Primary Wave Opens UK Office

New York and L.A.-based talent firm Primary Wave Music is opening a UK office headed by former EMI (UK) and Warner Music Group A&R director Clive Black.

For Primary Wave, which also has music publishing and marketing businesses, moving into London may be the first step of a wider European expansion.

“I’m excited to join the Primary Wave team and look forward to building a stronger presence, and opening new opportunities for their artists, writers and producers,” said Black, who founded his own Blacklist Entertainment in 1997.

Black has previously managed a diverse list of artists ranging from Donovan to working in partnership with Jimmy Rosemond’s company Czar, managing hip-hop artist The Game.

In 2008, Black became president of Trevor Horn’s SPZ Group and also managed Horn until the end of 2010.

He’s also worked closely with artists including Kate Bush, Cliff Richard, Kraftwerk, David Coverdale, Afrika Bambaataa, Lee Scratch Perry, Robert Palmer and Robbie Williams.

“Now is the perfect time to bring in a European partner to expand resources overseas and Clive is a force in the British music business,” said Primary Wave founder and chief exec Larry Mestel.

His company represents artists including Cee-Lo Green, Eric Benet and Cody Simpson, while its publishing interests include songs penned by John Lennon and the catalogue of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.