Nelly Furtado has created an independent record label, and has signed Fritz Helder & the Phantoms as the first band she is determined to help.
- Mar 17, 2009
AceShowbiz - Nelly Furtado has launched her own independent record label, Nelstar Music, and has signed Toronto-based electro-dance group Fritz Helder & the Phantoms as her first act. "I think that it's best to start off an indie. When you are a new band and you sign to a major, you get thrown to the fire," the pop singer says in a press release.
"I always secretly wanted to be an indie artist. When I was a teenager, I loved Ani DiFranco and hoped I could do something like that," Nelly continues. "A major turned out to be my destiny, but I'm enjoying reconnecting with the indie world."
Nelly launches Nelstar Music in co-operation with Canadian independent recording company Last Gang Labels. She forms the label because she wants to help aspiring singers and bands exploring their creativity. As for now, Nelly has "been thinking about a way to help Fritz Helder for a while." She explains, "This venture grew out of my love for the band, their art and their work ethic. I am as committed as they are to bringing their creativity to the world."
Fritz Helder & the Phantoms, whose two members are Nelly Furtado's backing dancers, will release their debut studio album in U.S. on July 7 and Nelly will be serving as their mentor. "Nelly's not on the album in a meaningful way. She's in one of the videos, but that's really it. She's not like Puff Daddy [P. Diddy] in that respect," Chris Taylor, president of Last Gang and Nelly's longtime attorney says.
