New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Universal
Music Canada today announced the launch of its new label imprint, Maison Barclay Canada, named for, and in collaboration with, France's storied Barclay label (a Universal
Music Group company, originally founded in the 1950s by famed French record producer, Eddie Barclay). The label is focused on discovering and signing culturally-relevant, progressive Canadian artists, and developing and promoting their work - not only in Quebec and Canada, but jointly in France and around the world.
Maison Barclay Canada's inaugural signings are two exceptional and important artists that exemplify the spirit, energy and cultural soul of the label. Karim Ouellet, the Dakar-born, Quebec-raised JUNO-Award winning artist known for blending soul, rock and reggae electronics; and Eli Rose, a Montreal-based urban pop leaning singer-songwriter with an ever-evolving style and over a decade of musical experimentation under her belt.
"There is so much incredible talent originating in Quebec and Canada - artists who are creating world class music that resonates globally," said Jeffrey Remedios, President & CEO, Universal
Music Canada. "By bringing the full weight and resources of Universal
Music Canada to support a bespoke, highly curated, focused label roster in Maison Barclay Canada, we will lean into the future, championing our artists both here at home and with our Universal
Music colleagues worldwide. I'd like to thank Karim and Eli for their belief and trust as the first to join us on this exciting journey."
"For us at Barclay, the launch of Maison Barclay Canada means the beginning of an historical chapter that will only reinforce the relationships and the cultural and musical exchanges that France and Canada have created over the last 60 years," said
Benjamin Chulvanij, General
Director of Barclay in France. "We want to congratulate Jeffrey Remedios and his team and assure our full collaboration in their future endeavours. Long live Maison Barclay Canada!"
Operations will be shared jointly between Universal
Music Canada's newly redesigned office in Montreal's Old Port, along with the full support and resources of the entire UMC team in Toronto. The company introduces Guillaume Moffet as Director, Maison Barclay Canada. Under the leadership of Remedios and in close collaboration with long-time Quebec head of operations
Sophie Barbe, Moffet will focus on building the Maison Barclay Canada brand, exploring strategic partnerships and driving the label's continued growth.
After starting his career as a music journalist across radio, print and broadcast platforms, Moffet joined SOCAN in 2014 as an A&R executive, before his start at Spotify Canada as a Senior editor, curating French, Indie, Folk and Country playlists for Canadian and U.S. users. He is co-chair of the JUNO Awards Francophone Committee and has been a member of the Polaris Prize Jury since 2009.
Watch for new music and performance dates coming soon from Karim Ouellet. Eli Rose plays the Francos de Montréal festival on June 22 and will be part of the lineup of Osheaga's School Night Takeover at the
Drake Underground on June 24. Her latest single "Carrousel" is out now, with her debut album expected this Fall from Maison Barclay Canada.
ABOUT KARIM OUELLET
Hailing from Dakar but having grown up in Quebec City, singer-songwriter Karim Ouellet offers a sophisticated take on pop, combining soul, rock and r&b with grace. After the release of his debut LP PLUME (2011), Ouellet quickly released the follow-up FOX (Coyote Records, 2012) and soon became one of the loudest young voices in Quebecois pop: Radio-Canada made him a Revelation for 2012-2013, he won the prestigious Felix-Leclerc award for the #1 hit "L'amour", he became a seven-time ADISQ nominee and his album FOX won Francophone album of the year at the JUNOs 2013. All the while, he continued to rack up #1's at Quebec radio, putting him in good position to release his third album TRENTE (Coyote Records, 2016), which helped him cement his envious position in the market. One of the most exciting voices in francophone music, Karim is currently busy writing and recording a fourth full-length album, expected in 2020 from Maison Barclay Canada.
ABOUT ELI ROSE
Accumulating 10 years of musical experimentation, Montreal, Quebec based artist Eli Rose has surrounded herself with renowned collaborators such as Ruffsound (Koriass, Loud, Zaho), DRMS (Ariane Moffatt, Fanny Bloom), Realmind (Loud, Allie X), Banx & Ranx (Sean Paul, Ella Eyre), June Nawakii (Nicki Minaj), Billboard (Britney Spears, Shakira) and Mike Clay (Robotaki, Clay and Friends) to create an addictive urban pop music with strong American influences. In the studio, the surprising combination of her angelical voice over urban and electronica beats produces a very contemporary sound rarely heard in francophone pop. In 2017, her independently produced single "Soleil" propelled her in the BDS top 10 and instantly made her a young talent to look out for. With her next LP, out on Maison Barclay Canada in 2019, Eli Rose promises to live it up and, above all, to remain as unique as ever.
Universal
Music Canada is Canada's leading music company, engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Home to the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMC is committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship in broadening opportunities for our artists on both the domestic and world stages as well as creating new experiences for fans.
Universal
Music Canada is part of Universal
Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment.
