Multiple artists split from "Sony Music Australia", Pat Handlin plots next move with Kyle Sandilands? (Exclusive)
Multiple chart-busting acts have vanished from "Sony Music Australia’s" roster as one of its former executives, Pat Handlin, readies to make a comeback after leaving the label, "The Music Network" can reveal.
Among the high-profile names that will no longer release new recordings with the major are hitmakers Samantha Jade, The Veronicas, Illy and LDRU, according to multiple sources. "The Music Network" understands that Illy and LDRU, who both enjoyed a string of hits during their respective stints at "Sony Music Australia", have already signed to a rival label ahead of new music releases this year.
The latest roster shake-up follows the defection of Dami Im to "ABC Music" in august 2020 and Jessica Mauboy to "Warner Music Australia" four months later. The latter ended a 14-year association that began after the singer appeared on season 4 of "Australian Idol". When announcing her new deal with "Warner Music Australia", Mauboy said she will be “forever grateful” for her time with "Sony Music Australia".
There is also industry speculation that Jade could be among the first signings of a new pact between "Sony Music Australia’s" former vice president of A&R, Pat Handlin, and radio shock jock, Kyle Sandilands. Sandilands’ reps told "The Music Network" that an announcement will be made soon.
Multiple sources also told "The Music Network" that Handlin is eagerly courting global chart-topper The Kid Laroi in a bid to become the wunderkind’s fourth manager. Laroi made headlines this month when it was revealed that he had cut ties with Adam Leber, his third manager since becoming hot property. The pair worked together for less than a year.
He is currently in Australia for his first national headline tour which begins in Sydney on thursday.
Laroi signed a development deal with "Sony Music Australia", aged 12, and worked closely with Handlin and the label’s former vice president of cultural marketing & artist development, Petrina Convey. "The First Nations" rapper went on to sign a global deal with "Columbia Records" and in February last year became the youngest australian solo artist to hit number #1 on the "ARIA" albums chart.
Handlin’s exit from "Sony Music Australia" was confirmed by reps from the record company last august. It followed the departure of Handlin’s father, Denis, from the same company in june 2021, after a very public investigation into "Sony Music Australia’s" workplace culture.
"The Music Network" is not suggesting any wrongdoing by either Pat Handlin or Denis Handlin and the results of "Sony’s" investigation have not been made public.
Sandilands was among a very small cohort of media personalities to openly downplay some of the claims that were included in an explosive "Four Corners" exposé that aired on ABC TV about the ex-"Sony Music Australia" boss, the company’s culture and some of its former executives.
Denis and other ousted executives, have denied the accusations levied against them.
The program delved into the rise and fall of Denis, as well as the toxic culture within the major record label under his leadership. It included claims of bullying, harassment, intimidation and abuse, as well a story about a sexual assault survivor leaving the organisation with an 80 000 dollars payout while the alleged perpetrator continued with the company for years:
“Oh, so the guy [Handlin] was a bit of a grog monster and yelled in the 80s. Big deal.”
Sandilands said on his breakfast show after the ABC TV program aired:
“[People said he was horrible] and i was like: "Okay, what’s he done? I’m waiting? Where is it?". He would belittle people. So what? Big deal. Like some angry boss screamed and belittled people. Get over it.”
"Sony Music Australia" is yet to hire a new CEO to lead its australian operations.
Credit: [X]
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