ANNOUNCING SAKAMOTO MUSIC, A NEW RECORD LABEL DIVISION OF SAKAMOTO AGENCY, WITH FIRST SIGNING CHRIS BUCK

For Immediate Release, February 16, 2022: Sakamoto Agency is excited to launch new record label Sakamoto Music, proudly distributed by Warner Music Canada. The first signing to the fledgling label is beloved Canadian country artist Chris Buck, who is releasing his first single since 2020, “Can’t Beat The View” to DSP’s on March 4, 2022. Buck, whose catalogue has gathered more than 13 million streams and 5 Top 40 hits to date, is also looking forward to the official music video for the single coming on March 18, directed by CCMA award winning director Stephano Barberis, and a full-length album due in fall 2022, produced by Jeremy Stover/Julian King and Dan Swinimer.

“Can’t Beat The View”, is an uplifting, feel-good song that speaks to the endless beauty the world has to offer, and finding the beauty of that special person that feels like home. It’s also the perfect lead out track for all of Chris Buck’s new ventures, signalling the unbeatable view into an exciting future, having recently signed a publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment in addition to the label signing with Sakamoto Music.

For Chris, it’s been a long time preparing for this moment, “After almost two years of writing and working harder than ever, that’s a really rewarding thing to be able to share,” he says, adding he’s been lucky to have a great relationship with the Sakamoto Agency team for years. “I’m so excited for this next chapter in my career, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear some of the new music I’ve recorded with award-winning producers Jeremy Stover, Julian King and Dan Swinimer.”

Sakamoto Music is being led by Joelle May, as Director of Promotions & Artist Services. May will also be offering some a la carte services for artists through Sakamoto Music, to be announced in the near future, but says of the label’s creation, “The Sakamoto team is as excited as I am to be launching this new venture, and we couldn’t be happier that the first signing is Chris Buck, a long-time roster artist, talented songwriter and performer, and a trusted friend. Even better, we have the support of the exceptional talent at Warner Music Canada, who are cheering us on to help make this a success.” 

President of Sakamoto Agency and Sakamoto Music Paul Biro, says, “It has been a goal to diversify Sakamoto Agency’s’ offerings for some time, so we are excited to finally launch Sakamoto Music. We’ve had a long and prosperous relationship with the team at Warner Music Canada and are honoured to work with them. I could not think of a more deserving first signing than our friend Chris Buck. He has worked so hard on developing his craft and defining his brand and we are proud to be partnered with him in the next phase of his career.”

Partner in the label Ron Sakamoto is also future-looking, saying “The Sakamoto group of companies continues to grow and expand services for artists, and we’re excited to further build our relationship with Warner Music Canada. We can’t wait to get started in helping develop the careers of many more of the talented artists in Canadian music, and our first label signing is just the beginning!” 

President of Warner Music Canada, Kristen Burke, says, “Warner Music Canada has been a proud partner with Sakamoto Agency for many years, most recently working alongside their team on The Washboard Union, Aaron Goodvin and The Abrams. We are thrilled to officially welcome Sakamoto Music into the family and support them in the development of Canadian talent.”

 

Sakamoto Music represents the latest expansion of several over the last two years. After spending much of 2020 giving back to the community through providing over 300 free streamed concerts to care homes across Canada, Sakamoto Agency partnered with GrassRoots Promotion in Nashville in 2021, launching radio promotions company GPS Promotion. GPS has seen great success in its first year, including the top-charting independent CanCon single of 2021 with Hailey Benedict’s “Wanted You To”, which spent 8 weeks in the Top 30. GPS Promotion also pushed newcomer Raquel Cole into the Top 50, and worked singles for Doc Walker, Bobby Wills, The Prairie States, and many more.

With the signing of Chris Buck and the launch of the label, Sakamoto Music hopes to provide a home to artists that will help grow their careers, using a wholistic approach to match artists needs, and offering GPS Promotion for radio promotions and Sakamoto Agency for live bookings.

 

MORE ABOUT CHRIS BUCK:
Even from a young age, Chris Buck knew he was destined to make waves in the music biz. Five years since breaking onto the scene with his self-titled, debut album, the singer/songwriter has continued to make a name for himself on the Canadian country stage, and beyond. One of the fastest rising Canadian country acts since the release of the Billboard Top 20 hit That’s When You Know featuring Kira Isabella, Chris saw the track hit hard with over 7 million streams, earning him a gold record and a CCMA Award nomination for Video of the Year. Buck went on to release ALL IN in 2019, his second album, adding to his total five Top 40 singles and over 13 million streams. Now, with brand-new music on its way, Chris says he’s ready for fans to really experience the kind of artist he’s always wanted to be — one that works hard and lays it all on the line.

In addition to penning and recording some of the strongest material of his career, Chris recently signed with Anthem Music Publishing, as well as new record label Sakamoto Music — a branch of Warner Music Canada.

MORE ABOUT SAKAMOTO MUSIC
Sakamoto Music, a division of Sakamoto Agency, is a Canadian record label launched in 2022, and distributed by Warner Music Canada. Paul Biro is CEO of Sakamoto Music, and Joelle May is Director of Promotions & Artist Services, operating the day to day. The first signing to the label is Chris Buck Band, who will release a full length album on the label in 2022.

MORE ABOUT SAKAMOTO AGENCY
Sakamoto Agency is an award-winning booking, talent buying, and event programming agency in Canada. With over 100 years of combined music industry experience among staff including booking, talent buying, management, publicity & marketing, and project management, Sakamoto Agency is an industry leader, named CCMA Booking Agency of the Year in 2020 and 2021. Along with 20+ years of various nominations, VP and Operating Partner Paul Biro has also won CCMA’s Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year three times, from 2019 to 2021.