“...We believe it can be one of the biggest local crossover singles of the year”: Mushroom’s Chris Maund on the rise and rise of The Rubens

Aussie artists Vance Joy and The Rubens were in fine form in the second quarter of 2018, helping Mushroom Labels to just under 4% share of the TMN Hot 100 Q2 chart.

Vance notched a couple of songs in the Hot 40 with We’re Going Home (#20) and Saturday Sun (#39). The former was crowned Most Added To Radio in January and went on to peak at #4 on the airplay chart in April.

While Joy’s contribution was fated off the back of a strong performance in Q1, it was The Rubens that stole the show for Mushroom Labels in Q2. Never Ever ft. Sarah is peaking at #27 on the latest issue of the Hot 100, and ranked in at #62 on the Q2 chart.

Chris Maund, C.O.O Mushroom Labels and Mushroom Music Publishing, knew the single was a hit from the outset.  

“When we heard The Rubens’ Never Ever for the first time, we knew we had a special single on our hands,” Maund told TMN. "It’s nothing like what the guys have delivered to date and we believe it can be one of the biggest local crossover singles of the year.”

Maund couldn't be happier with Kylie Minogue's grand reception at radio. The Aussie legend reunited with Mushroom this year after a stint away from the label and fell back seamlessly into the indie's roster.

Comeback single Dancing peaked at #10 on the airplay chart after winning a monumental Most Added crown at the start of the year, and is Minogue’s fourteenth Top 10 single on the chart.  

“Not so much a surprise as a joy to see Kylie back at Mushroom and enjoying a bonafide Top 10 airplay hit with Dancing," he said.

For Maund, building success for local artists outside of Australia is just as important as building success on a domestic level with Vance, The Rubens and Kylie exemplifying the label's successful overseas strategy.  

“We continue to work closely with our marketing and sponsorship arm, Mushroom Creative House, to partner with appropriate brands and we are increasingly working with foreign promotion/DSP pitching companies.”

Looking ahead to Q3 and beyond, Maund is excited about a range of new and legacy artists making waves at radio: “...Watch out for Mansionair, Hatchie, Steve Aoki, the legendary Jimmy Barnes, new kid Fergus James, and a couple of big, big surprises!”

See the full results of the Q2 2018 Australian Singles Report here