Australia’s music industry is mourning the loss of Matthew Capper, the long-serving former managing director of Warner Chappell Australia, who died unexpectedly earlier this month following a surgical procedure.
Capper suffered a ruptured appendix in late December, and could not fight off the infection after the operation, reads a statement from his family.
A stalwart with more than 20 years’ service at Warner Chappell Australia, Capper led the business as managing director from 2010, until his departure in February 2024, part of a company-wide downsizing.
Dan Rosen, president of Warner Music Australasia, remembers Capper as a top-notch executive, a good sport, and a great person. “He cared deeply about the songwriters he represented,” Rosen writes in a message to staff, The Music Network reports, “and his efforts to protect and celebrate their music made a lasting impact on Warner Chappell and the broader music community in Australia. He was above all else, in every interaction, a gentleman.”
In 2005, Capper became the youngest person ever appointed to the AMCOS board at the age of just 28. Two years later, in 2007, he became the youngest to join the APRA board, at 30. He remained a director on both boards until late February 2024, as well as serving as deputy chair of the AMCOS board from 2020-2024.
Friends, former colleagues and business rivals are paying their respects. “I’m completely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of dear friend and colleague, Matthew Capper. I remember Matthew as an incredibly sincere, principled professional who was passionate about music publishing. He was self-deprecating, always loved a joke and enjoyed spending time with colleagues,” comments Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.
“He had great regard for the work of APRA AMCOS and was very proud of his long connection to the organization and staff. He will be sorely missed by us all, and our thoughts go out to his friends and family at this very difficult time.”
Jenny Morris, chair of APRA, says Capper’s death is a tough one for the industry. “We have had many losses from the music industry family in the last few years, all of which have been sources of great sadness, but Matt’s death has been a huge shock,” she remarks. “Matt was one of the most decent, wise and funny people and I feel very privileged not only to have known him, but to have had his friendship.”
Capper, she continues, “worked with genuine care and a great amount of industry awareness on the APRA board, and on more than a few occasions sent supportive messages at just the right time. He was an empath as well.”
Through his career, Capper was a tireless advocate for the music publishers community. He was voted into the position as chair of the Australasian Music Publishers’ Association (AMPAL) in 2013, almost a decade after joining the trade body’s board, in 2004. Capper also represented AMPAL on the International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP) board, both as non-executive director and more recently as Treasurer, a position he was especially proud of. His involvement with ICMP extended to chairing its Australasia and Asia Regional Group.
“I was lucky to spend a lot of time with Matthew on the AMPAL, AMCOS and APRA boards, often travelling to Sydney together from Melbourne for meetings,” remembers Jaime Gough, chair of AMCOS. “Matthew was a true professional, a great mentor and sounding board. He was passionate about the songwriter and publisher members we represent, and a vocal advocate for their rights.”
Gough, managing director of Concord Music Publishing ANZ (formerly Native Tongue), continues, “I am still in a state of shock at Matthew’s passing. He had so much more to give to the music industry, many more meals to cook, and will be sorely missed. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
The late executive will not have a funeral, per his wishes.
Capper “reached some dizzying heights, and he met a lot of people that he greatly respected, even after meeting them,” reads the family statement. “We think he was quietly proud of his achievements. We certainly were. We’re also certain he thought he had a lot more work to do. Hopefully others have been inspired by him and can continue that.”
