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Most other musicians, when they've been working for over half a century, are resting on their laurels, basking in the warm glow of their heritage, accepting the odd Lifetime Achievement Award, playing the odd Greatest Hits tour and concentrating on shifting their back catalogue. But Sparks are not most other musicians. They are utterly unique.

With the release of their 26th album,The Girl Is Crying In Her Latteon May 26Ron and Russell Maelcontinue on that unique and uncompromising path. And, in a move that is as unexpected as it is unsurprising, the new bold, genre defying, modern masterpiece will be released by Island Records, the label that released their astonishing breakthrough record Kimono My House in 1974. 

"Funny how things work! One of the most memorable periods for Sparks, the one that forever cemented our relationship with the UK and also exposed Sparks to a bigger audience around the world, was the 70s Island Records era. Chris Blackwell, Muff Winwood, and Co. went all in on our album, Kimono My House, and released a truly non-conventional first single, This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us. Their belief (and ours) proved right: that there was a place for both bold creativity and commerciality in pop music. And here we find ourselves in 2023, almost 50 years later, re-signing with Island Records, again with an album that we all feel is as bold and uncompromising as anything we did back then, or for that matter, anytime throughout our career. We're happy that after so much time, we've reconnected with Island, sharing the same spirit of adventure that we all had way back when, but with our new album, 'The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte.'"
Ron and Russell Mael


"Sparks have always been one of the most original, ground-breaking and creative groups in pop and their longevity is partly down to their ability to constantly reinvent themselves. It's an honour and thrill having Sparks back on Island. Next year it will be 50 years since Island released "Kimono My House". That album sounded like it came from the future and once again with "The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte", Ron & Russell have created a pop masterpiece that sounds like no one else."
Louis Bloom Island President

"Levels of interest in Sparks, worldwide, have never been so high. In part this is due to the releases of the Edgar Wright directed documentary The Sparks Brothers and Annette, the musical film Ron and Russell wrote, but it is also due to their seemingly inexhaustible creativity and sheer hard work. Each album is more ambitious, each tour larger and more far reaching. It was important to partner with a label who could match the band's ambition on a global scale."
Sue Harris Manager


To coincide with the
album release Sparks will take to the road for a world tour that will include 2 sold out headline shows at London's Royal Albert Hall and, in America, the soon-to-be-announced largest headline show of the band's career.

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMPF launches 4th edition of Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing

IMPF has launched the fourth edition of the Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing.Available here and sponsored by Musixmatch, it is the only report that looks exclusively at the independent music publishing industry and its international impact and position....more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

Sony Music Entertainment Germany launch new electronic music label 'noted. records'

The Berlin-based imprint will cater to electronic music artists globally First signing, Anfisa Letyago, to release new single today   Sony Music Entertainment (SME) Germany announced today the launch of 'noted. records', a global electronic music label with a commitment to cultivating electronic and...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

AIMP Statement on Spotify's Music-Audiobook Bundle

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) — including Michael Lau (National Chair and New York Chapter President), Marc Caruso (Los Angeles Chapter President), Ree Guyer (Nashville Chapter President), and Tony D. Alexander (Atlanta Chapter President) — issued the below statement on...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

6 new publishers elected to IMPF Board

Rosa M. Vizcaíno Gómez, Emily Stephenson, Claudia Mescoli, Cecilia Léon Rodrigo, Tatjana Bukvić and Denise Andrikopoulou newly elected at organisation’s 2024 General Assembly. IMPF (Independent Music Publishers International Forum) has elected a new College of members to its Board at the organisation’s...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Music Producers Guild Announces 2024 Awards Winners

Thursday 25th April. At an inspiring ceremony at The Troxy, London, The Music Producers Guild in association with Dolby & Mix with The Masters, announced the complete list of 2024 award winners. Now in its 16th year, the annual event, which recognises early talent, who later go on to...more

26 Apr 2024 | Press release

Co-op Live update

  Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans. To ensure that...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMS Business Report 2024

Dance Music industry now firmly in its post-pandemic growth phase with 17% revenue growth in 2023 and a total industry valuation reaching $11.8 billion.Independent labels increased their market share for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching 31%.The annual study of the electronic...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Pulse Music Group and hit songwriter/producer/artist Jon Bellion form publishing venture

