Producer, composer and arranger Giles Martin has been announced as INXS and Petrol Records’ new executive music director.
Martin will have a creative overview on all audio aspects of INXS developments, including an upcoming documentary, live theatre show and the band’s forthcoming repackaged, remixed and expanded studio albums, to be released via Universal Music Group (UMG) in partnership with Petrol Records
INXS’s most recent collaboration with Martin saw him mixing their classic, multiplatinum album “Kick” in Dolby Atmos with Sam Okell at Abbey Road Studios for the recording’s 30th anniversary reissue in 2017 via UMG.
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Son of the legendary Sir George Martin, Giles Martin first met INXS in 1994 when working on The Great Music Experience, a concert starring Japanese and international musicians staged at the eighth century Buddhist temple of Tōdai-ji, in Nara, Japan. The chance meeting was the starting point for almost 25 years of friendship and an innate musical bond that led to Martin working on the band’s “Greatest Hits” compilation and subsequent projects
Martin famously reunited with his father in 2004 to work on the soundtrack for The Beatles-Cirque du Soleil show, “Love”, which earned critical acclaim and won a Grammy Award.
Giles Martin commented: “Having worked across several phenomenal INXS releases over the years, I am thrilled to be extending our musical relationship. INXS are one of the most important rock bands in history, I am honoured to be collaborating with them again and look forward to contributing to the spectacular experiences the band are creating for their fans.”
Petrol Records Chairman & CEO, Chris Murphy, said: “Giles Martin’s track record speaks for itself. We need to ensure INXS’ incredible music and extraordinary story is heard by and told to future generations and as such, we want the best eyes and ears partnering with us across all our innovative and exciting upcoming projects. Giles is a dear friend of the band and someone we can trust unquestionably to deliver outstanding creative input and a rare musical perspective.”
Andrew Daw, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Universal Music Group said: “We are delighted to welcome Giles Martin into our global partnership with INXS in this unique role. Expanding on INXS’ legacy, these projects will capture the imagination of those who were there from the beginning and open the INXS world up to new fans globally while cementing the band’s important musical legacy.”