Brit award winning band’s back catalogue purchased
Hipgnosis Songs Fund and its Investment Adviser, The Family (Music), have acquired a music catalogue by the Leeds indie band, the Kaiser Chiefs from B-Unique.
The purchase includes 100% of the worldwide ownership of the master rights to the Kaiser Chiefs’ first four studio albums, ‘Employment’, ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’, ‘Off With Their Heads’ and ‘The Future is Medieval’, as well as their greatest hits album ‘Souvenir’ and their live audiovisual release ‘Live at Elland Road’.
Kaiser Chiefs’ 2005 debut album ‘Employment’, won the Ivor Novello Award for “Best Album”, is certified 6x platinum in the UK and won three Brit Awards in 2006, an NME Award for “Best Album” and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize.
Merck Mercuriadis, Founder of The Family (Music) and Hipgnosis Songs Fund, said:
“The Kaiser Chiefs have been one of the most successful English bands of the last 15 years and it’s no secret that it’s down to great songs, great albums and a terrific live show. They follow the very English tradition of The Who and Madness and incredible hits like I Predict a Riot and Ruby just get better with time. I’m delighted that Mark, Martin, James, Nick, Ricky and the band have entrusted us with this special catalogue.”
Mark Lewis & Martin Toher of B-Unique said:
“We are delighted to be part of the Hipgnosis story, Merck managed the first band signed to B-unique, we know he is a proper music man. This deal will allow us to continue working with the Kaisers and James to keep this great catalogue growing.
“Martin and I shared such a commonality with the band, we both had a real underdog spirit and the fact that they are still having top 3 albums and selling more tickets than ever is a testament to their continued hunger.”
James Sandom at Red Light Management, who represent the band said:
“It’s great to be in business with Merck and Hipgnosis. We’re excited by the potential and fresh focus on Kaiser Chiefs classic catalogue in this new chapter, Hipgnosis’ modern thinking and resource will add value and presence to a catalogue that’s engrained in British culture.”
