Bucks Music Group has signed New Zealand-born artist and songwriter Molly Payton to an exclusive deal for publishing in The UK, Eire and Europe.

Payton’s debut EP, Mess, was released in April 2020, showcasing her own brand of vulnerable melancholy, taking influence from the likes of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell.

Her second EP, Porcupine, followed quickly in October 2020. Recorded with Oli Barton-Wood, Porcupine is bigger, fuller and louder, aided by the addition of a band – the Swedish-formed, London-based indie group Francobollo.

Her debut mini album, Slack, was released on Bug Records in 2021. She toured with Beabadoobee in September this year and supported Palace for three gigs in Australia in December.

She will be playing three festivals in New Zealand in December and January – Rhythm & Alps on December 31, Le Currents on December 27 and The Coro Classic on January 7 – with UK dates in London and Bristol later in April.

Payton is signed to Mushroom Music Publishing for the rest of the world.

Bucks Music Group and Mushroom Music Publishing have a close and longstanding relationship, representing each other’s catalogues in their respective home territories.

Bucks’ Director A&R Sarah Liversedge Platz said: “We’re really pleased to represent Molly in the UK, Eire and Europe. She’s an exciting talent – a great musician with plenty to say. We’re doubly pleased to be working closely with Mushroom Music Publishing to further Molly’s career. Mushroom has the same approach and ethos to us as a family business that’s fiercely independent and both extremely proactive and creative.”

Mushroom Music Publishing Head of A&R and Creative Erol Yurdagul said: “We’re very excited to welcome Molly Payton to the Mushroom Music family. Molly is an incredibly gifted songwriter whose honest and mesmerising storytelling captivated us immediately. With roots in Australasia and a burgeoning international career, Molly was the perfect artist for us to further our partnership with Bucks. Both teams share a passion for Molly’s music as well as an independent, creative spirit which drives us.”

Payton said: “I’m so excited to be working with two companies as passionate and supportive as Mushroom and Bucks. Although I’m based in the UK now, New Zealand and Australia will always be home to me, and it’s awesome knowing that I have support no matter where I am moving forward.”

Bucks Music Group is one of the UK’s leading and longest running international, independent, family-owned music publishers. It has a rich musical heritage, having been responsible for launching and developing the careers of music legends including David Bowie, TRex, The Move, Black Sabbath and Procol Harum. Its active A&R department continues to discover and develop new song writing talent.

Bucks’ catalogue includes works written by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Procol Harum, DJ Fresh, James Blunt, Professor Green, Rudimental, Beyonce, CAN, Pete Doherty, Roni Size & Reprazent, David Arnold, Sacha Skarbek, Troy Miller, Seton Daunt, Ash Howes, James Dring, Watch The Ride, Ivory Layne, Erland Cooper, Emma Blackery, The Heavytrackerz, LIFE, Brooke Bentham, Gold Spectacles, Johnny Madden, Zand, and more.

Label publishing partners include: Heavenly, Nude, Full Time Hobby, Brownswood, Rekids, Arts & Crafts and No Hats No Hoods.