Musketeer Records, an independent music company based in Johannesburg, South Africa, was formed in August 2000 by Brian O'Shea and Peter Lacey. Currently Musketeer has representation and offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and London. In addition to this Musketeer has marketing and legal representation in New York.
The philosophy of the company is quite simple: to identify the best local South African artists and music, sign and develop it to the best international standard and to sell its music around the world. In short, to create the best possible boutique record and production company in South Africa. Our Vision statement includes exactly that:
".......to identify, develop, market and sell South African intellectual property to a worldwide market"
Musketeer gained almost immediate success by signing, producing and releasing the debut album by Seether (nee Saron Gas) into the South African market in June 2001. Seether were subsequently subject to a bidding war in the US and were eventually signed by Wind Up Entertainment, in October 2001, for launch into the U.S. market.
Seether's debut album, Disclaimer, sold in excess of 500,000 units and spent 6 months on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. Disclaimer was released worldwide in January 2003. Disclaimer II, a re-issue adding 8 tracks to the debut album, including the track Broken, and 4 videos was released worldwide in June 2004, achieving gold status in the Unites States, Canada, Germany and Australia. Karma and Effect (gold) and One Cold Night releases followed in 2005 and 2006, netting the band in excess of 2,000,000 units sold worldwide.
Candice has been in the Musketeer stable for over five years and has involved songwriters in USA, Australia and South Africa, with Candice herself co-writing 5 tracks on her debut album. The album, Chasing Your Tomorrows, was released to local critical acclaim in January 2003, with the first single, Hello, going top 10 in SA in November 2002.
The album was produced by in Australia by Clive Young at Urban Rhythm Factory and mixed by Paul Gomersall, also in Australia. Brian O Shea was executive producer on this project. Musketeer have subsequently signed Candice to a production deal with Sony UK . Candice is now resident in Los Angeles and has become a sought after songwriter in her own right. 2004 and 2005 saw the company increase it's roster to include acts, Fevertree, Fahrenheit, State Far Better and Soul Proxy.
Fevertree are currently recording their follow up album to the SAMA nominated debut Quest for a Cure, scheduled for release in September 2006. Fahrenheit are currently running high with their Volvo TV campaign and the company is looking to release their follow up album in April 2007. All in all these four acts have delivered 20 South African top 10 songs.
Our current distribution strategy for intellectual property is reflective of a two way transfer. Musketeer Records has recently started importing and licensing foreign music in South Africa. We have a relationship with Full Time Hobby, Eat Sleep Records and Tympanic Records to make a number of their artists available in South Africa.
www.musketeer.co.za
* Adding us as to your friends list wont get your band a record deal
* Posting a comment on our page wont get your band a record deal
* Sending us a private message wont get your band a record deal
* Posting numerous bulletins wont get your band a record deal
* Asking us to subscribe to your blog wont get your band a record deal
All of the above are commendable efforts but will only create the possibility that someone might listen to a song or two on his/her lunch break. We'll happily chat and keep in contact but we're not giving out record deals on myspace.
If you are looking for a record deal you should do the following:
Post us a quality package including a few songs, a biography and all contact details.
"Please love me Musketeer A&R Department!"
PO Box 70498
Bryanston
2021
Johannesburg
South Africa
We will only listen to about 3 songs so make sure you tell us which three songs best encapsulate what you do.