After marking their return with the release of their syrupy bop ‘Sugar’ last year, Melbourne’s cult pop-mystiques Dorsal Fins today release their long-awaited third album Star of the Show.

Star of the Show is the group’s first record in seven years, peeling back from a cast of nine mates to a record made by the band’s songwriting trinity – Liam McGorry (Ex-Olympian, Saskwatch), and co-vocalists Ella Thompson  (GL)  & Jarrad Brown Brown (Eagle and the Worm). A reimagining that spanned a year of Sundays, Star of the Show allows their funky, soulful roots to come through and collide with some “more jangly” flavours in true eclectic ‘Fins form. The self-referential album title Star of the Show is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the truly collaborative nature of the record.

Stream Star of the Show here.

Native Tongue has welcomed Sibylla & Bethany Stephen to the roster, best known as ARIA Award-winning Australian children’s music group Teeny Tiny Stevies.

Since 2015, Teeny Tiny Stevies have been sharing their talents with generations of children and parents around the world. They were commissioned to write music for Sesame Street’s online channel in the US, signed a record deal with ABC Music, won both the ARIA Award and AIR Award for ‘Best Children’s Album’ in 2020, and signed a book deal with Harper Collins, releasing their first picture book in 2021.

Described as every parent’s favourite kids band, Teeny Tiny Stevies have announced their fourth album How to be Creative along with its first single, ‘How Am I Different’.

Teeny Tiny Stevies said of the signing, “Native Tongue are a family business and so are we. We’re thrilled to be keeping it in the family. And looking forward to someone FINALLY being able to facilitate our deals with Disney & Pixar.”

Managing Director of Native Tongue, Jaime Gough, added: “We’ve been watching Teeny Tiny Stevies grow over the past few years and are delighted to welcome them into our world. Byll and Beth write children’s songs with positive and educational messages that parents enjoy. They are also a touring machine. My 4yo loves them and so do I!”

The global publishing deal with Native Tongue also covers works by The Little Stevies.

How to be Creative is out May 20 via ABC. Stream the new single ‘How Am I Different’ here.

Native Tongue Music Publishing has announced a number of changes across their Australian and New Zealand offices.

Paul McLaney will step down from his NZ Writer Relations role at Native Tongue at the end of April.

Over the last seven years Paul has provided intuitive support and advice to the Native Tongue New Zealand roster. In 2017, Paul was influential in the hiring of current NZ General Manager Pennie Black, and played a key role in Pennie’s development.

Native Tongue would like to thank Paul for his valued contribution and wish him the best for his future endeavours.

Jess Barlow has been promoted to Head of Sync Licensing. After commencing in the role of Licensing Manager in 2021, Jess will formally take on management of the entire Sync Licensing team. Jess’ hard work and determination is apparent and the team are excited for Jess to lead the department into the future.

Further, Alicia Scott who commenced as an intern in 2021 will officially join the team as Licensing & Administration Assistant and will be based in our Auckland office. Alicia has shown great attention to detail in the licensing administration space, whilst being the driver of our NZ DISCO Library project. We look forward to having Alicia with us more regularly.

The virtual 2021 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka took place last night, Thursday 25 March 2022.

Native Tongue would like to congratulate David Donaldson, Janet Roddick, and Steve Roche (known as Plan 9) for receiving the 2021 SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha for their composition The Bewilderness.

The Wellington-based trio released their album The Bewilderness in June 2021, and it is loosely based on the unsettling experience of the pandemic from the sudden shock, through the stages of drama and disruption to periods of peace and introspection.

Native Tongue would also like to congratulate all winners and nominees of this year’s awards.

The 10 finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2022 have been announced. We are proud to say that a mammoth 6 of those involve writers on the Native Tongue roster.

See below the list of our writers that have been nominated.

Reb Fountain – IRIS
Luke Buda – BUDA
French For Rabbits – The Overflow
Dianne Swann – The War On Peace Of Mind
Vera Ellen- It’s Your Birthday
Delaney Davidson also worked on Troy Kingi’s Black Sea Golden Ladder

We would like to wish all nominees the best of luck. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 20.