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Big Machine signs sub-publishing deal with Peermusic

By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 2 March 2021

Independent music firm Big Machine has announced a new deal with Peermusic which will see the latter sub-publish the former’s song rights catalogue outside the US. In the States, Big Machine Music – as the Nashville-based company’s publishing division is known – will continue to administer its own catalogue.

“We see in Peermusic a reflection of our own independent spirit and dedication to delivering personalised service to our songwriters”, says Mike Molinar, General Manager of Big Machine Music. “The international team … shares our business and creative values and we look forward to working with [them]”.

Nigel Elderton, President of Peermusic Europe, adds: “The Big Machine Music team put their service to their clients first and foremost – we share that ethos. What the Big Machine Music team have built in the past eight years is phenomenal. They are exceptional music publishers that have developed a rich catalogue, overflowing with hits. We are THRILLED to partner with them for global sub-publishing”.

The wider Big Machine Label Group, of course, was sold by founder Scott Borchetta to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2019. Much to the horror, you’ll recall, of the label’s biggest artist Taylor Swift – who had by then moved on to a new deal with Universal Music, but was very unhappy that Braun now basically owned the master rights in most of her albums.

However, Big Machine no longer has any stake in Swift’s music at all, as her recordings catalogue was subsequently sold to private equity outfit Shamrock Holdings last year.

Swift’s songs were not published by Big Machine anyway, so would not have been covered by this new deal even if the label still owned her master rights. Songs that are in Big Machine’s publishing catalogue, in case you’re interested, include recent country hit ‘Better Together’ by Luke McCombs.