Iva Davies strikes Icehouse deal with Universal

07 April 2011

by Poppy Reid

Less than two months after Icehouse member, Iva Davies struck a worldwide admin deal with music publisher Kobalt, the artist has entered a sales / distribution partnership with Universal Music Australia.

Kicking off the deal between UMA and Davies is the announcement that the first release will be a 30^th anniversary edition of the band’s first full-length album, Icehouse. The debut was released in 1980 under their former moniker, Flowers but the 30^th Anniversary Edition will be the first of any of Icehouse’s catalogue to be distributed digitally.

Davies said the excitement shown by Universal about his band's catalogue was one of the contributing factors for the switch in distributors. He said: “As can be imagined the Icehouse catalogue is very important to me and all those who took part in its creation. George Ash (Managing Director of Universal Music Australia) and Universal showed that they understand the excitement around new models of getting music to fans plus demonstrated a rare combination of being a big company which is also able to take a personal approach."

Compiled over three discs, the release will feature the original album (remastered, with three bonus tracks), a 19-track, 75 minute disc of live recordings including versions of Iggy Pop’s Funtime, The Easybeats’ Sorry, John Lennon’s Cold Turkey and Ultravox’s Man Who Dies Every Day, as well as the renditions of all tracks from the Icehouse album and a DVD of rare live footage. The album will be out Friday May 20.

The Kobalt partnership, which ended the artist’s long-time association with EMI Music Publishing, has since ignited the sync placement for Icehouse’s hits like Can’t Help Myself and We Can Get Together.