Nettwerk America
This was the Nettwerk Music Group's website.
The content below is from the site's archived pages from 2002-2005.
The current site for Nettwerk is found at: http://www.nettwerk.com/
Nettwerk Music Group was the umbrella company for Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk Management, and Nettwerk One Publishing
American division of Canada's Nettwerk label registered in the USA by Nettwerk America LLC.
According to Wikipedia the Nettwerk Music Group was established in 1984, the Vancouver-based company was originally created by Nettwerk principals Terry McBride, Mark Jowett, Ric Arboit and Dan Fraser,as a record label to distribute recordings by the band Moev, but the label quickly expanded in Canada and internationally, ultimately becoming one of the largest and most influential independent record labels in the world. Initially specializing in electronic music genres such as alternative dance and industrial, the label also became a powerful player in pop and rock in the late 1980s and 1990s, with label and management clients including Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Dido and Barenaked Ladies.
Today, Nettwerk continues to achieve critical and commercial success with label, management and publishing rosters.
This international company has been in the news often for reasons related to the record industry. Artists tend to attract press attention with their antics on and off stage. But there was one story told not in the press so much as in Google's search results. The search results for the band named Barenaked Ladies at one time contained links to an article claiming that the band members were Satanists and pedophiles. The label freaked out. The band members actually didn't care. But management won out and the lawyers were sicced. Google ignored the lawyers, and the search result remained. The lawyers then went after the publisher, who was based in Costa Rica and he ignored them. Management then found this NYC based seo - Bob Sakayama - who worked to lower the offending search results in Google by using search engine optimization to advance other sites in that search. Management was concerned that Google would not like their search results being tampered with, but in the long run gave into their desire to not be offensive. It took over 3 months for the removal effort to work, and right about that time management gave up on the spend. This is what hit the news - "Blasted by Google: label & management fail to support one of their premiere bands." This drove sales like nothing else, even though the problem search result was still there. Barenaked Ladies are made of Teflon.
Circa 2005
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Foghorn Stringband
2003
- Gob to perform on Mike Bullard Show December 17th!
Gob will dro by the Global studios of Mike Bullard's new talk show home...
- Sarah McLachlan and the Friends of Clayoquot Sound...
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
- Sarah Live@LAUNCH!
Sarah's recent performance on Live@LAUNCH is viewable to subscribers...
LAUNCH
- Sarah to perform at Jingle Jam 2003!
Sarah to perform acoustic set at Jingle Jam in Duluth...
- Tiesto voted World's #1 DJ second year running!
DJ Mag votes prove Tiesto a winner once again...
- Did you win with MusicStakes?
2002
NEIL FINN
The new album from NEIL FINN, One All is in stores now! Features the single, "Driving Me Mad." Go to the Tour section for information on Neil's summer tour dates.
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2002c ALBUMS COMING SOON:
May 7:
Various - Chillout V.2
Soundtrack - Felicity
May 21:
Neil Finn - One All
May 28:
The Scumfrog vs. David Bowie - Loving The Alien (vinyl single)
June 4:
Luce - Luce
June 18:
Margaret Cho - Notorious C.H.O. Live At Carnegie Hall
The Brothers Creegan - Sleepyhead
July 2:
The Scumfrog Vs David Bowie - Loving The Alien (CD single)
Lunik - Ahead
July 16:
Alex Lloyd - Watching Angels Mend
Beam Vs. Cyrus - Lifestyle (single)
July 23:
Various - Plastic 6
August 13:
Martina Sorbara - The Cure For Bad Deeds
August 27:
Conjure One - Conjure One
Coralie Clement -Salle Des Pas Perdue
Maren Ord - Waiting
DJ Tiesto on Moby Area 2 tour this summer!
Check out DJ Tiesto this summer on the Area 2 tour. Tiesto will be co-headlining the dance tent with John Digweed and Carl Cox.
NEIL FINN & DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Neil Finn and the guest artists featured on Neil's forthcoming live album, 7 Worlds Collide, (in-stores February 26, 2002) will be donating all royalties from the sale of the CD & DVD to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) to aid with their work in Afghanistan.
Since 1971, some 15,000 Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) volunteers have provided medical relief to the victims of natural disaster and war in over 80 countries. In many remote and volatile places, MSF is the only international presence. Teams travel by boat, car, plane, pack horse, and on foot to bring relief wherever it is needed.
When medical relief is not enough to save lives, volunteers speak out and advocate on "forgotten" and "hot news" issues alike. The New York and Los Angeles offices are in regular contact with American and other volunteers in the field and can help cover dangerous and remote areas of the globe.
Integral the efforts to publicize the good works of DWB/MSF is the use of websites and social media to not only promote awareness but also to raise much needed funds for their good works. The Vision Project is a great example of an NGO using modern tools to deliver eye exams, cataract surgery, glasses and vision education to 3rd world environments. Volunteer eye surgeons can bring individuals back from near blindness to clear vision. Following up with simple and inexpensive eyewear can change a person's life. By teaching the value of eyecare and and providing information about glasses, they bring important knowledge to these communities in need in a way that can be further shared among its members long after the team leaves. Managing the multitude of individual donors, fund raisers, and groups seeking help falls on automated systems known as help desks, which can simplify the tasks by managing what is known as helpdesk workflow. This kind of customized software permits the organization to follow up on each request, provide substantial information where needed, and prioritize the most urgent responses using the minimum number of employees, keeping costs and human efforts focused on helping the most needy of help.
DJ MAGAZINE POLL RESULTS IN!
Every year DJ Mag publishes its highly respected Top 100 DJs poll. Congratulations to Nettwerk recording artists DJ Tiesto (#6), Nick Warren (Way Out West) (#28) and BT (#76).
More Background On NettwerkAmerica.com
In the early 2000s, NettwerkAmerica.com served as the United States portal for one of the most influential independent record labels in the world — Nettwerk Music Group. The site showcased the company’s roster of artists, news, tour schedules, and releases during a pivotal era when the music industry was transitioning from traditional promotion to the digital age. Though now defunct, the archived site reflects a critical moment in music history — when labels began realizing that online presence was as important as radio play, print ads, or MTV rotation.
NettwerkAmerica.com was more than a simple label website. It symbolized the global ambitions of a Vancouver-based enterprise that had, since the 1980s, redefined how independent music could thrive outside the confines of major record companies. With a bold, artist-first approach and a willingness to embrace both pop and experimental genres, Nettwerk Music Group — through Nettwerk America — built bridges between Canada, the U.S., and Europe during the height of the CD era and the dawn of online music distribution.
Origins of Nettwerk Music Group
The Nettwerk Music Group was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1984 by four visionaries: Terry McBride, Mark Jowett, Ric Arboit, and Dan Fraser. The company began as a vehicle to distribute albums for a local electronic group, Moev, but quickly evolved into an expansive record label, management agency, and publishing company.
At a time when Canada’s music industry was largely dominated by major labels, Nettwerk emerged as a home for independent artists seeking creative freedom. The label became known for its strong artistic identity, progressive marketing, and unconventional roster. Over the next two decades, it would develop into one of the most successful and respected independent labels in the world.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nettwerk’s operations had become truly international. The company managed or released albums for household names including Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Coldplay, Barenaked Ladies, BT, Avril Lavigne, and DJ Tiësto — artists who achieved enormous global success. The need to serve and promote these artists in the American market led to the establishment of Nettwerk America LLC, which operated its own label site, NettwerkAmerica.com, registered and based in the United States.
The Role of NettwerkAmerica.com
Between 2002 and 2005, NettwerkAmerica.com functioned as the public-facing U.S. website for the Nettwerk Music Group. It combined artist news, album releases, tour schedules, and multimedia content. The site’s design and structure reflected the early 2000s aesthetic of independent label web presences — a blend of digital experimentation and fan-centered engagement.
NettwerkAmerica.com featured pages dedicated to touring artists like Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne, Old Crow Medicine Show, BT, Skinny Puppy, and Delerium, among others. Visitors could browse through tour calendars, explore new releases, and find links to local ticket vendors. The site listed venues and tour stops worldwide, from Jakarta and Johannesburg to New York and London, signaling the international reach of the Nettwerk brand.
It also served as a digital catalog for the label’s eclectic releases — from the ethereal electronica of Delerium to the high-energy trance of DJ Tiësto and the folk stylings of Clumsy Lovers and Po’ Girl. Compilation albums like Chillout 2002 – The Ultimate Collection and R&R: Rare and Remixed embodied the label’s ability to balance mainstream accessibility with underground credibility.
A Label Built on Artistic Diversity
Nettwerk America inherited its parent company’s passion for artistic variety. Unlike most labels that specialized in a single genre, Nettwerk operated more like an ecosystem — spanning pop, rock, electronic, folk, and world music.
This diversity was evident in the artists it represented:
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Sarah McLachlan, whose landmark albums Surfacing and Afterglow became multi-platinum successes, solidified Nettwerk’s reputation as a powerhouse in adult contemporary and pop.
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Barenaked Ladies, whose humorous yet musically sophisticated style brought alternative pop into the mainstream.
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BT and DJ Tiësto, who pushed electronic dance music into new global markets, years before EDM became a cultural phenomenon.
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Dido, an emblem of late-90s British pop whose international breakthrough further strengthened Nettwerk’s transatlantic presence.
These names were not just acts under contract — they were ambassadors of Nettwerk’s global identity. The company’s approach combined traditional artist management with early digital innovation, leveraging online distribution, multimedia promotion, and fan communities long before social media became integral to music marketing.
Cultural and Industry Impact
Nettwerk’s influence extended well beyond its roster. The label was a cultural pioneer in multiple ways:
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Digital Distribution and Internet Strategy
Nettwerk embraced online marketing earlier than most independent labels. NettwerkAmerica.com exemplified this forward-thinking approach by offering up-to-date tour information, interactive features, and cross-links to ticket vendors and artist microsites. The site bridged fans directly to artists — a radical shift at a time when most labels still relied heavily on print magazines and television. -
Advocacy for Artist Rights and Anti-Suing Stance
Terry McBride and Nettwerk gained attention for taking a stand against the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) during its early-2000s campaign of lawsuits against music fans accused of illegal downloading. Nettwerk publicly supported one family being sued, arguing that litigation was not the solution and that artists should adapt to new digital realities. This stance won Nettwerk widespread respect from both artists and listeners, reinforcing its image as an artist-friendly, ethical label. -
Crossover Success Between Indie and Mainstream
Nettwerk blurred the lines between independent and commercial success. Acts like Sarah McLachlan sold millions of records worldwide, while still retaining the artistic integrity typically associated with indie labels. The company’s ability to nurture talent from coffeehouse circuits to international stardom became a model for independent labels globally. -
Cultural Advocacy and Charity
Nettwerk also participated in humanitarian initiatives. One example highlighted in early 2000s press coverage was Neil Finn’s “7 Worlds Collide” project, which donated all royalties to Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières). This philanthropic element reflected Nettwerk’s broader ethos — music as a force for good, not just profit.
Press and Media Coverage
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Nettwerk Music Group received frequent coverage in major music and business publications. Outlets such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Globe and Mail praised the label’s dual achievements: commercial viability and artistic independence.
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Rolling Stone lauded Nettwerk’s signing of acts like Kinky, describing their debut as “space music for the Spanglish age” and giving it 3½ stars for blending hip-hop, club, and Latin influences.
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DJ Mag routinely listed Nettwerk artists like Tiesto, Nick Warren (Way Out West), and BT in its annual Top 100 DJs poll, underscoring the label’s strong footing in the electronic scene.
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Billboard noted the company’s innovative management style and its success in merging pop crossover appeal with integrity-driven branding.
Even outside music journalism, Nettwerk’s involvement in high-profile moments — such as managing Avril Lavigne’s world tours or producing the genre-defining Chillout compilations — made it a cultural reference point for early-2000s music business evolution.
NettwerkAmerica.com and the Barenaked Ladies Incident
One of the more curious stories associated with Nettwerk America involved a search engine controversy surrounding the band Barenaked Ladies. According to industry anecdotes, search results at one point falsely linked the band to defamatory content. While the artists reportedly laughed it off, the label and management took it seriously, enlisting help from digital reputation specialists to mitigate the issue.
This episode reflected the growing pains of the early internet era, when record labels were just beginning to understand the implications of online search visibility and digital public relations. It also hinted at Nettwerk’s willingness to confront technological challenges head-on — even if those challenges fell outside traditional music management.
Touring and Global Reach
The touring section of NettwerkAmerica.com read like a world map of modern music. Major acts on the label were performing across continents:
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Avril Lavigne’s 2005 world tour, with stops from Jakarta to Cape Town to Dublin, underscored Nettwerk’s logistical prowess and international artist network.
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Sarah McLachlan’s extensive North American and Canadian tour dates demonstrated the label’s commitment to supporting long-term careers rather than one-album sensations.
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Folk and roots acts such as Old Crow Medicine Show, Nathan, and Foghorn Stringband toured through regional circuits and folk festivals across the U.S. and Canada, supported by Nettwerk’s grassroots marketing.
The label’s American site often listed ticket links through early e-commerce partners such as Ticketmaster and Eventim, showing its integration with online sales long before it became standard practice.
Awards and Recognition
Over its decades of operation, Nettwerk Music Group has accumulated numerous industry honors and accolades. These include:
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Multiple Juno Awards in Canada for artists under its management, notably Sarah McLachlan and Barenaked Ladies.
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Grammy nominations and wins for several releases distributed through Nettwerk.
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Recognition from the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards for its contribution to the nation’s cultural export and global music presence.
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Consistent rankings in industry polls recognizing Nettwerk’s leadership in independent label management and its forward-thinking embrace of new technologies.
The Transition to Nettwerk.com and Continued Success
By the mid-2000s, Nettwerk began consolidating its online operations under its primary domain, Nettwerk.com. The shift reflected broader trends toward unified branding and global digital distribution. As the music business increasingly moved toward streaming and online engagement, maintaining separate national sites became less practical.
However, the influence of NettwerkAmerica.com lived on. Many of its artists transitioned seamlessly into the digital streaming era, and the company’s American presence continued to grow. Nettwerk has since expanded its publishing and management divisions, with offices in Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Hamburg.
Today, Nettwerk continues to nurture both emerging and established acts, maintaining its founding values of independence, innovation, and integrity.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
The story of NettwerkAmerica.com is not merely about one website — it’s about a turning point in modern music history. The site’s existence marked the convergence of independent artistry and digital globalization. It gave U.S. audiences a direct line to Canadian and international talent and symbolized the label’s belief that creativity should transcend borders and corporate hierarchies.
Nettwerk’s model has since inspired countless independent labels to balance artistic freedom with professional management and digital literacy. It proved that success in the music industry didn’t have to come from major-label contracts or formulaic marketing. Instead, it could stem from authenticity, innovation, and the courage to evolve with technology.
NettwerkAmerica.com represents a fascinating chapter in the evolution of the global music industry. As the American arm of a visionary Canadian label, it bridged two worlds: the analog tradition of live touring and physical releases, and the digital future of online engagement and global reach.
Through artists like Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Dido, BT, and Tiësto, Nettwerk proved that independent labels could achieve mainstream success without sacrificing their identity. Its American site played a vital role in that story, offering fans and artists alike a platform that celebrated creativity, diversity, and the spirit of independence.
Though the website itself is now archived, the legacy of Nettwerk America endures — in the music that continues to resonate, and in the lasting example it set for how the internet could amplify artistry, not dilute it.
