UNIFIED Music Group Expands Into New Zealand, Hires Matt Harvey

Multi-service music company UNIFIED Music Group is expanding into New Zealand, appointing veteran artist manager Matt Harvey to the role of Senior Artist Manager. The Australian company already has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles and London.

Why it matters:

• UNIFIED says the move signals its long-term commitment to the New Zealand music industry, where it will provide infrastructure and development opportunities to help local artists grow on a global scale.

Backstory:

• Harvey was a founding member of drum and bass outfit Concord Dawn.

• After 10 years as a touring artist based in Vienna he returned to Auckland in 2016.

• Harvey launched management company Southeast, working alongside day-to-day manager Mandy Keighley.

• He brings to UNIFIED a roster that includes electronic veterans Shapeshifter, rising indie artist Mim Jensen, indie rockers Daily J, Māori beatmaker and DJ Spell, and ex-Shihad frontman Jon Toogood.

What they said:

• Matt Harvey: “It’s incredibly exciting to join an organization that invests in its people and embraces unconventional thinking. Managers are essential to an artist's team, and supporting managers is one of the most effective ways to support our artists. This is not just an exciting step for me personally; it’s an opportunity to become part of the long-term infrastructure that supports artists in New Zealand, helping local music resonate far beyond its place of origin.”