Arts & Crafts Launches New Country Label, Signs The Washboard Union

Celebrated Canadian independent music label Arts & Crafts is going country.

After making a major impact at home and abroad with such artists as Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars and Dan Mangan, it has just launched the new Arts & Crafts Country imprint and announced the signing of the Juno-winning, platinum-selling country group The Washboard Union.

Kieran Roy, President of Arts & Crafts, states that “Arts & Crafts prides itself on a diverse universe of music built on the label’s core pillars of creativity and community. 'Independent music made with care' – we have always been driven by inventiveness, without regard for the limits of genre. It is on that note that we are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Washboard Union, marking Arts & Crafts’ foray into country music and first signing to our newly minted A&C Country imprint.

"We have long been fans of The Washboard Union, one of Canada’s most beloved and talented bands, who perfectly embody the integrity of their craft through the group’s tireless evolution. We have watched and listened as the boundless reach of country music and culture has grown, and we are excited to share and be a part of what we believe will be Washboard’s most compelling music yet.”

Together more than a decade, the B.C.-based trio comprises Aaron Grain, Chris Duncombe and David Roberts. Their debut album, The Washboard Union, was released in 2012 and produced by heavyweights Garth Richardson and Bob Ezrin. The group was first signed by Slaight Music and Warner Music Canada, and their subsequent releases came out via WMC until they partnered with Universal Music Canada for their recent album, Westerly 

Live favourites on the country circuit, The Washboard Union have earned nine CCMA Awards, including three consecutive wins for Group of the Year and Roots Album of the year for Everbound (2020). They also made history as the first country band to receive a Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year. They’ve accumulated over 400,000 radio spins, and over and over 85 million streams, scored one Platinum and four Gold-certified singles in Canada.

The Washboard Union are playing select festival dates across Canada this summer while also in the studio recording new music, with a new single to be released this fall. They recently signed to ABC Music (for Australia and New Zealand), and are headed to Australia in October for their first run of shows. The forthcoming release will be the first under their new label partnerships with both Arts & Crafts and ABC Music.

"The Arts & Crafts team are, above all, music fans and innovators,” says Chris ”Dunner” Duncombe of The Washboard Union. “From our first conversations, it was clear that they understood who we are as artists. We’ve always believed in making music that’s truly authentic, so to partner with a label that values artistry and creativity is energizing. We’re excited to be the first country act to join the new Arts & Crafts Country label, and the three of us can’t wait for our fans to hear what we’ve got in store in the next chapter of The Washboard Union.”

Find The Washboard Union's upcoming tour dates here.