From Silverchair to FutureNever: BMG Signs Landmark Publishing Deal with Australian Music Icon Daniel Johns

BMG has signed a global publishing deal with Daniel Johns, the Australian music legend and former Silverchair frontman. The deal covers Johns’ solo work, including his 2022 ARIA No. 1 album FutureNever, as well as his Silverchair songs like “Straight Lines,” “The Greatest View,” “Ana’s Song,” “Freak,” “Tomorrow” and more, which will revert to BMG in 2025 (Sony Music Australia acquired the rights to Silverchair’s recordings in early 2021). The deal, announced on Tuesday, Oct. 31, builds on Johns’ existing recording contract with BMG, which he signed in 2017 before releasing FutureNever, the best-selling new Australian album of 2022. Johns says he trusts BMG with his songwriting catalog, which he values more than anything else without a heartbeat. BMG has supported Johns’ creative endeavors, such as the Spotify podcast Who Is Daniel Johns? in 2021 and the award-winning exhibition Past, Present and FutureNever in 2022. In 2023, BMG will release the film What if the Future Never Happened?, featuring Rasmus King as a young Johns. Johns is the most decorated artist in ARIA history, with 21 awards, and has also won six APRA Music Awards, tying the record for songwriter of the year. He has sold 10 million albums and had six ARIA No. 1 albums, including all five Silverchair albums. Silverchair was formed in 1992 by Johns and his school friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou. They achieved worldwide fame with their debut album Frogstomp in 1995 and its hit single “Tomorrow.” Frogstomp reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, and its follow-up Freak Show peaked at No. 12. The band split up in 2011 at the height of their success. Johns also runs FutureNeverFund, a charity that helps people and animals in need. The non-profit has raised and distributed over A$100,000 from personal and public donations. Jodie Feld, BMG senior creative director Australia & New Zealand, says it’s an honor to work with Johns and his iconic publishing catalog.