Breakthrough Voisey Artist Signs to Island and Warner/Chappell 14 Sep 2020
poutyface Inks Major Recording and Publishing Deals
Olivia Knight, the artist known as poutyface, who gained significant profile through the music app Voisey, has signed long-term, global recording and publishing agreements with Island Records and Warner/Chappell Music.
This is the first major signing of talent that has emerged via Voisey, which allows users to record short videos using professional vocal effects and multi track vocals over backing tracks uploaded by bedroom and professional producers alike from all around the world.
Voisey is still in iOS only limited territories release, yet has seen huge and engagement since the global lockdown due to the simplicity of its audio processing technology and the incredibly creative, collaborative community that is springing up around it. Over 11 million songs have been recorded on Voisey so far, with plays in the app exceeding 200 million to date, suggesting huge potential scale via their imminent global rollout.
California-based poutyface was among the first unsigned artists to join Voisey’s beta-testing phase in 2019 while working in a San Diego grocery store, and despite the app not being publicly available outside Norway and the UK at the time, her quirky, original song hooks immediately connected with other users resulting in plays on Instagram and Facebook reaching almost 2 million in under 2 weeks.
poutyface said, “I hadn’t been able to write a song in years. In 2019, I spent most of my time in an industrial fridge, stacking milk crates for a job. I got invited to early access of Voisey, now its a year and 100+ Voiseys later, and I’m signed to Island Records, signed to Warner Chappell publishing, definitely out of my writers block and sort of pinching myself to check if this is real”
Voisey quickly spotted poutyface’s potential and brought her to the attention of Platoon founder and Voisey investor Denzyl Fiegelson who flew her to London last year to work on new material with a number of collaborators.
Olly Barnes, co-founder of Voisey said “We recognised very early that there was something special about Olivia. Her first few videos on Voisey connected phenomenally well, despite the platform being only weeks old at the time. We have proudly supported her evolution as an artist and can’t wait to see her continue to thrive creatively, both on and off Voisey, as she enters the next phase of her creative journey with Darcus and his team at Island and Warner Chappell.”
Darcus Beese, President of Island Records said, “Island first discovered poutyface on Voisey, a platform and community of talented artists and music makers in which poutyface stood out. Island is excited to welcome this innovative and prolific young artist to our family.” - Darcus Beese, President and CEO, Island Records.
For more information and to hear poutyface please visit her Instagram : @whoispoutyface
NEWS & PRESS
Introducing bulletin board: a new way for TikTok creators to communicate with their fans and build community
Today we're announcing the launch of bulletin board, a new in-app channel which helps creators communicate and share content directly with their fans and followers. Bulletin board is a one-to-many broadcast channel, making it quick and easy for creators to post...more
The MOBO Group and Greene King Partner Together to Open 'House of MOBO' Pub in South London
'The House of MOBO' in Gipsy Hill will be a home for culture, community and collaboration in hospitalityThe pub reopens on Thursday 27 November as a ready to serve the local community The MOBO Group and Greene King have today announced...more
Ezra Collective's Femi Koleoso joins BBC Radio 6 Music
Femi Koleoso, bandleader and drummer for the BRIT Award and Mercury Prize winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective, will join BBC Radio 6 Music as a regular presenter, hosting The People's Party on Fridays (7-9pm) from 2nd January 2026. The show, broadcast from MediaCity UK,...more
80 performing arts organisations commit to PIPA pledge in landmark commitment to parents and carers
ROSALIE CRAIG, RAKIE AYOLA, EMMY THE GREAT, SOPHIA DI MARTINO AND INDUSTRY LEADERS SUPPORT PIPA PLEDGE To mark its 10th anniversary, Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) proudly announces the launch of the PiPA Pledge – a new initiative inviting...more
Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Radiohead and Sam Fender lead calls for PM to honour pledge for ticket resale price cap
Some of the biggest names in music have come together with groups representing consumers and the industry to call on Sir Keir Starmer to honour his pledge to protect fans from online ticket touts. For years, genuine fans have been fleeced...more
Texas alt-rock band Culture Wars sign to Primary Talent International
