UMPG WINS HALSEY DERBY

Jody Gerson’s UMPG has prevailed in the highly competitive derby for buzzing singer/songwriter Halsey. It’s a big get for the pubco. The Astralwerks/Capitol siren—a huge priority for label chief Steve Barnett and team—began garnering major attention when airplay on her zeitgeisty track “New Americana” (which looks set to cross from Alternative) began driving big preorders for her forthcoming full-length, Badlands (due 8/28). The album continues to blow up at iTunes ahead of release, with preorders approaching 40k.