New Signing

Nettwerk-managed indie pop-folk artist Radical Face (aka Ben Cooper) -- who released his critically-acclaimed sophomore album The Family Tree: The Roots in North America in October on his own Bear Machine label -- has just inked a deal with Nettwerk's label side for the album's release in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Family Tree: The Roots will be out at the end of January/early February (release dates vary across each territory). Hauntingly beautiful, Radical Face’s new album glimmers with folk, pop and Ben’s wide-open vocals. His European tour kicks off January 23rd with back to back sold-out shows in London. See below for full list of dates. 

After four years of honing the album concept, which depicts the life and tribulations of a family from the 1800’s, Ben recorded The Family Tree: The Roots alone in a tool shed and limited the songwriting to instruments that would have been accessible in the 1800’s. Incorporating piano, acoustic guitar, a floor tom, and voices, he only brought in additional instruments of the era during tracking when needed. From soaring tracks like “A Pound of Flesh” and “Severus and Stone,” to eerily dark pieces like “Black Eyes” and “Kin,” to warm, enlightening gems like “Always Gold” and “Mountains,” the songs flow together with mindful artistic clarity, allowing the listener to fully escape into the album as the stories unravel.

Keep reading for European tour dates.

Young Liars - Colours Single by nettwerkmusicgroup

Nettwerk Records is pleased to announce the signing of Vancouver’s latest indie rock sensation, Young Liars. Comprised of five multi-instrumentalists, Young Liars deftly experiments with synth-pop, electronic and indie rock to create catchy indie pop hooks.

Revered as an integral part of the local soundscape, the quintet’s compelling style has set them apart from indie rockers of the same flavor with driving, layered and thoughtful arrangements.

Young Liars is the latest addition to Nettwerk’s expanding label roster, which includes active artists like Ladytron, Peter Murphy, Angus & Julia Stone, William Fitzsimmons, as well as catalogue artists like Old Crow Medicine Show and fun.

In near infancy, the blog darlings have already garnered sold-out shows and a promising EP, Homesick Future (set for release February 21st). Today, Nettwerk Records shares lead track, “Colours,” from the forthcoming EP. Included in the release is a remix by fellow countrymen, Teen Daze.

Pop-duo Ash Koley have released a new video for their latest single, "Apple Of My Eye," from their Canadian debut album Inventions, which is set for US release in 2012 on Nettwerk. The single is also available for purchase on iTunes now HERE.

Singer Ash Koley and producer/songwriter Phil Deschambault began their musical collaboration in 2004, when the two self-proclaimed nerds from Winnipeg were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Phil was looking for a singer who could relate to his sound, and Ash's velvety voice did just that. Together, their sound is an amalgamation of diverse influences, from Abba to the Eurythmics, and from Peter Gabriel to Radiohead. The result is a band that is a full embodiment of what they each bring to the duo - quirky charm and upbeat classic pop music.

Stay tuned for more news from Ash Koley.

Young Liars and Nettwerk co-founders snap a photo with the infamaous Spirit Bear in front of Nettwerk's Vancouve office. (From left to right: Andrew Beck, Jordan Raine, Angelo Ismirnioglou, Ty Badali, Wesley Nickel, Mark Jowett (Nettwerk), Ric Arboit (Nettwerk), Digory Smallz (Young Liars Managmeent) 

Nettwerk Records is excited to announce the signing of Young Liars to its label roster. The Vancouver-based band, comprised of five multi-instrumentalists, is revered as an integral part of the ever-changing local soundscape, deftly experimenting with synth-pop, electronic and indie rock to create catchy indie pop hooks. Stay tuned for more news on Young Liars, including information on their upcoming debut full-length being released in 2012. 

Nettwerk is excited to announce the addition of Toronto-based singer/songwriter Liam Titcomb to its label roster. Liam has toured across Canada with established acts like Great Big Sea, Tom Cochrane, David Usher & Colin James. In 2006, he was nominated for the Canadian Radio Music Awards for Best New Group or Solo Artist (Hot AC) for his debut album on Columbia with Grammy-winning producer Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson). He self-released his sophomore album, Can’t Let Go, which was recorded in Nashville with Jay Joyce (Patti Griffin, Derek Trucks). He has lived between Nashville and the UK over the past year and is currently working on his third album.

Liam (who is also a recent addition to the Nettwerk Management roster) is set to release a beautiful rendition of the favorite holiday song "Silver Bells" on November 15th in iTunes, with his Nettwerk debut full-length coming in 2012.

Outside Nettwerk's Vancouver Office On Signing Day
From left to right: Digory Smallz (Joshua Hyslop's Manager), Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Records), Julia Ruch (Joshua Hyslop's Fiance), Joshua Hyslop, Mark Jowett (VP International A&R, Nettwerk)

Nettwerk is excited to announce the addition of Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Joshua Hyslop to its label roster. Joshua is folk musician with a modern edge, pulling inspiration from artists like Ryan Adams, Iron and Wine and Sufjan Stevens.

