UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA AND VERSUS CREATIVE LAUNCH OFFAIR RECORDS
ALBUM FROM PRODUCER DUO HIGHLAND PARK SLEEP COLLECTIVE OUT NOW WITH RELEASES BY ANDERS FRIDÉN, NIIA AND MORE TO FOLLOW
Tim Anderson + Filip Nikolic of Highland Park Sleep Collective
LISTEN TO HIGHLAND PARK SLEEP COLLECTIVE’S OFFAIR: MUSIC FOR WATER HERE
27 AUGUST 2021 (TORONTO, ON) – Universal Music Canada (UMC), the country’s leading music company, and Versus Creative today launched OFFAIR Records, a new label centering on mood music and intentional listening experiences.
The joint venture will receive global distribution by UMC and Virgin Music Label + Artist Services. With a community of established artists exploring beyond their familiar sonic territories, OFFAIR’s series of releases will bring instrumental and experimental soundtracks to environments, mental spaces and shared universal moments. The OFFAIR mission is to create deeper experiences with music.
OFFAIR co-founders Rishi Shah and Nate Auerbach, along with their world-class creative and digital marketing team at Versus Creative, will be pathfinders for artists who crave a platform to craft music specific to their own creative processes and listener-specific mindsets. OFFAIR is building a brand, community, and distribution system together with their partners at UMC and Virgin Music to drive intentional listening, supported by special events, partnerships and more.
“Instead of music getting stuck in your head, we want your head to get lost in the music. OFFAIR is about foreground music – not what you put on in the background while you do something else,” said Shah and Auerbach. “Through OFFAIR we want to drive a deeper connection between how we listen and what our minds and bodies are doing while we listen.”
“Finding ways to unplug and stay present while leaning into music that brings focus to our intentions is so powerful – and perhaps more important now than ever. The OFFAIR team have created a distinct and compelling brand that invites artists to explore mood music while centering the creative process,” said Jeffrey Remedios, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Canada. “Through this label joint venture, we’re proud to work alongside Rishi, Nate, and our colleagues at Virgin Music to invite the world to join us off air.”
Among the first artists signed to the new label are Highland Park Sleep Collective, a duo formed by producers Tim Anderson and Filip Nikolic (formerly of Poolside) whose production credits include Billie Eilish, Pabllo Vittar and King Princess. They put their own twist on the ambient genre with their album OFFAIR: Music For Water, out now.
Releases from Anders Fridén, Swedish singer-songwriter and vocalist of the metal band In Flames, Niia, a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter recognized as one of the top jazz singers in the United States, with record producer Oh No and recording artist, music director and drummer, Pauli the PSM, to follow, with more to be announced soon.
The OFFAIR concept originated with the OFFAIR phone-free performance series at Brooklyn's Public Records in 2020, featuring unique performances by Orion Sun, Rapheal Saadiq, Moses Sumney, Angel Olsen and more. The show series dedicated to creating deeper experiences with music was the genesis of OFFAIR Records.
About Universal Music Canada
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.
About Virgin Music Label + Artist Services
Virgin Music Label + Artist Services is a network of regional hubs strategically positioned in the world’s leading music markets that delivers premium artist and label services to the industry’s most dynamic entrepreneurs and independent talent. Founded on the spirit and ethos of the Virgin brand, long synonymous with disruptive innovation and musical creativity, Virgin Music Label & Artists Services provides artists and labels with global and regional solutions and resources from fully staffed operations across major music markets, including the fast-growing Latin music territories, with more to come.
Universal Music Canada and Virgin Music Label + Artist Services are part of Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment.
About Versus Creative
Versus Creative is a multi-Clio Award winning music-focused creative agency that specializes in building communities and experiences that connect people to music and culture. Founded by 2019 Billboard Digital Power Players Rishi Shah and Nate Auerbach, they have recently worked with Amazon Music, Spotify, Coachella, Stagecoach and the Goldenvoice suite of festivals and more. They have partnered with artists including Vampire Weekend, Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Phoebe Bridgers, Solange and CHVRCHES to help bring their visions to fans. Ahead of the 2020 election Versus lent its expertise to Rolling Stone and Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight to get out the vote; they also work closely with the Republic Records Action Committee to manifest the company’s commitment to social causes. Following the 2021 Super Bowl, Versus served on the team that helped bring to life Oatly’s smash hit commercial, “Wow No Cow” with a 60-track covers compilation. Versus’ mission is to provide a bridge between the creative space and the digital creating lasting cultural touchpoints.