SYDNEY, Australia — Warner Chappell Music has struck an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Luke Steele, frontman and co-songwriter Australian electronic pop outfit Empire of the Sun.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Perth, Steele is a one of the highest-flying talents of his generation to emerge from Down Under.
Steele (as Emperor Steele) and Nick Littlemore (Lord Littlemore) have released four studio albums as Empire of the Sun, each of them cracking the ARIA Top 10. Along the way, the act has snagged eight ARIA Awards, two APRAs, and a APRA Billions Award for “Walking on a Dream,” awarded to APRA AMCOS songwriter members and their publishers for one billion streams of a song.
“Walking on a Dream” was an ARIA Top 10 hit in 2008, and belatedly drove into the Billboard 100 it was synced to a Honda Civic commercial in 2016. In the U.S. the song drove all the way to No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and to No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs, their second leader on the tally after 2013’s “Alive”.
Debut album Walking on a Dream peaked at No. 97 on the Billboard 200 in 2016, Ice on the Dune went to No 20 in 2013 and Two Vines climbed to No. 51, also in 2016.
Empire of the Sun’s catalog has shifted over 5.5 million albums worldwide, reps say, and accumulated more than 7.6 billion streams.
Steele has also released two albums and two EPs with the Sleepy Jackson, a solo album Listen To The Water, and worked with the likes of Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
“I’m a longtime fan of Luke,” comments Guy Moot, co-chair and CEO of WCM. “As one of Australia’s most influential and successful musical talents, he’s consistently pushed boundaries and delivered groundbreaking work with every release. We’re proud to be supporting him at such a pivotal moment in his career and look forward to seeing where his vision takes electronic music next.”
Adds Dan Rosen, president, Recording and Publishing, Australasia, WMG: “Luke is an exceptional songwriter and artist. He has been at the forefront of the Australian music scene for almost two decades and has had significant global impact with his music.” This signing, says Rosen, is “super exciting” for “everyone at Warner Chappell Music and we’re honored to be a part of this next stage in Luke’s artistic journey.”
Later this month, Empire of the Sun embarks on their world tour in support of Ask That God, their fourth and latest studio album, the expanded version of which dropped last week. The deluxe version includes “Somebody’s Son,” featuring Lindsey Buckingham.
When Empire of the Sun reunite, “we’re trying to find that rare jewel every time,” Steele told Billboard last year, ahead of the release of Ask Their God. “That’s what keeps it exciting for us.”
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