Sakamoto Talent Agency announced the launch of a new record label Sakamoto Music, which will be distributed by Warner Music Canada. Their first signed artist is Chris Buck.
Sakamoto Music is being led by Joelle May, as Director of Promotions & Artist Services.
May will also be offering some a la carte services for artists through Sakamoto Music, to be announced in the near future, but says of the label’s creation, “The Sakamoto team is as excited as I am to be launching this new venture, and we couldn’t be happier that the first signing is Chris Buck, a long-time roster artist, talented songwriter and performer, and a trusted friend. Even better, we have the support of the exceptional talent at Warner Music Canada, who are cheering us on to help make this a success.”
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Partner in the label Ron Sakamoto is also future-looking, saying “The Sakamoto group of companies continues to grow and expand services for artists, and we’re excited to further build our relationship with Warner Music Canada. We can’t wait to get started in helping develop the careers of many more of the talented artists in Canadian music, and our first label signing is just the beginning!”
President of Warner Music Canada, Kristen Burke, says, “Warner Music Canada has been a proud partner with Sakamoto Agency for many years, most recently working alongside their team on The Washboard Union, Aaron Goodvin and The Abrams. We are thrilled to officially welcome Sakamoto Music into the family and support them in the development of Canadian talent.”
Sakamoto Music represents the latest expansion of several over the last two years. After spending much of 2020 giving back to the community through providing over 300 free streamed concerts to care homes across Canada, Sakamoto Agency partnered with GrassRoots Promotion in Nashville in 2021, launching radio promotions company GPS Promotion.
GPS has seen great success in its first year, including the top-charting independent CanCon single of 2021 with Hailey Benedict’s “Wanted You To”, which spent 8 weeks in the Top 30. GPS Promotion also pushed newcomer Raquel Cole into the Top 50, and worked singles for Doc Walker, Bobby Wills, The Prairie States, and many more.
With the signing of Chris Buck and the launch of the label, Sakamoto Music hopes to provide a home to artists that will help grow their careers, using a holistic approach to match artists needs, and offering GPS Promotion for radio promotions and Sakamoto Agency for live bookings.
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
