Tim Finn Signs Global Publishing Deal With Kobalt

Split Enz legend Tim Finn is now part of the Kobalt roster.

Announced Thursday, January 16th, the veteran New Zealand singer and songwriter signs with Kobalt for publishing representation on a worldwide basis.

Kobalt, which claims to be the world’s largest independent music publisher, will administer Finn’s entire catalog, past and future, which includes Split Enz’s “I Hope I Never,” “I See Red” and “Six Months In A Leaky Boat,” and plus his work with Crowded House’s “Four Seasons In One Day,” “It’s Only Natural,” and “Weather With You.”

The deal also covers Finn’s solo classics such as “Fraction Too Much Friction” and “Persuasion”.

“We are thrilled to announce this new partnership with Tim Finn, a legendary figure in the world of music,” comments Simon Moor, Sydney-based managing director of Kobalt for the APAC region. “From his groundbreaking work with Split Enz to his contributions to Crowded House and his illustrious solo career, Tim has consistently showcased his incredible songwriting talent.”

It’s a full circle moment for Moor. “Having seen Split Enz as my very first concert as a teenager, this collaboration holds a special significance. We look forward to working closely with Tim to bring his music to new audiences and explore creative opportunities globally.”

Finn announced himself to the music world with Split Enz, initially an art-rock concept band which he formed back in the early 1970s, and which later introduced his younger brother into the fold, on guitar (Neil Finn would go on to become co-singer and co-songwriter).

Split Enz was always full of surprises. And as the group evolved, the hits kept coming. If Split Enz arrived now, fully formed, as they were with breakthrough “My Mistake” from 1977, the music world would surely be at their feet.

The late, great Michael Gudinski made a mistake too. “In hindsight,” the late Mushroom Group chairman once told this reporter, “if I had gone to live in England or America for a while, it might have made a huge difference to a couple of the Mushroom artists like Split Enz, who should have been a huge international success and almost were.”

Split Enz called it a day in December 1984, at which point Tim Finn had already embarked on a successful solo career. His debut solo set Escapade dropped the previous year, and went to No. 1 in his homeland, and No. 8 in Australia.

From the embers of the Enz, Neil Finn formed Crowded House in 1985. The Finn Brothers reunited on the 1989 Crowded House album Woodface, which included “Weather with You” and “Four Seasons in One Day,” and again on the albums Finn (from 1995) and Everyone Is Here (2004), both recorded as The Finn Brothers.

Finn’s status among the greats was confirmed when Split Enz was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. Crowded House was elevated in 2016.

Finn’s latest work has included songs and soundtracks for film, television and musical theatre.

With 13 global offices, Kobalt serves over 1 million songs, representing such songwriters as Roddy Ricch, Max Martin, Karol G, Andrew Watt, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lumineers, Gunna, Justin Quiles, Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney.