Ian Montone’s music-management company Monotone, Inc. and independent music publisher Mothership Music, jointly led by Lionel Conway and Brett Gurewitz, have launched Monotone Music Publishing. This non-exclusive, worldwide joint venture brings together the skillsets of three respected figures in the music business.
“I wanted to create a publishing company that leverages all the resources, experience and information we have at Monotone—and use them to the benefit of the artists we sign, in conjunction with their teams,” Montone explains. “I don’t want to be a publishing company that just sits on the sidelines and collects publishing money. I want to make things happen for the artists we work with, and I firmly believe we’re in a position to do just that. Lionel’s A&R pedigree as a publisher and as a record man with Chris Blackwell is unparalleled. I have same level of respect for Brett. They’re music lovers with great taste and boundless energy.”
“Ian is one of the best at developing talent, he has superb taste and his roster speaks for itself,” says Conway. “Brett and I share the same philosophy of finding and nurturing talent, so it’s a perfect marriage, and we’re really excited to be working with him and his great company. Our first signing, Autolux, is a prime example of the artists we want for [ Monotone Music Publishing ].”
Gurewitz seconds that emotion. “It’s a thrill to be joining up with Ian,” he says. “He has always had a singular ability to discover exceptional artists and help them achieve their vision. I’m proud of the fact that our first signing is the amazing group Autolux.”
The apt selection of the Monotone-managed, Mothership-published Autolux as the new company’s flagship client enables the three principals to collaborate on a shared passion. Pussy’s Dead, the L.A.-based trio’s third album, and their first in six years, was released April 1 on Danger Mouse’s 30th Century Records. Line of Best Fit hails the LP as “a noisey, unsettled batch of songs that sing the praises of being yourself amidst life’s shadows, and the haunting dreams that linger there.”
“Autolux don’t release albums frequently,” Montone notes, “but whenever they do, it’s culturally significant, as they push the boundaries of music and art. Their new album is incredible.”
Photo from mothershipmusicpublishing.com.
For more information, visit mothershipmusicpublishing.com.