Texas alt-rock band Culture Wars have signed with Matt Bates at Primary Talent International for worldwide booking representation (excluding North America) and have sold out their first London show at the O2 Academy Islington. The Texas native band, known for...more
Vevo Announces Highly Acclaimed "DSCVR Artists to Watch" List for 2026
Annual taste-maker program highlights emerging global artists poised to break through in the year ahead Gigi Perez is named "DSCVR Artist of the Year", releases exclusive performance of "Fable" Vevo, the world's leading music video network, today released the complete list for...more
Charlie Lexton appointed CEO, Merlin
Merlin, the digital rights agency for the world's leading independent labels and distributors, today announced the appointment of Charlie Lexton as its CEO, effective 1 January 2026. Lexton, who succeeds Jeremy Sirota, has worked for Merlin since its inception, initially alongside...more
22 UK festivals awarded free AIF memberships and marketing support through Skiddle partnership
The UK’s independent festival scene has received a major boost as 22 grassroots festivals are announced as recipients of an industry-first support scheme from Skiddle and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF). The initiative, created to champion and sustain the UK’s thriving...more
Warner Records Group elevates Gregg Nadel to President of A&R
Widely-Respected Executive Joins Central Leadership Team in Newly Created Role Widely respected music executive Gregg Nadel has been elevated to a senior leadership position at Warner Records Group in the newly created central role of President of A&R. Based in Los...more
TuneCore’s independent artists surpass $5 billion earned
The leading independent artist development platform announced that artists who distribute through TuneCore have now earned over $5 billion since the company’s founding nearly 20 years ago—marking a historic milestone and the first public achievement of its kind among distributors...more
BSI Merch Unveils Artist Services Strategy
Company Rebrands as BSI Merch & Artist Services New Division BSI Music Announces Still Pigeon as First Signing UK-based music merchandise and e-commerce specialist BSI Merch has rebranded as BSI Merch & Artist Services, marking an exciting new chapter for the company...more
New Report Reveals UK Music Industry Contributes Record £8 Billion To UK Economy
UK music contribution to the UK economy in 2024 hit a record £8 billion. UK music exports revenue in 2024 reaches new high of £4.8 billion. Total UK music industry employment in 2024 rises to record high of 220,000. UK Music, the collective voice...more
NIC Hike Hammers Jobs: NTIA Slams Government Over Rising Unemployment
Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association: “The latest ONS figures are deeply concerning. A rise in unemployment to 5%, the highest in four years, is a stark signal that the Government’s current approach is failing to support job - particularly...more
Public voting for the European Festival Awards 2025 has begun
TICKETS FOR THE EUROPEAN FESTIVAL AWARDS 2025 GO ON SALE ON NOVEMBER 11th The public voting for the 15th edition of the European Festival Awards is open until Thursday, November 20th. During this period, the public can vote for their favourite Festival...more
Jeremy Vuernick named EVP, Atlantic Music Group
London-based Exec to Work Across UK & US Teams to Sign & Develop Transatlantic Talent Accomplished A&R leader Jeremy Vuernick has been named Executive Vice President, Atlantic Music Group (AMG), joining AMG's global leadership team. In this new post, reporting jointly...more
BPI invites tenders for its member training programme
Proposals to be received by 5th December 2025 deadline The BPI, the representative voice for the UK’s world-leading record companies and label businesses, is from today inviting tenders from organisations or individuals who would be interested to meet all or part of its...more
Rough Trade Announce First Global Edition Of Albums Of The Year For 2025
VIAGRA BOYS FIRST SELF-RELEASED ALBUM 'VIAGR ABOYS' TAKES NO.1 SPOT IN THE TOP 30 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR ALSO FEATURINGOKLOU, PULP, TURNSTILE, HAYLEY WILLIAMS, CAMERON WINTER, CMAT, HOTWAX, GEESE, JEHNNY BETH, BON IVER, MATT BERNINGER + MANY MORE LIMITED EDITION VINYL RELEASES EXCLUSIVELY FOR ROUGH...more
Kodak Black Pioneers the Future of Fandom: $YAK Coin x Audius
Rap superstar Kodak Black announced today that he has teamed up with the music discovery platform and marketplace, Audius to launch a next generation fanclub powered by his very own Artist Coin, $YAK. $YAK holders will gain exclusive access to...more
Cris Lacy Named Chair & President of Newly Rebranded Warner Records Nashville
