Primary Wave has signed a song-rights agreement with Brian Vander Ark, covering most of The Verve Pipe’s catalogue alongside his solo work. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The agreement excludes the band’s latest album, Reconciled (2025), but includes its earlier studio releases, children’s records, live albums and other projects.
Catalogue covered by the agreement
Formed in Michigan in 1992, The Verve Pipe debuted with I’ve Suffered a Head Injury. The band followed it with Pop Smear in 1993 and the Platinum-certified Villains, released through RCA in 1996.
Villains includes “Photograph.” Vander Ark wrote the album’s songs, as well as many tracks the band recorded later.
The group subsequently released six more studio albums, including Underneath in 2001 and Reconciled in 2025. Its 2007 holiday extended play, A Homemade Holiday, is also covered by the agreement.
The deal additionally includes Vander Ark’s solo studio and live albums. Among the projects covered are:
- Resurrection (2002).
- Angel, Put Your Face On (2005).
- Simple Truths (2016), a collaboration with Jeff Daniels.
Neither party offered comment on the agreement. The Verve Pipe is touring, with performances scheduled through December.
Primary Wave’s recent acquisitions
The transaction adds to Primary Wave’s 2026 activity. Over the past month, it has announced intellectual property agreements involving Savage Garden’s Daniel Jones and “Addicted to Love” singer-songwriter Robert Palmer, among others.
In April, Primary Wave closed its fourth fund at $2.2 billion. The publisher described it as “the largest dedicated closed-end music royalties fund raised to date in the industry.”
Other music-rights transactions
Several other companies have completed music-rights investments since the start of September:
- HarbourView invested in the intellectual property of producer David Kershenbaum.
- MNRK Music acquired recordings by Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society.
- Pophouse purchased a 50% stake in Sia’s body of work for $180 million.
