Arts & Crafts, Home of Broken Social Scene, Signs U.S. Distribution Deal With Caroline
Toronto-based independent artist services company, Arts & Crafts, has struck a new partnership with Caroline, Capitol Music Group's indie-centric label services division.
Toronto-based independent artist services company, Arts & Crafts, has struck a new partnership with Caroline, Capitol Music Group’s indie-centric label services division. Through the deal, announced today, Caroline will handle U.S. distribution for A&C’s artist roster, beginning with a forthcoming release by its founding artist Broken Social Scene.
It’s not a new pairing, exactly — the companies have worked together before. “We are thrilled to be once again working with the team at Caroline,” said Kieran Roy, A&C’s president and co-owner. “They were integral in the early success of Arts & Crafts, and with an exciting forthcoming release schedule, we believe this new arrangement puts the label and our artists in the best position for success.”
Co-founded in 2003 by former Virgin Records exec Jeffrey Remedios and Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew as a vehicle to release the band’s debut LP, the A&C family has grown to include a label, artist management, events, merchandising and music publishing.
(Universal Music Canada will continue to distribute A&C in Canada.)
Aside from the upcoming, as-yet-untitled album by BSS, the group’s first since 2010, A&C’s 2017 U.S. release schedule includes music from Overcoats, Tom Chaplin, Kid Koala, Dan Mangan, Reuben and the Dark and Cold Specks, among others. A&C is also the Canadian home of artists including Moby, Fucked Up and Japandroids, which earlier this year released the acclaimed Near To The Wild Heart Of Life album. Another member of the roster, Tragically Hip legend Gord Downie, won three Juno Awards over the weekend for his solo work (and another two with the Hip, which are on Universal Canada).
The label recently announced its annual festival, Field Trip, will return to Toronto on June 3-4.
“We are extremely proud of our renewed partnership with Arts & Crafts,” said Piero Giramonti, gm at Caroline/Harvest Records. “They have consistently been the preeminent independent Canadian label, exhibiting impeccable taste throughout their history, with an unwavering commitment to artistry of the highest order.”
CMG’s Caroline, which prides itself as being “independent to our core,” provides distribution and/or other services to a host of other labels, including ATO Records, Fader Label and Big Loud Records, among many others.