Seattle-based independent music publisher Sub Pop Publishing has joined independent digital licensing agency IMPEL in a multi-territory licensing agreement.
The partnership will see IMPEL represent Sub Pop Publishing’s catalog of over 5,000 songs across more than 60 digital licenses covering over 140 territories.
Formed 15 years ago, Sub Pop Publishing is the publishing division of Sub Pop Records. It represents more than 60 acts across its roster including, Divorce, ARXX, Ben Marc, Good Morning, HOMESHAKE, Yumi Zouma, Gruff Rhys, Σtella, SALES, Mudhoney, Sunny Day Real Estate, Screaming Trees and Wye Oak.
Sub Pop writers have also contributed to hit songs such as Tilted and Saint Claude by Christine And The Queens, Love Is Only A Feeling by Joey Bada$$, Kids Turned Out Fine by A$AP Rocky, Woven Song by Olafur Arnalds, and Drew Barrymore by SZA.
The publishing company had previously partnered with Downtown Music Benelux and royalty collection platform Songtrust.
Commenting on the alliance with IMPEL, Sub Pop Publishing Vice President Gareth Smith said: “This is a really exciting move for Sub Pop Publishing, and it’s nice to see that excitement reflected by Sarah and the IMPEL team. What we like about IMPEL is that it’s built for independent publishers. It has a proactive, global outlook, which reflects our own. Its thorough approach to every territory, regardless of size, is imperative.”
“Sub Pop and IMPEL are a natural match. Though different types of organization, we are both trailblazers who have forged our own path.”
Sarah Williams, Impel
IMPEL CEO Sarah Williams said: “We are really proud that Sub Pop Publishing has chosen to trust its digital rights to IMPEL. Theirs is an iconic brand that is totally reflected in their catalogue. Including their unique repertoire in our rich IMPEL mix will be great for us both. For me, Sub Pop and IMPEL are a natural match. Though different types of organization, we are both trailblazers who have forged our own path. It’s all about commitment, innovation and ethos, and we chime very well on those markers.”
IMPEL, an international collective licensing agency for digital music publishing rights, is a member-owned and controlled organization. Its members include independent publishers such as Israel’s Amusica Songs Management, Bucks Music Group, Beggars Music, Levantine Music, Reservoir Music, Regard Music, Kassner Music, CTM, ABKCO, Truelove Music, Faber Music, Mute Song, Budde UK, Phrased Differently, Portugal-based Lusitanian Music Publishing, and West African publisher AMG/MaDigital, among others.
“What we like about IMPEL is that it’s built for independent publishers. It has a proactive, global outlook, which reflects our own. Its thorough approach to every territory, regardless of size, is imperative.”
Gareth Smith, Sub Pop Publishing
The IMPEL membership collectively represents a collection of works recorded by many of the world’s biggest artists, both past and present, including Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Dua Lipa, David Bowie, Ray Charles, Rihanna, Beyonce, Calvin Harris and Elvis Presley.
The new partnership arrives nearly six years after IMPEL broke away from the UK’s Mechanical Copyright Protection Society to become a standalone company that is “entirely focused on its independent members’ interests.”
In September 2020, IMPEL’s Williams said the health of the publishing industry “is utterly dependent on there being a vibrant independent sector.”
“Multi-territory digital licensing is having an impact on the sub-publishing market, and I think that new approaches need to evolve to respond to that,” Williams had said.
Music Business Worldwide
