UMA wraps up 2nd Bliss Songwriting Invitational

Respected music business executives Michael Taylor (MD of Universal Music Australia) and Peter Coquillard (Music Publisher and Industry Veteran), co-founders of The Invitational Group, recently wrapped their second annual BLISS Songwriting Invitational on October 17th. The Invitational Group curates events that inspire genuine collaborations between the industry’s elite recording artists, producers and songwriters.

This year, the exclusive group included: Kesha (multiplatinum recording artist), Sacha Skarbek (Grammy nominated and 2-time Ivor Novello winning writer of Wrecking Ball for Miley Cyrus and You’re Beautiful for James Blunt), and Mitch Allan, writer of the US and UK #1 hit Want to Want Me for Jason Derulo.

Music studios were built aboard a 45-meter yacht called the BLISS, owned by Tom Misner, founder of the Schools of Audio Engineering, which was docked this year in Antibes, France.

The group also included Mollie King, member of the chart-topping UK band The Saturdays, who worked on songs for her upcoming solo project with producers and writers such as Taylor Parks (Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony), Stuart Crichton (Selena Gomez, Kylie Minogue), and Chelcee Grimes (Kylie Minogue, Jessie J). Brit Award winning songwriter of the year James Newman, who recently worked with UK band Rudimental on a single featuring Ed Sheeran, also attended. Rudimental’s album debuted at #1 the day before his arrival in Antibes.

Also in attendance were Jamie Hartman (BMI and Ivor Novello award winning writer/producer of James Bay and Conrad Sewell), Matt Simons (#1 artist in Belgium and Netherlands, working on his debut album for Universal Republic US), Erik Lewander (Girl’s Generation) and Tushar Apte, a breakout producer whose single Zero with Chris Brown is currently climbing the charts.

Attendees collaborated on songs in the custom music studios using top quality instruments and equipment provided by PMC Speakers and ROLI. Guests also used their personally monogrammed pens provided by CROSS, to write lyrics and concepts while lounging in the CROSS Creative Lounge.

Social engagements and activities were also enjoyed, such as a dinner hosted by SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) at local gourmet restaurant Le Jardin. Chad Richardson, general manager of SOCAN’s Los Angeles division, was in attendance to act as an ambassador and discuss opportunities for collaborations between Canadian, American, and European writers.