  First signing between Beautiful Mind & PULSE Music Group is Elijah Noll PULSE Music Group Co-CEO’s Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham along with President/Head of Creative, Ashley Calhoun announced today that they have formed a music publishing creative joint venture...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Record Store Day, The Music Business Association and Luminate announce new partnership regarding physical music sales data across independent retail sector in the US

Luminate Now Receiving Independent Sales Data from StreetPulse Billboard Rebranding “Tastemaker Albums” Chart To Better Recognize Impact of Independent Store Sales Today, Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), and Department of Record Stores (DORS), who work together as Record Store Day, The Music Business Association,...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Absolue inks deal with Capitol Records Italy for Jack Savoretti album

  Absolute Label Services will handle release of Savoretti’s first ever Italian language LP in UK & Ireland. Absolute Label Services has agreed a deal with Universal/Capitol Records Italy for the release of Jack Savoretti’s first ever Italian language album. The deal covers...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library     First exhibition to document the 500-year musical journey of African and Caribbean people in Britain opens at the British Library and in local libraries across the UK  Soul...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

YolanDa Brown OBE DL becomes University of Kent’s new chancellor

  The University of Kent is delighted to announce that double-MOBO winning musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown OBE DL has been appointed to the role of Chancellor, succeeding Gavin Esler who has retired from the position after almost 10 years in the role. Having...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Festivals unite to extend fundraising prize draw closing date

WIN TICKETS TO OVER 60 OF THE UK & EUROPE’S MOST BELOVED FESTIVALS IN SUPPORT OF WAR CHILD AND MAP BOOMTOWN, LOVE SAVES THE DAY, PARKLIFE, ALL POINTS EAST, TRUCK, THE LONG ROAD, WIDE AWAKE AND MANY MORE   OVER £10,000 RAISED SO...more

25 Apr 2024 | Press release

Concord Music Publishing extends agreement with Jeremy Lutito, signs Jon Class under new JV partnership

  Today, Concord Music Publishing announced that they have extended and expanded their existing agreement with GRAMMY-nominated producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Lutito. This worldwide publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Lutito’s full catalog and all future works and launches a new joint venture partnership, Mezzanine,...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

TuneCore Expands Music Publishing Services and User Experience to Aid Independent Songwriters

TuneCore, the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has rolled out a comprehensive suite of music publishing services to help independent songwriters increase their earnings in over 200 countries.   Andreea Gleeson,...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Radio 2 in the Park 2024 to land in Preston

  Radio 2’s flagship annual live music event, Radio 2 in the Park, will take place this year in Moor Park in Preston, Lancashire on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September, as revealed this morning by Gaby Roslin on the Radio...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Como No – The UK’s Leading Latin Music Promoter – Announces New Director Amid Major Changes To Organisational Structure

Elena Beltrami is appointed as new Director of Como No & La Linea Festival as Founder Andy Wood steps back and becomes a Non-Executive board member   Como No, one of the world’s foremost Latin music promoters, today announces a significant change...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Liana Flores signs to Verve (US) and partners with Fiction (UK)

Releases highly anticipated new song ‘I Wish For The Rain’ Today, British-Brazilian artist Liana Flores is proud to announce that she is now signed to the iconic Verve Records (The Velvet Underground, Astrud Gilberto Kurt Vile, Arooj Aftab). Fiction Records (The...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Amazon Music returns to Primavera Sound to exclusively livestream the festival to audiences around the world

Amazon Music and Primavera Sound join forces for the third consecutive year Music fans around the world will be able to tune in to the event from 30th May – 1st June Primavera Sound will be broadcast in Spanish and English on the Amazon...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Black Lives in Music - Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry

UK Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry Harassment and Discrimination Allowed to Continue After Government Rejects Recommendations of the Misogyny in Music Report BLiM & CIISA amd more respond to the Government’s inaction CIISA cite BLiM's new...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Symphonic Distribution Hires Stephen Nightingale to Lead A&R and Business in Canada

  Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired music industry veteran Stephen Nightingale as Vice President, A&R and Business Development, Canada. Reporting to Symphonic’s Chief Creative Officer, Randall Foster, Nightingale will bring his...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Rock icon Dan P Carter joins Spinefarm as Director of Artist Development

Key appointments also made across UK Marketing Team Spinefarm Music Group, one of the most successful and best-known rock labels in the world, has announced a major global hire alongside a new UK marketing team. Dan P Carter, the longtime curator of...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Park Avenue Artists Expands Booking Division

New York multihyphenate agency signs new talent, brings on booking co-director in ongoing push to create a new model for arts agencies and management.  Park Avenue Artists has expanded both its artist roster and its executive team in its booking division....more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Meet Unisound: The ultimate matchmaker between sample buyers and sellers

  The market for sample packs is more saturated than ever–forcing modern sample libraries to make and market their sounds and leaving buyers to sift through endless sounds to find exactly what they are looking for.  That’s why Unisound created a platform that lets...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

Universal Music France and Binetou Sylla, founder of leading independent label Wèrè Wèrè Music partner to lead Def Jam Africa across French-speaking Africa

Universal Music France and producer Binetou Sylla form strategic relationship to lead Def Jam Africa, focusing on further developing French-speaking regional artists globally    Universal Music France (UMF), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music

  Focus on talent & education, fan engagement & innovation; and sustainability; Keynotes from Ed Newton-Rex, Fay Milton, Louis VI, and Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Secretary of State for DCMS. Panel contributions including by Rebecca Allen (EMI Records), Elton Jackson (Sony Music UK), Vabyanti Endrojono-Ellis...more

24 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Independent and Music Venue Trust launch major new initiative to support UK grassroots music venues

Main Stage will be led by Music Editor Roisin O’Connor alongside the Music Venue Trust 12 venues around the UK to be recognised over the next yearEach venue to receive editorial coverage and a free ad campaign on The Independent The Independent...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Nashville Signs Randall King to Global Deal

  Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the signing of West Texas native Randall King, celebrated by Holler as “the genre's neo-traditional figurehead,” to a global publishing agreement.  King has emerged as one of today’s most promising new voices in country music, amassing over...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

Nominations announced for the Ivors with Amazon Music 2024

Sampha and Yussef Dayes lead the way with two nominations each Composer Daniel Pemberton also receives two nominations across the screen categories  RAYE, CMAT, Yussef Dayes, Lankum and Sampha in the running for Best Album Jungle, The Japanese House, Jazzy and Kenya Grace...more

23 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Great Escape announces full conference line-up and schedule

NEW SPEAKERS INCLUDE WIRE'S COLIN NEWMAN, IZZY BEE PHILLIPS (BLACK HONEY) AND APPLE MUSIC HOST DOTTY    Today The Great Escape has announced the full line-up and schedule for its UK-leading music industry conference, returning to Brighton from Wednesday 15th to Saturday...more

26 Apr 2024

  • Should the state step in to save our live music scene? (see Features)

  • Gary Roden exits Co-op Live following troubled venue launch (see News)

25 Apr 2024

  • Spotify talks growth, bundle royalties and short-video plans (see Digital)

24 Apr 2024

  • BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music (see News)

23 Apr 2024

  • Hipgnosis Song Management fires back at Songs Fund board (see Business)

22 Apr 2024

  • Blackstone bid for Hipgnosis receives backing from board (see Business)

  • Taylor Swift’s new album breaks Spotify records (see News)

  • Independence - what’s up with that BPI press release about 2023 music consumption? (see Comment)

19 Apr 2024

  • Creator Remuneration Working Group meet for the first time (see News)

  • Concord's takeover of Hipgnosis (see Analysis)

18 Apr 2024

  • Concord set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Fund (see Business)

17 Apr 2024

  • Is the music industry gaslighting artists? (see Comment)

16 Apr 2024

  • BPI’s new Yearbook highlights an independent sector growing for a sixth consecutive year (see Reports)

  • Can’t cross the moat? Walk around it. (see Comment)

15 Apr 2024

  • The conversation around Fandom needs to change (see Opinion)

  • Viagogo: Carrying on ticketing, despite the controversy (see News)