In a significant evolution of their decade-long business relationship, the internationally acclaimed electronic duo Sofi Tukker—comprised of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern—has announced a major expansion of their professional portfolio. The duo has entered into a strategic joint venture with Third Side Music (TSM) to launch a new publishing entity, Animal Talk Publishing.
This move, which pairs the creative agility of the artists with the administrative prowess of one of the industry’s most respected independent music companies, marks a transition for the duo from purely creative forces to active participants in the music publishing landscape. In addition to the joint venture, the duo has extended their exclusive worldwide publishing administration agreement with Third Side Music, cementing a partnership that has already proven to be one of the most fruitful in modern electronic music.
The Foundations of a Decade-Long Partnership
To understand the weight of this new joint venture, one must look back at the trajectory of the collaboration between Sofi Tukker and Third Side Music. Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, who met while students at Brown University, formed their act in 2014. By 2017, they had formalized their publishing relationship with TSM.
Over the last ten years, the music industry has undergone a seismic shift toward streaming and synchronization (synch) as primary revenue streams. Third Side Music, known for its boutique approach to artist management and catalog protection, positioned itself as an essential partner for the duo during this period. The collaboration has been defined by a mutual focus on long-term career health rather than short-term viral spikes. This philosophy has resulted in over 450 synch placements, a staggering number that speaks to both the accessibility of Sofi Tukker’s sound and the efficacy of TSM’s licensing team.
Chronology of a Creative Enterprise
The formation of Animal Talk Publishing is the culmination of several years of deliberate business development:
- 2014: Sofi Tukker forms in New York City, blending global influences with infectious electronic dance beats.
- 2017: The duo signs a landmark publishing administration deal with Third Side Music, beginning a phase of rapid international expansion.
- 2017–2024: Through the partnership, the duo secures placements in high-profile television series, major feature films, global advertising campaigns, and high-end video games.
- 2025: The duo reaches a 10-year milestone with their core team at TSM.
- 2026 (Current): Sofi Tukker and Third Side Music formally launch "Animal Talk Publishing," a joint venture designed to sign and develop emerging talent.
Strategic Implications: Why Now?
The decision to launch Animal Talk Publishing at this juncture in their career is highly strategic. For artists at the level of Sofi Tukker, the transition into the publishing side of the industry represents a "pay-it-forward" model. By leveraging their own success and their deep-rooted relationship with TSM, they are now positioned to act as curators.
This joint venture allows the duo to provide the same level of administrative care and creative advocacy they received from TSM to a new generation of artists. In the current economic climate of the music industry, where independent publishing is increasingly squeezed by major conglomerate acquisitions, the existence of artist-led publishing ventures like Animal Talk is vital for the health of the creative ecosystem.
Perspectives from the Principals
The announcement was met with mutual enthusiasm from both the artists and the executive team at Third Side Music. Brontë Jane, the executive vice president of A&R at Third Side Music, who signed the duo a decade ago, framed the development as a natural evolution of a "family" dynamic.
"Sophie and Tucker have been at the heart of TSM for a decade now and truly feel like family," Jane noted in a formal statement. "They consistently define what it means to be a career artist by valuing longevity and uncompromising creative expression. Establishing Animal Talk Publishing together and simultaneously extending our global deal is both the start and continuation of an extremely special relationship that will only continue to build."
For the duo, the sentiment is rooted in gratitude and a desire to formalize the collaborative spirit they have enjoyed for years. "It is rare in the music industry to work with the same team for 10-plus years," Hawley-Weld and Halpern stated. "Synch has been such a huge part of our story. We are so grateful for how far our music has traveled around the world because of all the work Third Side has done. We are very proud to pay it forward by bringing other artists into the Third Side family."
Industry Context: The Value of Independent Publishing
The music publishing sector is currently dominated by the "Big Three"—Universal, Sony, and Warner. However, the success of Third Side Music, bolstered by high-profile partnerships like the one with Sofi Tukker, illustrates the persistent power of the independent model.
Publishing administration is often overlooked by casual listeners, yet it is the bedrock of an artist’s financial stability. When a song is placed in a film, a commercial, or a television show, it is the publisher’s job to ensure the songwriter is correctly compensated and that the song is protected from unauthorized use. By maintaining an independent administrator, Sofi Tukker has managed to retain more control over their master and publishing rights than many of their contemporaries who signed early, restrictive "all-in" deals with major labels.
Analyzing the Impact of Synch Success
The mention of "450+ synch placements" is perhaps the most significant statistic in this announcement. In the digital age, a song’s presence in a high-profile medium can introduce an artist to millions of new listeners instantaneously.
Sofi Tukker’s sound—characterized by its polyglot lyrics, global instrumentation, and dance-floor energy—is uniquely suited for visual media. Whether it is a luxury brand commercial or a dramatic sequence in a streaming series, their music provides an atmosphere that is both recognizable and distinct. Through this new joint venture, it is highly likely that Animal Talk Publishing will focus on grooming talent that shares this "synch-friendly" quality, potentially creating a pipeline of music that Third Side can pitch to their global network of music supervisors.
The Future of Animal Talk Publishing
As Animal Talk Publishing begins operations, the industry will be watching to see which artists are brought into the fold. The venture serves as a litmus test for whether a successful artist-led publishing company can successfully translate the aesthetic success of its founders into the long-term career development of newcomers.
With Third Side Music handling the technical heavy lifting—the copyright registrations, the royalty collections, and the global licensing—the duo is free to focus on A&R. This division of labor is efficient and mitigates the risks associated with starting a new business venture while maintaining an active touring and recording schedule.
Conclusion
The launch of Animal Talk Publishing by Sofi Tukker and Third Side Music is more than just a business headline; it is a signal of the maturation of a modern electronic act. By securing their own publishing future and extending their reach to mentor and represent others, Hawley-Weld and Halpern are securing their legacy in the music industry.
As the lines between artist, curator, and executive continue to blur in the 21st century, the model established by Sofi Tukker and Third Side Music provides a blueprint for how artists can thrive by building their own ecosystem rather than simply working within one provided by others. With ten years of proven success behind them, the duo is now poised to influence the next decade of music not just through their own compositions, but through the talent they choose to champion.
