Industry veteran Michael LoBiondo has joined Warner Chappell Music as head of business development, the company announced on Wednesday. Based in Los Angeles and reporting to CEO Guy Moot and global CFO David Woirhaye, LoBiondo’s role will include identifying and executing acquisitions and partnerships for the publisher’s songwriters and song catalog.
LoBiondo most recently worked at artist development company mtheory, whose roster includes A$AP Rocky, Twenty One Pilots and Major Lazer. Prior to mtheory, he spent a number of years as senior director at WCM’s parent, Warner Music Group, where he supported the 2013 acquisition of Parlophone Label Group and a number of Series A music technology investments. He began his career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs.
“Michael brings with him a wealth of experience in music and business development from both the recorded and publishing sides of the business,” said Moot and COO Carianne Marshall in a joint statement. “With music becoming increasingly more global, his wide-ranging expertise will be instrumental in helping us execute big picture deals such as catalog acquisitions and partnerships with emerging technology companies.”
LoBiondo added, "Warner Chappell is committed to building long-term value for its songwriters while fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking culture for its team. With increased activity around catalog acquisitions and new digital platform licensing, the company is ideally positioned to further capitalize on opportunities in the market and I'm excited to contribute to the growth of the company.”
LoBiondo arrives at a time of accelerated growth for Warner Chappell, which saw its revenues grow 15.7% to $192 million during its second fiscal quarter.
LoBiondo added, "Warner Chappell is committed to building long-term value for its songwriters while fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking culture for its team. With increased activity around catalog acquisitions and new digital platform licensing, the company is ideally positioned to further capitalize on opportunities in the market and I'm excited to contribute to the growth of the company.”
LoBiondo arrives at a time of accelerated growth for Warner Chappell, which saw its revenues grow 15.7% to $192 million during its second fiscal quarter.
Faith No More appear to be hinting at a return to the stage in 2027.
The influential alt-metal band have remained mostly quiet over the past decade following the release of their reunion album ‘Sol Invictus’ in 2015. After its arrival, they played what would become their most recent live performances in 2016 and later called off several touring plans in the years that followed.
Now, however, they seem to be preparing fans for something new. The group recently shared an image of a concert crowd on social media with nothing more than the text “2027” placed across it.
No additional information accompanied the post, but it quickly sparked speculation among fans, many of whom believe a full scale tour announcement could be coming next year.
After wrapping up their 2016 run of shows, the band intended to return to the road in 2020. Those plans were ultimately abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further touring plans surfaced in 2021 as venues began reopening, but those dates were also cancelled before they could begin. Frontman Mike Patton later explained that mental health struggles were behind the decision and revealed he had been diagnosed with agoraphobia during the pandemic.
Until recently, a reunion seemed unlikely. Patton spoke about Faith No More’s lengthy break and said that he did not “see it as a sad thing”.
Speaking on the Kyle Meredith With… podcast and reflecting on whether he felt a “sense of closure” after the 2016 tour, the vocalist said: “I didn’t really think so at the time, but, yeah, maybe. I think that we all kind of felt it, but it was unspoken.”
“It’s funny: when you’ve been in a band or a musical situation for a period of time, you always, in the back of your head, you’re kind of thinking, ‘Well, maybe this is it.’ And I don’t mind that feeling,” he added. “I don’t see it as a sad thing. I see it as being present and being able to really appreciate it while it’s happening.”
Faith No More have never formally announced a breakup following the cancellation of their 2021 tour, although other members have suggested in recent years that the chances of touring again were uncertain.
Last year, guitarist Roddy Bottum discussed the band's future and admitted they were in a “really weird spot”. “I can’t really tell you what’s going on. I don’t know myself. I get different information from people… and I’m in the band,” he said.
Drummer Mike Bordin echoed similar thoughts last spring, saying that he and some of the other members were willing to perform again, but claimed Patton was “unwilling to do shows with us”.
In addition to leading Faith No More since 1989 after replacing original singer Chuck Mosley, Patton has also been involved with projects including Mr Bungle, Fantômas, and Tomahawk.
Tomahawk recently unveiled plans for their first tour in 13 years, with a series of US dates scheduled for this summer. The run begins in Nashville next month and will also see Patton and his bandmates reunite with longtime labelmates Melvins for the first time since 2003.
Patton has also recently launched his tour with Avett Brothers and teamed up with Jehnny Beth on the new single ‘Look At Me’.
