Photo Credit: Jet / BMG
BMG announces the acquisition of Australian rock band Jet’s recordings catalog, including rights to the band’s first two albums and associated global royalty stream in perpetuity.
Today, BMG has announced its new deal with multi-platinum and award-winning Australian rock band Jet. The deal sees BMG gain Australian and New Zealand rights to the band’s first two albums (Get Born and Shine On) and the global royalty stream for those albums in perpetuity, as well as global rights to their third album (Shaka Rock). The new agreement is an addition to the band’s existing global publishing deal with BMG, signed in 2017.
“With big decisions like this, it comes down to personal relationships. We’ve known the BMG team for years,” says Chris Cester of Jet. “We’re already with BMG for our publishing, and they do what they say they’re gonna do. That’s a rare thing in this business. Sooner or later, you figure out that’s the only thing that matters, if you’re serious about what you do.”
“Jet are a generation-defining band who achieved global success of the rarest kind. BMG couldn’t be more honored to acquire these iconic global hit recordings, and we thank Nic, Chris, Cam, Mark, and their manager Andy Cassell for the faith they have shown in our team via this landmark deal,” adds Heath Johns, BMG President, Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia. “BMG has become the fastest-growing music company in Australia via our organic recordings and publishing growth and now, as we expand our scope via acquisition, I can think of no bigger statement than the acquisition of the Jet catalog.”
Forming in the late ‘90s, Jet has released three studio albums and sold more than 6.5 million records worldwide. Their breakthrough 2003 debut, Get Born, is certified 9x Platinum in Australia — one of the top five highest-selling Australian rock albums of all time — and Platinum in the UK and US, topping both the US Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock Charts.
The band earned three nominations at the 2004 MTV Music Awards, winning Best Rock Video, and collected six awards from seven nominations at the 2004 ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Group, and Single of the Year.
Jet’s songs are global licensing favorites. Following the use of “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” in a commercial for Apple’s iPod, the band’s music has featured in multiple international advertising campaigns, feature films, television series, and video game franchises over the last 15 years.
The band is currently touring Australia in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their debut album, with another performance in Brisbane on September 29 at The Fortitude Music Hall, and Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on September 30. They will also be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in November — the first inductees since Archie Roach in 2020.
BMG represents a roster of Australian and New Zealand talent, including Chet Faker, Angus & Julia Stone (ANZ), Daniel Johns, Dope Lemon, Hockey Dad, The Living End, Pacific Avenue, Ladyhawke, CHAII, Dune Rats, and Winston Surfshirt.
The fourth-largest music company in the world, BMG also represents or owns rights in the work of iconic artists including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Iggy Pop, Blondie, David Bowie, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and many more.