Cyclone Records
Cyclone Records, an independent record-label and music-management firm based in Toronto, Ontario, began as a means for unsigned, promising artists to gain exposure through CD-compilations and radio-airplay. The first such release, called On the Verge: Alberta's Best Rock emerged after the pre-screening of hundreds of potential artists. The second release, The Heart of Alberta, comprised of pop, country and folk artists. This strategy expanded to include full-length releases through Cyclone Records's promotion, production and distribution services.
In late 2005 Cyclone Records undertook a compilation of 14 metal-artists from Calgary, Alberta called The Greatest Underground Show on Earth. As a result, the album and artists received so much attention that Cyclone Records became recognized internationally as a metal-label with much of its roster and catalogue reflecting that distinction.
Staying true to its strategy of "great music by great artists", Cyclone Records did not relegate itself to that one genre, and responded by broadening its repertoire to include more country, folk, acoustic and rock acts into its family.
Taking full advantage of the latest technologies, Cyclone Records uses podcasts, online retailers such as iTunes, Napster and other online retail chains to Make Music available internationally. The start of its own in-house podcast production, Eye of the Storm, further explored the benefits of an international audience through downloadable and archivable sound-files.
Cyclone also works as a sub-licensing agent for artists outside of its roster and distributes both through bricks-and-mortar and online retailers. It promotes artists to radio and operates a CD/DVD manufacturing brokerage.
Cyclone Records also has a branch office in Calgary, Alberta.
Artists
- Allen Christie Band
- BlackSky
- Caveat
- Creature Republic
- Holly Woods (formerly of Toronto)
- Inner Surge
- Pitch Union
- Steve Negus (formerly of Saga)
- Tripchord
- Twelve34
- Wormbox
Discography
2005
- Double Jack - One Chance
- Various - On the Verge: Alberta's Best Rock
- Various - Heart of Alberta
- Creature Republic - Watch Your Aim
- Good Question - New Retro
2006
- Various - The Greatest Underground Show on Earth
- Wormbox - Wormbox
- Inner Surge - Matrika
- Inner Surge - Signals Screaming
- Various - Canadian Metal in Japan (co-released with NoneMore Black Records)
- Pitch Union - Mohawk Clock Machine
- Various - Storm Warning: Vol.1
- Tripchord - Surviving the System
2007
- Creature Republic - Apparitions
- Allen Christie - Allen Christie
- BlackSky - Illumination
- Caveat - Red
- Wormbox - The Judas Chair
- Holly Woods - Live It Up!
- Various - The Greatest Underground Show on Earth: Vol.2
- twelve34 - The Only Cure
- Negus - Dare to Dream
- Inner Surge - An Offering
Press
Independent Clauses states: "Cyclone Records is bringing a fresh approach to music distribution and promotion. This is the way a record label should be run. They’re pretty clever up there at Cyclone- we’re a little envious that we didn’t think of it first."
Virus Zine says: "Cyclone Records is very different from other labels in exactly the kind of ways a label should be different. It's an all encompassing entity that has helped the bands on its roster achieve more exposure, gain a wider fanbase, and continue to grow as artists."
Interview with Cyclone Records founder Brad Trew by Chris Andrade on May 25, 2006 for kMNR...Music News Weekly
See also
- List of record labels
External links
- Official site
- MySpace site
- "Cyclone Causes Stir:Indie Label Sells Its Integrity" article in The Calgary Sun