Canadian alternative label Sonic Unyon Records has pacted an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with New York-based Caroline Distribution effective Jan. 1. Sonic Unyon is currently distributed in the U.S. by NAIL/Allegro of Portland, Ore.
“Caroline and Sonic Unyon are kindred spirits, doing similar things in two neighboring countries,” notes Caroline VP of label relations Michael Bull. “We’ve seen what a terrific job Sonic Unyon can do as a label group, and as a distributor (with affiliated Sonic Distribution) for us in Canada.”
“Sonic Unyon has been working and learning from Caroline for several years now,” says Sonic Unyon co-owner Mark Milne in Hamilton, Ontario. “Size aside, the similarities between the two companies are numerous and the relationship between them has become closer in recent years. Being a distributor of Caroline labels in Canada has afforded us the chance to see first hand the passion and hard work that they pour into their distribution service.”
The distribution agreement will commence with the American re-release of two Sonic Unyon 2005 titles on Jan. 24: “Wrath of Circuits,” the debut album by North Carolina quartet the Nein, and “Bitter Hands Resign,” the sophomore Sonic Unyon album by Canadian pop quintet A Northern Chorus.
The next month will see the American release of “Eyes Just Like Forest Fires,” the debut album by Southern Ontario emo quartet Sleeper Set Sail, along with “RGB,” a ten year retrospective CD/DVD 2-disc set from Sonic Unyon spacerockers Sianspheric.
Both albums had been released in Canada in 2005 but have not been released in other markets.
The first CD to be simultaneously released in North America will be from Toronto’s trio Raising the Fawn with “The Maginot Line” slated for a March 2006 release.
