SYDNEY, Australia — Indie rockers the Rions have struck a global publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Australia, Billboard can exclusively reveal.
It’s full steam ahead for the Sydney band, whose debut EP Minivan is due out Aug. 11. Featuring fan fave “Scary Movies” and the title track, Minivan was recorded with producer Chris Collins (Matt Corby, Skeggs, Middle Kids) in the Byron Bay hinterlands.
“They’re a brilliant young band with a lot of heart and soul, writing great songs and we have no doubt they will be captivating audiences for a long time,” comments Sony Music Publishing managing director Damian Trotter, the publishing veteran who signed Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker.
Hailing from the Northern Beaches, the Rions was formed in 2016 by schoolmates Noah Blockley (lead vocals, bass guitar), Harley Wilson (guitar), Asher McLean (guitar) and Tom Partington (drums).
The lads got their break with first prize in Triple J’s 2021 Unearthed High competition, for their song “Night Light”. The track would land at No. 51 on triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown for 2021, and they’d follow it up with “Anakin,” which appeared at No. 64 in the national youth network’s annual countdown for 2022.
Support slots came with Lime Cordiale and Boy & Bear, then festival spots at Grapevine Gathering, Party In the Paddock and Festival of the Sun, and, more recently, a sold-out 10-date national tour in support of “Scary Movies.”
Coming up, a spot on the bill for the two-day Yours & Owls Festival 2023 this October, headlined by Bakar, Broods and Chet Faker, and the traveling Grapevine Gathering with Spacey Jane, the Wombats and more.
The Rions are managed by Steve de Wilde at UNIFIED Artist Management. “We’re really excited to partner with Sony Publishing in the next phase of this incredible band’s career,” he enthuses. “Damian and the team have such an impressive track record, and I can’t wait to see what this pairing of creative minds can unlock on a global scale.”
