Neil Young has reportedly sold a 50% stake of his songwriting catalog to the Hipgnosis Songs Fund. Hipgnosis is a song investment and management company founded by long-time music manager, Merck Mercuriadis and Chic guitarist and Daft Punk collaborator, Nile Rodgers in 2018. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange later that year. Approximately 1200 of Neil Young’s songs were purchased in the deal. Although the financial terms were not disclosed, the size of the deal is estimated to be over $100mm.
Young was in the rare position of owning both the publisher’s share and the artist’s share of his songwriting catalog and has been notoriously conservative about allowing for commercial use of his music. Reports indicate that he will retain some control over the administration of his work but no details have been confirmed by either party.
Nile Rodgers (left) & Merck Mercuriadis
Young’s catalog is the newest addition to Hipgnosis but the acquisitions of the catalogs of Lindsey Buckingham and the production royalties of Jimmy Iovine were announced only a few days prior. Hipgnosis has been acquiring numerous songwriting catalogs and other assets over the past two years including those of Skrillex, Timbaland, The Chainsmokers, Blondie, 50 Cent and many more.
Happy Holidays on behalf of the whole Gigmor team! 2020 is nearly behind us and that means that it’s officially holiday music season. We’ve put together a festive playlist of holiday music on Spotify from a few exceptionally talented Gigmor artists that we’re sure you will enjoy!
If you’re a Gigmor artist and would like to hear YOUR holiday music on this playlist, just enter your song’s Spotify link and your Gigmor profile URL on this form.
Good riddance, 2020! We’ll see the rest of you in ’21!
It’s that time of the year again. When friends and family gather together to celebrate the winter holiday that is Christmas. I love the holiday season, everyone is so cheerful, there’s decorations everywhere, there is just something in the air that makes the month of December so merry. And lets not forget about the wonderful Christmas music that we hear everywhere we go. I will be listing my favorite Christmas songs that I have playing on repeat during this time, and hopefully you will give them a listen and enjoy them as much as I do.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Starting off with one of the most played Christmas songs in existence, Mariah Carey seems to re-emerge from the musical grave once a year when everyone in the world plays this song. I’ll be the first to admit that no song quite gets me in the Christmas spirit as much as this beautiful rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Carey’s voice is so powerful and does such an amazing job in putting you in a cheerful and loving mood.
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen
The BOSS’s version of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” lights every Christmas emotion within me and releases it in a rock and roll Christmas jam! It is impossible to listen to this and not sing along with Bruce singing at the top of your lungs. I love this song so much, it makes me feel like a kid again and get excited for Santa Claus to come.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson slows things down in this song, making you ponder on the good things in your life and appreciate your family and friends that you have in your life as you listen. Clarkson’s version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is such a heartwarming and comforting song that makes you realize the real meaning of Christmas and the holiday season.
“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
“Jingle Bell Rock” might be the most perfect song for any Christmas party, it’s an upbeat groovy song that will get you dancing. Pour yourself some eggnog, invite some friends over and have a ball. This is the time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of real life and take a moment to enjoy those around you.
“Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
This song is absolutely wonderful, and joyful. Such a cheerful tune, great chorus to sing along to, beautiful melody and great lyrics to get you excited for the Christmas season.
“White Christmas” by Eric Clapton
Leave it to Clapton to take a classic Christmas song and add some awesome blues guitar riffs to it. Clapton’s entire Christmas album is fantastic and every song is stunning especially if you are a big rock or blues fan such as myself. Clapton takes these traditional holiday songs and makes them rock and roll which is really everything I want out of a Christmas song. I highly encourage you to listen to any Clapton Christmas song, but this one in particular is my favorite.
“Last Christmas” by Wham!
There is no better example that best represents the 80’s contribution to Christmas songs than “Last Christmas” by Wham!, the vocals are truly exceptional and the music is perfect. You can’t help but sing along.
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid
Before Live Aid, this song was the original plan for musicians to help raise money for the starving children in Africa. Band Aid was made up of some of the most talented and popular musicians of the time. They all joined together to create a musical masterpiece that would become something so much bigger than a Christmas song. The song itself is fantastic, the melodies and musical arrangements are lovely, the singing is so great and you get a little taste of all your favorite 80’s singers in one song. This might be one of the most famous and monumental collaborations between musicians in a song in history.
“Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney
This is my personal favorite Christmas song. As soon as December rolls around this song will be played in my house non stop. It’s such an unusual sounding song but its the uniqueness that makes you enjoy it. Plus how could you go wrong with a Paul McCartney song lets be honest everything he creates is amazing.
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams
Andy Williams perfectly describes why Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. As soon as this song starts playing you can’t help but think of all the great things that come with this time of year.
These are some of my favorite Christmas songs to listen to each and every year. They all do such a good job in getting me in the Christmas spirit and remembering the true meaning of Christmas which is to appreciate what you have and all of the wonderful people in your life, this is the season to spend time with those people and take a step back from real life for a moment and enjoy the little things.
Spotify Playlist with all my favorite christmas songs:
