Old Bear Records has entered a distribution partnership with Syntax Creative, giving the Western New York label additional infrastructure for its growing catalog of unconventional independent music.
Old Bear releases music across instrumental, folk, indie rock, gospel, blues, singer-songwriter and experimental styles. The label operates alongside Old Bear Studios and a vinyl reissue division.
What began as a collective of eclectic bands and solo artists has developed into a label built around music that does not fit easily within commercial formulas.
“As an independent label, we’ve been looking for a distributor that cares about our music as much as we do,” Old Bear Records President Anthony Hoisington said. “Until now, our experience has felt more like we were just throwing our music into a massive machine and getting very little results back in return.”
Hoisington said Syntax Creative offered the reach of a larger distributor while retaining the personal attention Old Bear wanted for its artists and releases.
“They love what we’re doing and the art that we are creating,” he said.
Old Bear issued its first release in 2017. Since then, the company has released more than two dozen albums and vinyl reissues. It also produced a recording docuseries called Harmonized Sounds and hosted a podcast with more than 20 episodes. Two of its albums have appeared on Billboard charts, according to the announcement.
“Old Bear reminds me of our roots with Syntax Records,” Syntax Creative CEO Tim Trudeau said. “They are very unique, very poetic and very conscious. Perhaps these two labels were twins separated at birth and then, for some reason, ended up at extreme opposite ends of the continent, as well as genres.”
Making Room for Music That Doesn’t Fit
The label’s willingness to release difficult-to-categorize music is central to its identity. Hoisington pointed to the broader range of commercially released music during the 1970s as an example of what can happen when record companies take chances.
“Old Bear is willing to take risks with music we believe is great, in spite of what is considered to be popular,” Hoisington said. “Back in the seventies, record companies took more risks on music that was different and, as a result, minimized mainstream formulas.”
He said that willingness to move beyond familiar formulas contributed to greater musical diversity and remains a model for Old Bear’s approach.
“Old Bear is an excellent addition to our roster and really rounds out our offering,” Trudeau said. “It will be our pleasure to share their thoughtful music with our friends at the digital service providers.”
The partnership begins as Old Bear continues releasing new projects. Quiet Bear’s Chroma is available now, while The Royal Halls’ Center of the Frame is scheduled for release July 25.