Formerly with Dine Alone Records and Nevado Records, the Toronto-based label exec joined Last Gang in 2017 where he served as director of marketing and A&R.
MNRK Music Group has announced the promotion of Dan Hawie to managing director of Last Gang Records. Effective immediately, Hawie will oversee Last Gang’s finances and assume expanded leadership across A&R and brand strategy. Based in Toronto, he will report to Randy Derebegian, vp of artist development, and Chris Moncada, coo of MNRK Music Group.
"I’m incredibly honoured to carry the legacy of Last Gang forward," Hawie says. "Twenty-one years in, our ‘Us Against The World’ mentality continues to fuel everything we do. Foundational artists like Death From Above 1979, Metric, and Mother Mother are still shaping culture today, while our new guard, including Bella Poarch, Ho99o9, Loving, and Mondo Cozmo, continues to push boundaries and move the culture forward. I’m grateful to help preserve that independent spirit, and especially proud to champion such incredible art with the same passion and belief as the artists creating it.”
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Hawie previously held key marketing positions at Dine Alone Records and Nevado Records, before joining Last Gang in 2017. Most recently serving as director of marketing and A&R, he steered global operations and campaigns for both Last Gang and Dualtone Records in Canada. Over his career, Hawie has worked with talent including The Lumineers, Death From Above 1979, Chromeo, Keys N Krates, Kathleen Edwards, Stars and more.
Last Gang Records was founded in 2003 by top Canadian music industry lawyer Chris Taylor and late concert promoter Donald K. Tarlton. It was acquired by Entertainment One in March 2016, with Taylor being appointed the new president of eOne Music, now MNRK Music Group, considered one of the largest independent music companies worldwide, operating in all major music markets. Taylor left MNRK in 2024 to found Hall of Fame Artists management company.
Hawie continues a link to Last Gang's legacy in its latest evolution.
“Dan cares deeply about the legacy of the label and the artists who built it," says Moncada. "I’m thrilled to see him evolve into this role and continue to forge the path of Last Gang for years to come.”
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“Dan has already been an integral part of Last Gang’s success over the past decade, and I couldn’t be happier for him to move into the role of managing director to provide extra focus to this next phase of the label," Derebegian adds. "He has the relationships and ear for what will help shape the future of Last Gang, and the timing is perfect with exciting new projects and signings underway.”
Last Gang has had a Canadian indie rock bent, especially during its heyday in the 2000s and 2010s. Artists who have released work on Last Gang include Metric, Stars, Death From Above 1979, The New Pornographers, Arkells, Mother Mother, Billy Talent, Lights, K-OS and Crystal Castles.
The current roster includes HO99O9, Loing, Mondo Cozmo, Amy Millan, Stars, Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton, Keys N Krates and more, and the label is continuing to evolve with the recent signing of social media star and singer Bella Poarch.
