative, Laura Alexander said. “After a two hour initial meeting with him, I immediately knew his personality and work ethic were going to fit in with our family at Young Guns.”

L-R: Matthew Jafari (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem PLLC), Laura Alexander (SVP Creative, Young Guns Publishing), Jake Puliti, Will Hamrick (CEO, Young Guns Publishing), Laurie Gore (Creative/Admin Assistant) and Jason Turner (Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem PLLC)

Position Music welcomed Nashville-based songwriter Matt McKinney to the fold with a worldwide publishing deal. The Georgia Bulldog previously signed with Sony Music Publishing and earned cuts with major artists including Jordan Davis (“Part Of It”), Elle King (“Ohio,” “Lucky,” “Tulsa”), Jon Pardi (“Beer For Santa”), Tim McGraw, Ernest and more. McKinney joins a Position roster that includes Dave Cohen, Matt Geroux, Khal Yassein, Steve Solomon and Zach Skelton. “His songwriting is honest, authentic and genuine,” commented A&R Chandler Thurston. “He has all the qualities of a great storyteller.”

(L-R) Mark Chipello, Chandler Thurston, Matt McKinney and Tyler Bacon

Manchester-based trio GoGo Penguin has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Campbell Connelly & Co, part of Wise Music Group. Known for blending jazz, classical, electronica and other styles, the group features pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Jon Scott. Since forming in 2012, they’ve released seven studio albums, including their latest, Necessary Fictions, which explores themes of authenticity and identity. Following recent U.S. dates, the band begins a 40-show European tour this month, including at London’s Barbican. Wise Music UK exec Dirk Lange praised GoGo Penguin’s genre-defying sound and innovative writing, saying the group’s writers “created a distinctive musical voice that pushes musical boundaries with precision and depth.”