Los Angeles-based PULSE Music Group has teamed up with Mark Ronson’s Zelig Music to form a joint venture focused on music publishing.
Swedish artist-producer Thea Gustafsson, known professionally as Becky and the Birds, is their first signing. Gustafsson secured a worldwide publishing deal through the partnership.
Gustafsson studied at Musikmakarna Songwriters Academy of Sweden after training as a violinist in childhood. She handles writing, recording, and production duties under her stage name. This year, she secured four nominations at the Swedish Grammis awards, including Album of the Year and Alternative Pop Record of the Year for Only Music Makes Me Cry Now, plus Newcomer of the Year. She won Producer of the Year.
The joint venture reunites PULSE co-CEO Josh Abraham with Ronson, whom he’s known since the 1990s New York club scene. Ronson founded Zelig Records in 2018 as a joint venture with Sony Music. Its clients include King Princess, Eli, Tiberius b, Raissa and Issy Wood.
Abraham said: “I have known Mark since the early 90’s in the New York club scene and Brandon [Brandon Creed, Good World Management] back since his A&R days. Recently, I was talking to Brandon and we knew the timing was right for this joint venture.”
Working together to help launch the next generation of talent, our JV platform provides a creative community that these songwriters/producers will thrive in.”
Josh Abraham, Pulse music group
Added Abraham: “Mark is an exceptional partner that knows how to cultivate culture-defining moments for songwriters, producers, and artists. He has a lot of integrity, creativity, and is effective in the way that he works to build the careers for others. Working together to help launch the next generation of talent, our JV platform provides a creative community that these songwriters/producers will thrive in. We’re thrilled to be in partnership with Zelig and to welcome Becky and the Birds to the PULSE Music Group / Zelig Music family.”
The deal marks another venture for Ronson, whose production credits span some of pop music’s most popular records over the past three decades. The nine-time Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe-winning producer and songwriter produced Amy Winehouse‘s Back to Black, and Bruno Mars’ global smash hit Uptown Funk. His work on Shallow for A Star Is Born brought him an Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy Award. Ronson has also worked with artists like Lady Gaga, Adele, Paul McCartney, Miley Cyrus, and Dua Lipa.
“I’ve been a fan of Josh as a producer since I was a teen. I’m so excited to discover and develop some incredible talent together.”
Mark Ronson, Zelig Music
In 2020, Ronson sold a 70% stake in the publishing and writer’s share interest in his catalog which comprises 315 songs to Hipgnosis Songs Fund.
More recently, Ronson served as executive producer for Barbie The Album and its score in 2023, earning another Grammy. He executive produced SNL50: The Homecoming Concert with Lorne Michaels earlier this year.
Ronson’s influence extends beyond the recording studio. His memoir Night People: How to Be a DJ in ’90s New York City reached the New York Times bestseller list and Sunday Times Top 10 following its September release. Brad Pitt‘s production company Plan B acquired film rights to the book.
The joint venture will be managed by teams from both companies. At PULSE, Abraham works alongside co-CEO Scott Cutler, President Ashley Calhoun, Senior Vice President/Head of Creative Annie Aberle, and Senior Director of Creative Quinn Slattery. Rachel Helman serves as General Manager of Zelig Music and will oversee A&R for the partnership. Gustafsson is managed by Alyssa DeBonis of Moth Management.
Commenting on the partnership, Ronson said: “I’m so in admiration of what PULSE has built. And I’ve been a fan of Josh as a producer since I was a teen. I’m so excited to discover and develop some incredible talent together. Becky and the Birds couldn’t be a better artist/producer example to start with.”
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