advertisement
FYI

Offair Imprint Partners With Universal Music Canada

Universal Music Canada has partnered with Offair Records, a new creative imprint launched by creative agency Versus Creative with UMC and Virgin Music Artists’ labe

Offair Imprint Partners With Universal Music Canada

By David Farrell

Universal Music Canada has partnered with Offair Records, a new creative imprint launched by creative agency Versus Creative with UMC and Virgin Music Artists’ label artists division responsible for global distribution.


Versus’ Creative’s founder Rishi Shah and partner Nate Auerbach co-founded the new imprint, which hopes to take a fresh approach in marketing ambient and other instrumental music styles using different platforms to brand and promote Offair’s music and artists.

“Instead of music getting stuck in your head, we want your head to get lost in the music,” the partners explain about their “foreground music” imprint.

“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, UMC Chair and CEO Jeffrey Remedios said in a statement, adding that the imprint’s team “has created a distinct and compelling brand that invites artists to explore mood music while centring the creative process.” 

advertisement

Among the first artists signed to the new label is 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 (born Niia Bertino), an American singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, with record producer Oh No and recording artist, music director and drummer, Pauli the PSM, to follow, with more to be announced soon.  

advertisement
Goldie Boutilier
Courtesy Photo

Goldie Boutilier

Awards

Goldie Boutilier Leads List of Nominees For 2026 East Coast Music Awards: Full List

Other leading contenders are Daniel James McFadyen, Mallory Johnson and Cassie and Maggie. This year's event follows a year shrouded in controversy.

The East Coast Music Awards are back after a year of controversy.

The 2025 edition of the East Coast Music Awards was surrounded by controversy over the firing of the previous East Coast Music Association CEO Blanche Israël. Several artists boycotted the association's awards show and conference and called for transparency about governance and the nomination processes. In March 2025, the trade org published a six-point action plan, and later appointed former Great Big Sea member Bob Hallett as the new Executive Director.

keep readingShow less
advertisement