Radio Starmaker Fund

Have Questions? Contact Us

Radio Starmaker Fund Annual Report

2014 / 2015

Artist Profile: Frazey Ford

Frazey Ford

Nettwerk Records released Frazey Ford’s sophomore solo album Indian Ocean on October 14, 2014 to much critical praise. It was the follow-up to her acclaimed debut solo album Obadiah released in 2010, which came after her work as a founding member of The Be Good Tanyas. The release of Indian Ocean reflected a turning point in Frazey’s career and Starmaker has been a crucial partner in this process by aiding in both the marketing and touring expenses behind the release.

In the past twelve months, Frazey has been able to tour in the UK, Holland, Germany, Belgium, key cities in the US and also undertake key main stage support slots at many of Canada’s most popular folk festivals, including those in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Guelph. Indian Ocean has garnered incredible reviews, making the long list for Canada’s Polaris Prize and was voted #6 of the Top 100 albums of 2014 by the Sunday Times in the UK.

All of Frazey’s tours have combined key marketing opportunities while on the road. The marketing team at Nettwerk found many fans in the media who have fallen in love with Indian Ocean and landed her NPR and CBC radio performances in North America and key national radio and television appearances in Holland, Germany and on the BBC in the UK. All of this activity has led to continued interest from domestic and international promoters in having Frazey perform in their cities.

The biggest increase, not just in sales but also in perception and concert ticket sales for Frazey in mainland Europe, happened in the Netherlands. The strong press that Nettwerk secured for Indian Ocean in the UK led to play listing on 3FM, which is the most important radio station for independent/alternative music in the Netherlands. The album entered the Dutch sales charts at #13 and since then major television and radio outlets have strongly supported the release, leading to huge gains in her concert audience there.

This year has been a gigantic step forward for Frazey Ford and without the support of Radio Starmaker, many of the opportunities that have created the current momentum she is experiencing would simply not have happened.

Ellen Gildersleeve
Product Manager
Nettwerk Records