Tim Minchin to release his debut album through BMG

Distinguished and award-winning composer, musician, comedian, actor, writer and director Tim Minchin has signed an exclusive global label deal with BMG and is set to release his first studio album in 2020.

Tim Minchin said, “I’ve been writing songs for 35 years, and have never released a studio album. Too many distractions. Signing with BMG has given me focus, and the confidence to aim for a record that isn’t defined by anyone else’s expectations. I’m loving the freedom, loving the process, and loving the team at BMG. They’re cool and nice”.

The first single from the album, ‘Leaving LA’, will be released on March 13, but fans will have the opportunity to see more of the upcoming material from the record performed live on his latest Australian tour beginning this month, as well as at his recently announced slot at this year’s Splendour In The Grass Festival.

The tour follows his sold-out BACK Tour last year, which was his first major live outing in seven years and included over 75 dates with 180,000 tickets sold.

Watch Tim Minchin star in a Missy Higgins video below.

Heath Johns, BMG Australia Managing Director, said of the signing, “Tim Minchin is the rarest of talents – an incredible pianist, composer, playwright, actor and lyricist, amongst many other things. To have Tim sign his first-ever record deal with BMG is a genuine honour for our entire team and a further indication that BMG is the destination for artists with international ambition and a demand to maintain creative control and ownership of their recordings. I know the world will fall in love with this absolute gem of a pop record and we can’t wait to help Tim share these songs”.

Renowned for his musical comedy, Tim Minchin has performed extensively around the world, selling out some of the world’s most famous venues including The Royal Albert Hall, O2 Arena and Sydney Opera House. In 2009, the Royal Shakespeare Company commissioned Tim to write the music and lyrics for Matilda The Musical, a stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book. Matilda has since become one of the most successful musicals this millennium, winning more than 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, five Tony Awards and a record seven Olivier Awards. Minchin also wrote the music and lyrics to the musical Groundhog Day, based on the 1993 film, which won him his second Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Throughout his career, Minchin has also appeared extensively on television, radio, acted in live theatre shows, written children’s books and starred in movies, such as 2018’s Robin Hood. Recently, Minchin also co-wrote, co-produced, starred in and composed the music for his latest project, television series Upright, which premiered on Foxtel in December 2019 to much acclaim. Tim was also this year appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to the performing arts and the community.

Tim Minchin joins a BMG Australia label roster that includes Dune Rats, Hockey Dad, Dope Lemon, Bad//Dreems, Winston Surfshirt (ROW), SAFIA (ROW), and more.

Watch the video for ‘Prejudice’ by Tim Minchin below.

Upcoming Tour Dates

6 & 7 Mar – Crown Theatre, Perth *SOLD OUT*
12, 13 & 14 Mar – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
16 Mar – Comedy Steps Up for Bushfire Relief, Sydney Opera House
17, 18, 19, 20 & 21 Mar – Enmore Theatre, Sydney *SOLD OUT*
23 & 24 Mar – Civic Theatre, Newcastle *SOLD OUT*
26, 27 & 28 Mar – Hamer Hall, Melbourne *SOLD OUT*
31 Mar, 1, 2 & 3 Apr – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane *SOLD OUT*
25 Jul – GW McLennan Tent, Splendour In The Grass, Byron Bay

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.