The Strokes, one of the most influential US rock bands of the past two decades, have signed a publishing deal for North America with BMG Chrysalis US, who now publish their catalog. The five-piece, New York City-based group has sold more than five million albums to date. Their most recent album, “Comedown Machine,” was released in early 2013.
Casper and Kraftklub, two of Germany’s most sought-after artists, have entrusted their publishing interests to BMG, too. Both signed worldwide exclusive songwriter and co-publishing agreements for their publishing companies 25/8 and BMK with Bertelsmann’s international rights management company. Maik Pallasch, Managing Director BMG GSA, said: “We are very happy to be working with Casper, Kraftklub and Beat from now on. The year couldn’t have started better.”
The Strokes
The band, comprised of Julian Casablancas (vocals), Nick Valensi (lead guitar), Albert Hammond, Jr. (rhythm guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass) and Fabrizio Moretti (drums), released their debut album “Is This It” in 2001 creating an immediate sensation and inspiring a new generation of post-punk bands. The album was certified platinum in the U.K., where it won both BRIT and NME awards and garnered the band a rabid international fanbase. In 2009, NME gave the album the top slot on their “Greatest Albums of the Decade” list, while Rolling Stone placed it second on a similar list. The Strokes went on to release the UK platinum certified “Room on Fire” in 2003 and then “First Impressions of Earth” in 2006, which entered the UK Albums chart at Number One.
Casper
Casper, widely regarded as Germany’s most versatile, genre-crossing musician, won the 2012 Echo music award in the category “Hip Hop – Urban” and has already secured the Number One slot in the German charts twice with his albums “XOXO” (2011) and “Hinterland” (2013). Both albums went gold, with “Xoxo” even shipping platinum. “Hinterland” was a huge success in Austria (No.1 in the charts) and Switzerland (No.3) as well.
Kraftclub
Kraftklub, who entered the German album charts directly at Number One with their debut album “Mit K” in 2012, also catch the zeitgeist with their music and lyrics. The Rock/Indie Band consisting of Felix, Karl, Till, Steffen and Max from Chemnitz, Germany, was formed in 2010 and has already won the 2013 “New Music Award” and “Echo Critic’s Award.”
