The fast-rising bonkers Montreal rock duo Angine de Poitrine, whose popularity soared after a live KEXP session, have inked an exclusive publishing deal with independent music publisher Third Side Music, which will represent their catalog worldwide, working closely with the band and their management, Spectacles Bonzaï. The duo — brothers Khn de Poitrine and Klek de Poitrine — join a roster that includes Sofi Tukker, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Sky Ferreira, Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Wolf Parade, Waxahatchee, and others.
“We’re so excited to be part of the Angine de Poitrine team and get to work with the band and the Spectacles Bonzaï crew,” said Jeff Waye, Third Side co-founder and COO. “As a company that also has head offices in Quebec, it’s a natural fit to continue to help shine an international light on the amazing music that comes out of this region.”
“Tqa grrrge pept qrrr Quglozra’zra’ druqqpu” du grrrge,” Khn and Klek added (which, according to the announcement, loosely translates as “Three sides is the perfect amount of sides”). The group is on tour in Europe and North America all summer, including a date opening for Jack White at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto on July 14.
+ Americana duo the War And Treaty have inked with Atlantic Outpost and will make their label debut with their fifth studio album, “The Story of Michael and Tanya,” arriving on June 19. The two-time Grammy nominees are scheduled to celebrate the album with a special headlining show at Nashville historic Ryman Auditorium on September 13.
+ United Talent Agency has signed multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winners Rawayana for global representation in all areas. The signing follows the launch of the group’s “¿Dónde es el after?” world tour, named after the Venezuelan group’s seventh and latest album, across Latin America, North America and Europe. The group continues to be represented by Sound of Light Entertainment and Brocoli Records.
+ Korea-based powerhouse Hybe has launched a new label, ABD — standing for “a bold dream” — focused on girl groups. According to the announcement, the new label “aims to pursue the intrinsic joy of music while exploring new possibilities and expanding the horizons of K-pop,” and “aligns with Hybe’s multi-label strategy, which champions creative independence and autonomy within its broader support framework.” The label’s president is Jiwon No, previously head of artist planning at Pledis; its first release is expected in the second half of this year.
+ Kobalt has promoted Leslie Ahrens to the position of managing director and executive vice president of creative, Latin America at the company, taking over for Nestor Casonu, who is stepping down from his longtime role as president, Latin America.
Ahrens, who joined Kobalt in 2014, will report to Kobalt President and Chief Commercial Officer Jeannette Perez, and take on a dual creative and operational mandate across the Latin American region, according to the announcement.
Perez said, “Leslie is a powerhouse whose deep-rooted relationships and fierce advocacy for songwriters have been foundational to our success in the region. This promotion is a natural evolution of her leadership; we have the utmost trust in her ability to marry creative excellence with operational precision.”
Ahrens will continue to manage Kobalt’s Latin American roster, which includes Karol G, Ovy on the Drums, Arcángel, Prince Royce, Anuel AA, Carlos Vives, Rubén Blades, Enrique Iglesias and others.
Ahrens added, “I’m incredibly grateful to Nestor for his leadership, vision, and unwavering support over the years. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping my career and preparing me for this moment.” Perez said, “We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to Nestor Casonu for his incredible steerage over the past 11 years. Nestor was the architect of our Latin division, building a world-class team and a formidable roster from the ground up. He leaves behind a legacy of success that serves as the perfect springboard for this next chapter.”
Also at Kobalt, May-Ling Mediavilla has been promoted to VP and GM LatAm at Kobalt; and Lea Moussa has been promoted to VP of business development LatAm. All three executives are based in Kobalt’s Miami, FL offices.
+ Big Loud Rock has signed artist-songwriter-producer Mod Sun, whose label debut is the song “Mirror.”
“Mod Sun is a rare talent who has established himself by staying completely true to his vision,” Big Loud Rock President Joey Moi said. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with him for this next chapter of his life and music.”
+ We Are Moving the Needle, the nonprofit intended to advance female and non-binary producers and engineers, has partnered with the Los Angeles Academy of Artists and Music Production again to offer four in-person scholarships for rising producers and songwriters.
