Former Suede songwriter, guitarist and producer Bernard Butler has signed a worldwide deal with Warner/Chappell Music.
The agreement covers Butler’s catalog and future songwriting.
Butler co-wrote the UK No.1 and Mercury Music Prize-winning debut album by English rock band Suede, which was released in March 1993.
In addition to his on-going production and songwriting work, Butler has become a resident Songwriting Tutor at BIMM London.
Butler also co-wrote every song on Suede’s second album Dog Man Star, which charted at No.3 in the UK in 1994 and was certified gold within a month of release.
Following his departure from Suede, Butler released two Top 10 albums in collaboration with singer David McAlmont – The Sound of McAlmont and Butler, and Bring It Back, in 1995 and 2002 respectively.
The duo’s single Yes was a Top 10 UK hit in 1995 and sold more than 140,000 copies.
In 1998, Butler released his debut solo album, People Move On. He wrote, produced and played almost every instrument on the record, which earned him a BRIT Award nomination for Best Male.
In 2005, he reunited with Suede lead singer Brett Anderson to form The Tears and released the album, Here Come The Tears, which charted at No.15 in the UK.
“[Warner/Chappell] can see that I have always been driven by new possibilities. That is what excites me most about our relationship.”
Bernard Butler
As a producer, Butler worked on the seminal Rough Trade EPs by The Libertines, What A Waster and Don’t Look Back Into The Sun.
He also co-wrote and produced Tricky’s comeback Knowle West Boy and has either co-written or produced for the likes of Edwyn Collins, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Aimee Mann, Texas, James Morrison, Mull Historical Society and Paloma Faith.
Meanwhile, Butler worked extensively with Duffy in 2008, co-writing and producing the title track to her multi-million-selling debut album Rockferry, which remains separately published by BMG.
Butler went on to co-write much of her debut and film compositions culminating in winning 2009’s Best Producer Award at The Brits and Best Producer by the MMF.
“He’s written songs that have been part of the soundtrack of my life, and he’s as innovative and exciting today as he’s ever been.”
Mike Smith, Warner/Chappell UK
Recent collaborations include touring with Ben Watt, Mark Eitzel’s Hey Mr Ferryman, and the recent completion of folk artist Sam Lee’s forthcoming 2019 album.
Butler also spent many years playing with the late Bert Jansch and stands as Patron to the Bert Jansch Foundation.
As a guitarist, he has played both on stage and in the studio with the likes of Robert Plant, Paul Weller, Neneh Cherry, Roy Orbison, Sparks, Edwyn Collins and Nerina Pallot.
Bernard Butler said: “We met and talked – for a very long time – about music, art, and creative ideas.
“From those meetings, it was clear that whilst Mike and Rob could acknowledge the strength of my catalogue, we shared a vision for the future.
“They can see that I have always been driven by new possibilities. That is what excites me most about our relationship.”
“There’s so much for us to be working on across his back catalog, but we’re also looking forward to supporting his continuing writing career.”
Rob Owen, Warner/Chappell Music UK
Rob Owen, VP, Creative, Catalogue and Marketing, Warner/Chappell Music UK, added: “I’ve always thought that Bernard is an exceptional talent across so many disciplines: as a musician, a songwriter, a producer and, of course, as an artist in his own right.
“There’s so much for us to be working on across his back catalog, but we’re also looking forward to supporting his continuing writing career.”
Mike Smith, Managing Director, Warner/Chappell UK, said: “I’m so delighted that Bernard is going to be working with us.
“He’s written songs that have been part of the soundtrack of my life, and he’s as innovative and exciting today as he’s ever been.”
Last week Warner Music Group officially confirmed that long-time Sony/ATV exec Guy Moot is to become CEO and co-Chair of Warner/Chappell alongside Carianne Marshall, who is now promoted to COO and co-Chair after joining the Los Angeles-based music publisher as COO last year.
Pictured [Left to Right]: Rob Owen (VP, Creative, Catalogue and Marketing, Warner/Chappell Music UK), Bernard Butler and Mike Smith (MD, Warner/Chappell Music UK).
Music Business Worldwide
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