Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Australia has signed hotly-tipped Sydney band Gang Of Youths to an exclusive publishing agreement.

“Gang of Youths are special. They are an incredibly dynamic live band with an arsenal of powerful and masterfully crafted tunes. Dave Le'aupepe is a star and a songwriter with rare talent. We are incredibly pleased that Gang of Youths have chosen to sign with UMPG,” said Heath Johns, Director of A&R.

While formed in Sydney, Gang of Youths spend much of their time in the US where they have recently played memorable packed shows at CMJ and some high profile support shows with the likes of Sky Ferreira and The Smith Westerns.

Gang of Youths have just finished a small run of Australian dates including headline shows and dates with Vampire Weekend and Frightened Rabbit before returning to the studio in upstate New York to add the finishing touches to their much anticipated new album through Sony Music, with producer Kevin McMahon (The Walkmen, Titus Andronicus, Real Estate and Swans).

"A year ago I was recording demos on a dictaphone that I didn't expect anyone to hear - now I'm able to professionally engage with a world class entity like UMPG and have my labour find some kind of wider audience. It's completely unexpected but altogether, extremely gratifying," said Dave Le'aupepe of Gang Of Youths.

Gang of Youths will perform at SXSW 2014 before heading to the UK for more shows while they have been named as a ‘Band to Watch’ by NME and have also been included as one of Triple J’s ‘Next Crop’ for 2014.

This publishing deal with UMPG caps off a memorable couple of months for the Sydney band after they formed their own label ‘Mosy Recordings’ in late 2013 and signed an exclusive recording agreement with Sony Music while also securing key agency relationships with Artist Voice for Australasia and CAA for US/UK/Europe.