LAAMP is a one-year intensive program in Santa Monica for artists, producers, and songwriters in contemporary popular music, led by multiplatinum songwriter-producer Stargate. The program takes place at the organization’s headquarters in Santa Monica, California; it is an in-residence program, and recipients are expected to be in Los Angeles for the full nin-month duration of the program. Award notifications will be sent on June 22, 2026.
The scholarships are: one full scholarship for producer/engineer and one full scholarship for songwriter/producer; and one partial scholarship for producer/engineer and one partial scholarship for songwriter/producer. For details see wearemovingtheneedle.org
+ The Black Music Action Coalition, in partnership with Live Nation, has announced that applications are now open for the third year of the BMAC Live Accelerator Program, continuing a program that has supported 40 emerging music business professionals toward careers in live music.
Powered by Live Nation’s School of Live, the program provides 20 participants with an all-expenses-paid, week-long experience focused on career pathways in the live music industry. The 2026 program will take place July 13–17 in Los Angeles. Applications open May 4 and close May 15, with selected participants notified by June 18, 2026.
Upon completion of the program, participants have the opportunity to apply for paid, part-time internship positions at Live Nation, available exclusively to the BMAC Live cohort.
To learn more about the BMAC Live Accelerator Program and apply for the 2026 cohort, visit www.bmacoalition.org/bmaclivenation.
+ Warner Music México has signed long-running regional Mexican outfit Los Alegres del Barranco. Formed in 2005, the Sinaloa quartet has maintained its original lineup throughout its career. The group released its first single with the label, “De Los Dientes Pa’ Fuera,” on May 1, featuring Edgardo Nuñez and Los Farmerz.
“Los Alegres del Barranco are true pioneers of regional Mexican music, with a legacy built on authenticity, consistency, and cultural impact,” said Rubén Abraham, GM of Música Mexicana for Warner Music México..”
+ Paladin Artists has named industry veteran Rick Levy as CEO. The company also confirmed it is in advanced discussions to acquire Entourage Talent Associates, the New York-based boutique agency founded by veteran agent Wayne Forte.
Levy previously served as a founding partner, COO and general counsel of ICM Partners. He later served as Interim CEO of Just For Laughs/Juste Pour Rire and remains a partner in London-based Primary Talent International.
Paladin was founded by Andy Somers and Steve Martin and later joined by Bruce Solar. The trio said: “Rick’s experience building and scaling agency businesses make him ideally suited to help us guide Paladin through its next chapter.”
+ The Team agency (formerly Wasserman) has hired Julia May as senior VP of business development; Sarah Thia as VP of tour marketing for Asia; and Sheila Mukasa as senior manager of pricing & ticketing.
May, who joins from WME and is based in New York, will help lead strategic artist development initiatives across the company’s music roster.
Based in Singapore, Thia brings more than 15 years of experience across the APAC region spanning integrated marketing, public relations and strategic partnerships. Most recently, she served as Head of Marketing at Hidden.
Based in London, Mukasa joins after a decade at AEG Presents, where she led across live entertainment ticketing from clubs to stadiums.
+ The long-running law firm Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP has formally relaunched as McKoy Worob Averill Scott & Koenig LLP, elevating longtime partner Jeffrey Koenig and welcoming newly named partner Margo Scott; Reid Hunter and Joe Serling are launching a new firm with Hunter Cottingham.
Anamaria Laguna-Dunn and Kate Glinert have all also been elevated from senior counsel to partner. Atticus George Carroll also joins the firm as a partner, joining from Warner Records where she served as VP of business & legal affairs.
Said Mike McKoy, “Reid Hunter and Joe Serling are both brilliant attorney sand together we built one of the most esteemed law firms in music and entertainment and Jeff, Craig and I are honored to carry on this mission with Jeffrey Koenig and Margo Scott joining us at the helm, along with partners Atticus George Carroll, Anamaria Laguna-Dunn, and Kate Glinert, and our amazing associates and staff.”
Jeffrey Koenig and Margo Scott will round out a group of named partners. Mike McKoy, Jeffrey Worob, and Craig Averill will continue on in their leadership positions, while representing clients including Ejae, Maroon 5, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges, Fall Out Boy, Halsey, Rostrum Records, LCD Soundsystem, Joji, Magdalena Bay, and other artists, labels, publishers, and songwriters across the industry.
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