Nettwerk CEO Terry McBride is thrilled about the newest label addition: "Josh is an amazing songwriter with a voice that will melt the toughest heart!."

Stay tuned for more information on this up-and-coming talent.

Nettwerk is excited to announce that Peter Murphy has signed to its label roster to release his upcoming ninth studio album, aptly titled Ninth, out June 7, 2011. The former Bauhaus iconic frontman has also just announced spring tour dates, including a stop in Austin, TX during SXSW.

Murphy is the latest addition to Nettwerk’s growing label roster, which currently includes active artists like Ladytron, Angus & Julia Stone and fellow recent signing William Fitzsimmons, as well as catalogue artists like Skinny Puppy and Severed Head. Says Mark Jowett, Nettwerk VP of International A&R/Publishing, “We are honored to be releasing Peter’s excellent new album Ninth and to introduce him to a whole new bastion of fans.”

Currently living between Istanbul and New York City, Peter ignited a new generation of fans in 2009 while appearing with Trent Reznor during his final Nine Inch Nails tour at New York’s Terminal 5. He caused a sensation joining Reznor and his band to perform The Downward Spiral favorite "Reptile,” along with Murphy’s "Strange Kind Of Love” and Bauhaus' "Kick in the Eye.”

Always one to capture the zeitgeist of the moment, 2010 saw Murphy also in a central cameo appearance as “The Cold One” in Eclipse, the most recent installment of the Twilight series. When approached about the role, flattered and amused by the offer, Murphy said, “Who else could have and should have done it?” he laughed. “It was really lovely and smart of David Slade to ask me…I was honored, actually.”

(Continue reading for more information and tour dates...)

To Watch Pt.1 Of A 3-Part Short Film, Finding Home, Click HERE Or Preview Above
(Directed by Josh Franer and includes footage, interviews and live performances)

“Mr. Fitzsimmons makes music so lovely and intimate…songs that are delicate, tender and achingly romantic…” –Wall Street Journal

“William Fitzsimmons: A songwriter with vision…” – NPR

Nettwerk Records is excited to announce the signing of indie troubadour William Fitzsimmons to its label roster. Fitzsimmons’ first release on Nettwerk, Gold In The Shadow, is scheduled for March 22, 2011.

His first two full-length albums, Until When We Are Ghosts (2005) and Goodnight (2006) were self-produced and recorded by Fitzsimmons at his former home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His impressive first studio record, 2008's The Sparrow And The Crow, reached #1 on the iTunes Top Folk Albums chart and was named Folk album of the year by the iTunes staff in the US and Australia. In addition, Fitzsimmons’ music has also been featured in a wide variety of places including ABC's Brothers & Sisters, MTV’s Life Of Ryan, 16 and Pregnant, CW’s One Tree Hill, ABC Family’s Greek, and Lifetime’s Army Wives and he has been featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, Paste, Spin, Musikexpress, Uncut, Q Magazine, and Performing Songwriter Magazine.

Nettwerk Music Group is excited to announce the signing of rising Chinese star Wanting Qu to its management, label and publishing rosters. Wanting is in the midst of recording her first full-length English album, due out next year.

Wanting (whose last name Qu means "music, song, melody") started to sing before she could even talk. Her mother recalls, "You would know when she was awake because she’d be singing the theme song from this Chinese TV series called ‘Undercover Cop' loudly in bed to the ceiling, every morning.”

Wanting left her family and China when she was 16 and entered Canada as an international business student. It wasn't long before she realized her true passion and dream was to become an influential recording artist. She went on to earn her degree in business, but also tried her hand at songwriting in both Chinese and English and began performing in the Toronto area. She relocated to Vancouver, continuing to write and perform at events. It was there that she caught the attention of Nettwerk Music Group, home of such stars as Sarah McLachlan and Dido.

Wanting recently had three songs featured in a Mercedes Benz commercial and compilation album, which was distributed and promoted widely in China and has led to extensive attention around her, especially in her hometown of Harbin. She recently performed to over 10,000 people at a local festival, and she is now creating a following in Beijing.

Nettwerk is excited to announce the signing of New York-based alt-pop duo The Pierces to its management roster. The Pierces--sisters Catherine Pierce and Allison Pierce--released their self-titled debut album in 2000, but really caught the attention of music critics and music supervisors with the release of their third album, Thirteen Tales Of Love And Revenge, in 2007.

Produced by Roger Greenawalt (Nils Lofgren, Radish, Ben Kweller), Thirteen Tales Of Love And Revenge had a darker, edgier style, at times using such diverse instruments as an accordion, a calliope, bassoons, a sitar, violins, an autoharp, and a Hawaiian lap steel. It marked a definitive change in the direction of the band, which up until this point had been known as a folk rock band.

On December 5, 2007, The Pierces appeared on Gossip Girl, playing the infectious "Secret" and "Three Wishes". "Secret" was also used in promo spots for 'Dexter,' and is currently the theme song for the new critically acclaimed ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars. Check out the official music video for "Secret" above.