Legal and contract SERVICES for the music industry
We’ve Been Advocating For Musicians For Decades.
Ravens Nest Consulting is a boutique business affairs service for the Music, Entertainment and Creative Industries providing contractual, rights management and business structuring services to clients at all levels.
RNC offers fast, efficient and cost-effective services for artists and bands, managers, music producers, mix and mastering engineers, songwriters and composers, promoters, record labels and music publishers, venue operators, publicists and service providers.
Schedule Appointment
We know that finding the right advisor is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.
Testimonials
“Andrew has been a friendly, real world help to me in a challenging time. Not only was he professional, but he was easy to talk to, and spoke to me more like a friend than a client. I’d recommend Andrew to anyone in need of legal advice, help or representation, and I won’t hesitate to call on him again in the future should the need arise. ”
“Andrew is definitely the sort of guy you want to have on your team....his knowledge & understanding of the music industry and it’s peculiarities, is up there with the best of them. In a landscape that is constantly evolving, it’s reassuring to have someone with historical context as well as foresight when it comes to nutting out a record contract. Andrew’s genuine long time love of music is still ever present, as is his ability to walk the artist through music law in layman’s terms.”
“Andrew has been an incredible help to me through my signing of a record and publishing deal. It’s something that can be quite overwhelming without having someone such as Andrew explaining it to you in terms that you can understand. Andrew was very kind with his time and his knowledge, making me feel as though I really understood what was being asked of me within the contracts. As well as making sure I knew what was involved in the contracts, he suggested what points/clauses of the deals should be looked at and re-negotiated. I would highly recommend him to anyone within the entertainment industry and I am very appreciative of his help and guidance through my first signing and will continue to use his services in the future. ”
“I have known Andrew Watt for over two decades since he started InPress. There are few people who have a broader overview of Australian music culture, and there are fewer still who are such articulate advocates for its importance to our cultural ecology.”
“Andrew’s passion and knowledge for music education is inspiring for young people wanting to forge careers in the music business. Andrew draws on many years of experience as a publisher, journalist, teacher, lawyer and manager and it is important that this knowledge is passed on to the next generation of music industry professionals.”
“Andrew is one of the great creators of up and coming business talent in the Australian music industry.”
OUR PROMISE
Headquartered in Melbourne, RNC specialises in all contractual and Intellectual Property matters, from early stage ideas to monetising and protecting established businesses. We bring extensive real-world experience and professionalism to every matter and customise our support to your individual needs and concerns.
Music Fan & Lawyer
MY NAME IS ANDREW WATT - LLB, BEc, MA
My career in the music industry began as a young lawyer at Coady Dwyer Solicitors with early clients including Divinyls, Mental as Anything, Uncanny X Men, members of Men at Work and many others in music, film and publishing. I then worked as the General Manager of a music publishing company with the Paul Dainty Corporation, while having a parallel career as a music journalist, writing for The Age and music publications such as RAM. I became the co-founder, managing editor and publisher of InPress, a long-running Melbourne street music publication. Later, I became an artist manager of high profile acts in Australia and the US (while living in NYC) , a television producer with multiple network credits and music industry commentator.
I have experience at national law firms and smaller operations giving me a well-rounded background in legal practice.
Now, alongside RNC, I lecture in music industry law and intellectual property at Melbourne University, Collarts, RMIT and Box Hill Institute and am the author of a respected music industry textbook. Recently, I created a music festival at Melbourne Airport.
More than anything I am a supporter and an advocate for musicians and artists. Contracts and other aspects of the business can be very difficult. I’m here to help.
Areas of Expertise
contracts
The world of music is ever growing and evolving, and we’re not just talking about sound trends. With the consistent introduction of varying revenue streams and distribution channels, the opportunity for profit grows, but so does the complexity. That’s where we come in.
entertainment law
The way people consume entertainment is constantly in flux, so the laws must adapt quickly. Ravens Nest strives to anticipate these changes so you can focus more on creating the performance of a lifetime.
DIGITAL MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY
The internet, software, and technology are so pervasive that we can’t remember having ever lived without them. They make our lives simpler, but behind the curtain are fluctuating challenges in protection and monetization—challenges that our firm stays two steps ahead of.
Let's Chat.
Use the form below to contact us regarding your legal enquiry. Please be as detailed as possible. Include your industry along with any specific document requests. To help us best service your enquiry, we recommend that you first describe the issue you’re having before telling us what you want to achieve. You may also email or call us to make an appointment.