There has been a flurry of high-profile song catalog acquisitions in recent weeks and today brings news of another big deal.
Downtown Music Publishing has acquired the music catalog of songwriter Chris Braide, who is best-known for his work writing with Sia, for an undisclosed sum.
The news comes just one week after Downtown acquired the catalog of Motown legend Mickey Stevenson, which came six months after Downtown’s acquisition of Good Soldier Songs, which included the 1975’s publishing catalog songbook.
The deal covers Braide’s Sia co-writes, including Big Girls Cry, Helium, Flames, Unstoppable, She Wolf (Falling to Pieces), Eye of the Needle, Freeze You Out,Confetti and Space Between, along with songs performed by Beyoncé (God Made You Beautiful), Britney Spears (Perfume), Christina Aguilera (Blank Page), Lana Del Rey (Million Dollar Man).
It also includes songs performed by Selena Gomez (Camouflage), Halsey (Trouble), Robin Schulz (I Believe I’m Fine,Speechless), DJ Afrojack (Ten Feet Tall) and Yuna (Lullabies).
Braide was first signed as a solo artist by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, who in the liner notes to an early album wrote, “I met Chris Braide in London when he was only 24 years old, yet he was so mature as a songwriter and a consummate musician.”
Braide began working with Sia around the time of her breakthrough solo album 1000 Forms of Fear, co-writing two of the album’s singles (Big Girls Cry, Eye of the Needle).
Their work together continues to the present, including on the soundtrack to Sia’s forthcoming film, Music.
Braide has won an Ivor Novello award and been nominated for a Grammy for his work on Sia’s 2016 album, This Is Acting.
Most recently, Braide won the ‘Best Original Composition in a TV Trailer or Promo’ at the 2020 Music and Sound awards with Hans Zimmer and Sia for the song “Out There.”
Downtown Music Publishing’s parent company, Downtown Music Holdings, led negotiations for this acquisition, managed by Senior Vice President of Global Business Development Bruce Lampcov.
Chris Braide was represented in the transaction by the notable entertainment lawyer Brian Schall, a partner with Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP.
“He is a master of his craft and a true original.”
Mike Smith, Downtown
Mike Smith, Global President of Downtown Music Publishing, said: “Chris’ work has helped shape so much of the musical landscape over the past decade, and I am delighted that he has entrusted Downtown to be the custodian of incredible songs from his rich and diverse catalog.
“Few have his incredible versatility or can write with his breadth, as easily at home with Beyoncé and Sia as with Marc Almond and Glenn Tilbrook.
“He is a master of his craft and a true original.”
“I am confident that these works and my creative legacy will be well looked after by Downtown.”
Chris Braide
Chris Braide added: “It’s my genuine pleasure to entrust the team at Downtown with these works.
“The songs included are some of my favorites and represent an important era of my songwriting career.
“I am confident that these works and my creative legacy will be well looked after by Downtown.”
