Critically acclaimed Montreal indie poppers, The Dears [Official Site, Myspace] have signed on with Dangerbird Records [link] (yes! yesyesyes!) adding themselves to the already padded roster that includes such acts as Darker My Love [link], Eulogies [link], Dappled Cities [link], Silversun Pickups [link] and Sea Wolf [link]. Their new album, Missiles, will be released worldwide, starting October 21 in the U.S. and October 20 in the U.K. and Australia. Maple Records will release the album in Canada simultaneously with the U.S.

All of this is great news; we get a great new album from a band that has worked a long, hard time to distinguish themselves from the rest of the Canadian indie scene. In the process, they’ve created a solid body of work and a wicked reputation as killer touring band, so while we stew over what the business decision of signing with a management company affiliated with the label you’re on means for the act, let’s just praise them all for making a sweet business decision.

Check out some music “after the jump”

“Lost in the Plot” [mp3]

“Warm and Sunny Days” [mp3]

LOS ANGELES, August 5, 2008 - Continuing to add to their ever-increasing musical family, Dangerbird Records and Dangerbird Management have just signed critically acclaimed, Montreal band The Dears to their label and management roster. Missiles, the fourth LP from the orchestral-pop outfit, will be released via Dangerbird Records worldwide, starting October 21 in the U.S. and October 20 in the U.K. and Australia. Maple Records will release the album in Canada simultaneously with the U.S., with additional international territory releases to follow.

Adding a veteran act to their burgeoning roster is a first for the Dangerbird collective. “The Dears make my heart stop. Murray Lightburn says things I wish I knew how to say. That’s the kind of stuff that gets me up in the morning as a music fan and an entrepreneur,” explains Jeff Castelaz who, with partner Peter Walker, co-founded Dangerbird. He adds: “Peter and I had to have the Dears on Dangerbird. The Dears have something to prove and Dangerbird has something to prove. We’re both in mid-swing. This is how and when we want to sign an artist in the middle of their artistic arc. It plays to our strengths.”

Dangerbird has uniquely mastered the ongoing unpredictable winds of change in the music industry. “In 2004, we were a management company that started a label,” clarifies Castelaz, adding, “In 2008, we have to remind people of that because the label has become bigger than the management company.” He admits to having started the record company as a way to “ultimately solve many of the problems managers have instigating labels.”

Under their management umbrella they oversee the careers of fellow Dangerbird acts Eulogies, Darker My Love and now the elder statesmen of the Canadian indie rock renaissance, The Dears. In addition, they manage a stable of producers including Justin Meldal-Johnsen (who recently joined Nine Inch Nails on bass), Dave Cooley (Silversun Pickups, J Dilla, Mickey Avalon) and Tony Hoffer, the man behind multi-platinum acts The Kooks, Goldfrapp, The Fratellis, Air and others.

The company’s effective strategies and dedication continues to propel them to the forefront of the ever-changing music business landscape.

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