LOCAL hitmaking band Beatenberg have signed to Island Records.
The band which is comprised of Matthew Field, Robin Brink and Ross Dorkin - announced the news in January through their social media platforms, meaning they will be joining the roster of some of the world’s most popular artists such as Elton John, Bon Jovi, Fall Out Boy, Nick Jonas, Sean Paul and Shawn Mendes.
This comes after the trio's successful showcases on two standout international television performances on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and Later with Jools Holland. They also opened for Mumford & Sons on a number of the UK band’s American dates and joined them at their British Summer Time Festival appearance in London’s Hyde Park in July.
Black Major founder Sevi Spanoudi said, they were thrilled that Island Records has recognised Beatenberg’s singular music.
“Since first surfacing in 2012, the band’s music has been celebrated because of its authenticity and the fact that it doesn’t sound like anything out there. We were not surprised that it caught the attention of several international labels but there is no doubt that Island Records is really the best fit for this exceptional band.
“There are few South African acts that have been truly welcomed into the international majors space. I’m positive that Beatenberg’s signing will help open doors for more artists creating homegrown music that appeals to a much broader, global audience,” said Spanoudi.
In signing to Island Records, Beatenberg are now part of an artist roster that includes The Weeknd, U2, Nicki Minaj, Hozier, James Morrison, Drake, Florence + The Machine, PJ Harvey, Ben Howard, and Mumford & Sons.
Field, Dorkin and Brink are now poised to become South Africa’s first global pop success of the twenty-first century – doing this on the back of a sound that’s rooted in South Africa’s indigenous styles but is unfailingly moving towards the future. - release by Diane Coetzee of Black Major