In the latest move in the expansion of the Warner Records Group, Cris Lacy has been named Chair & President of the newly rebranded Warner Records Nashville, formerly known as Warner Music Nashville. In this post, she reports to Warner...more
Sam Fender donates Mercury Prize money to Music Venue Trust
Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of the UK’s grassroots music venues (GMVs), today announces that Sam Fender has donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to MVT to support its ongoing work protecting and securing the future...more
The Ivors Academy launches new commissioning templates for classical composers
Just ahead of The Ivors Classical Awards tonight, The Ivors Academy has launched new commissioning template agreements for composers working in classical music. Clear and practical commissioning agreements help new music be created on fair and equitable terms. Created by legal...more
The Sabres of Paradise withdraw music from Spotify over ethical and artistic concerns
Independent artists The Sabres of Paradise have removed their music from Spotify, citing ongoing concerns surrounding artist compensation, creative independence, and ethical accountability within the platform’s leadership. “Spotify’s algorithmic business model undervalues artists and underserves fans. Furthermore, its leadership’s financial involvement...more
IMPEL continues growth with five new members
Wings Music Group, Afro Soundtrack, Elite Embassy Publishing, Perfectly Formed Songs and Full Thought Publishing join the IMPEL Collective IMPEL has recently expanded its membership and global reach by adding five new members, welcoming Afro Soundtrack from Nigeria, Elite Embassy Publishing...more
UK music promoter diversity database launches
AIP-driven project developed in association with Women In CTRL, LOUDWOMEN, Black Lives In Music, MVT, AIF, AIE, LIVE, FAC, Attitude Is Everything, Tonic Music, UK Music and Come Play With Me. Database can be found on the AIP site. The Association of Independent Promoters...more
Universal Music Group’s Global Impact Team expands ‘Sounds of the Future’ programme to the UK
LAUNCHES WITH IMMERSIVE GALLERY HONOURING BLACK CULTURE AND ARTISTRY, CURATED BY DR ALEEMA GRAY PARTNERS WITH THE BLACK MUSIC COALITION ON INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME Universal Music Group’s (UMG’s) Global Impact Team (GIT) has announced the expansion of the company’s Sounds of the Future (SotF) programme...more
UK Music Pays Tribute to “Outstanding” Chair Lord Watson as Peer Announces Decision to Stand Down from Role as Industry Leader
UK Music paid tribute to Lord (Tom) Watson after the peer confirmed he is to stand down as UK Music Chair after six years leading the industry body which champions and campaigns for the sector. Lord Watson of Wyre Forest...more
Catherine Anne Davies (aka The Anchoress), Jess Smyth (aka Biig Piig) and Rina Sawayama elected to the FAC board
Following an Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) is delighted to announce the election of Catherine Anne Davies (aka The Anchoress), Jess Smyth (aka Biig Piig) and Rina Sawayama as board directors. All are hugely respected for their...more
“Music To Your Ears” Podcast Explores the Future of Music Marketing and Promotion
Music To Your Ears a new music podcast that takes a deep dive into the evolving strategies, tools, and stories shaping modern music promotion has launched it’s first three episodes. The show is produced by Mil3s Entertainment and sponsored by...more
BPI comment: British music hits high note at Grammy nominations
Sophie Jones, Chief Strategy Officer, BPI (British Phonographic Industry) said:“The brilliant showing of British artists in the Grammy nominations, including by a next generation of global breakthrough talent like Olivia Dean, Lola Young, PinkPantheress, Sleep Token, FLO and Yungblud, is a...more
THE HEADLINES
What are pop-up shows teaching us about building fandom in 2025? (see Analysis)
How much AI will audiences accept in music and movies? (see Analysis)
Stars urge Kier Starmer to tackle ‘pernicious’ ticket tout websites (see News)
Report reveals UK music industry contributes record £8bn to UK economy. (see Reports)
Deezer publishes survey on AI music (see Reports)
Songs are going viral faster than ever — but fewer are becoming streaming hits (see Analysis)
The music we should save is the music AI needs the most (see Comment)
The Council Of Music Makers: Put music-makers first in AI deals (see News)
The future of music marketing is no marketing at all (see Features)
AIM states that the independents’ voice is now louder, clearer and impossible to ignore (see News)
Secondary price caps and figuring out fact vs. fiction (see Comment)
Spotify responds to RBX lawsuit over ‘fake’ Drake streams (see Digital)
Spotify perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price (see Features)
Remasters, deluxe editions and greatest hits show back catalogues are a goldmine (see Features)
