In this week's column: Universal and the Parker & Mr. French group team up, Ed Sheeran tops the album chart after nearly a year meandering in it, an opportunity to write music for next year's Sydney Festival, and news from three industry awards nights that occurred last week!

In this week's edition: Karise Eden ploughs on at the top of the charts, For All Eternity, Violent Soho & The Janoskins all get signed to record deals, and SxSW starts revving up and calls for applications for attendees.