Pheromone Recordings

Pheromone Recordings is a Canadian boutique record label established in 2008 through a partnership between former MapleMusic Recordings general manager Kim Cooke and MapleCore, the Toronto music company that was later renamed Cadence Music Group. The label was created as an additional imprint within MapleCore's growing music business, which also included MapleMusic Recordings, Open Road Recordings, distribution operations, artist commerce, ticketing, and licensing activities. The label's stated role within that structure was to provide a home for independent Canadian artists while giving them access to the infrastructure of a larger music company. Rather than operating as a narrowly genre-defined imprint, Pheromone developed an eclectic roster. Artists associated with the label included Elisapie Isaac, The Dears, The New Odds, Beast, and other Canadian acts. The New Odds were identified as the imprint's first signed act. The roster reflected the label's emphasis on artist-led and alternative Canadian music rather than a single commercial format. Pheromone's operating model combined boutique A&R and artist development with the marketing, publicity, promotion, licensing, and distribution capabilities available through MapleCore and its affiliated companies. This arrangement allowed the label to retain an independent identity while using group-level resources to release and promote records in the Canadian market. Distribution for MapleCore's labels was handled through the company's distribution operations, later known as Fontana North, which was developed through a relationship with Universal Music Group's Fontana organization. One of the label's notable commercial achievements was Beast's self-titled album, which became Pheromone's first release by a new act to receive Gold certification. The label also issued projects with a broader cultural and archival dimension. A prominent example was Jason Schneider's Have Not Been the Same compilation, released in connection with the 2011 updated edition of the Canadian rock-history book Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995. Proceeds from the compilation, together with proceeds from an auction of Bob Wiseman's hand-painted Ace Tone Top 5 keyboard organ, supported Kids Help Phone. Pheromone Recordings is best understood as an imprint within a Canadian independent music company rather than as a separately listed corporation. Public reference material documents its founding, roster, operating relationship with MapleCore, and selected releases, but does not establish a complete current roster, a definitive closure date, or a separately reported financial position. The label's present operating status therefore remains uncertain.

Pheromone Recordings was founded in 2008 as a partnership between Kim Cooke, a former general manager of MapleMusic Recordings, and MapleCore, a Toronto-based Canadian music company. Its creation expanded MapleCore's label portfolio beyond its existing general-interest and country operations. The new imprint was designed as a boutique home for Canadian artists whose work did not necessarily fit a single mainstream genre or conventional label category. The label operated within MapleCore's broader infrastructure. MapleCore supplied access to marketing, promotion, publicity, A&R, licensing, and distribution functions, allowing Pheromone to combine a smaller, artist-focused identity with the resources of a larger music-services group. This was consistent with MapleCore's general business model, which connected independent and established artists to e-commerce, label services, distribution, and promotional support. MapleCore's distribution arm, initially established as MapleNationwide and later renamed Fontana North, provided an important route to national distribution and industry support for the company's labels. Pheromone's roster was described as consisting entirely of Canadian artists and was notably eclectic. The New Odds were the first act signed to the label. Other artists associated with the imprint included Elisapie Isaac and The Dears. Beast became one of its most visible early successes: the band's self-titled album was identified as the first release by a new Pheromone act to earn Gold certification. The label also participated in projects that connected recorded music with Canadian cultural history and charitable activity. Jason Schneider's Have Not Been the Same compilation accompanied the 2011 updated edition of the book Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995, a history of Canadian rock music. Revenue from the compilation and from an auction of a hand-painted Ace Tone Top 5 keyboard organ associated with Bob Wiseman was directed to Kids Help Phone. In March 2016, MapleCore changed its corporate name to Cadence Music Group. Pheromone was listed among the group's labels alongside Cadence Recordings, Open Road Recordings, Physical Presents, and Known Accomplice. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of Pheromone's subsequent releases, management, ownership, or current activity. It also does not document a formal shutdown. The imprint's historical relationship with Cadence Music Group is therefore clear, while its present status is not fully established.

• 2016

  MapleCore becomes Cadence Music Group

  [1]MapleCore Ltd.en.wikipedia.org

  The parent music company changes its name from MapleCore to Cadence Music Group, retaining Pheromone among its label imprints.

• 2011

  Have Not Been the Same compilation is released

  [1]MapleCore Ltd.en.wikipedia.org

  Pheromone issues Jason Schneider's companion compilation for the updated Canadian rock-history book Have Not Been the Same.

• 2008

  Pheromone Recordings is founded

  [1]MapleCore Ltd.en.wikipedia.org

  Kim Cooke and MapleCore establish Pheromone Recordings as a boutique imprint for eclectic Canadian artists.

• 2008

  The New Odds become the first signed act

  [1]MapleCore Ltd.en.wikipedia.org

  The New Odds are identified as the first act signed to the newly established label.

An independent-minded Canadian boutique imprint offering eclectic local artists access to professional label infrastructure, marketing, publicity, licensing, and distribution.

• Album

  Beast

  The self-titled album by Beast was one of Pheromone Recordings' notable early releases. It is specifically recognized in reference material as the first release by a new act on the label to receive Gold certification, making it an important commercial milestone for the imprint.

• Compilation album · 2011

  Have Not Been the Same

  A Jason Schneider compilation connected with the 2011 updated edition of Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995. The project extended the label's activities into Canadian music-history documentation and generated proceeds for Kids Help Phone.

• 2011Have Not Been the Same charitable release and organ auction

  Canada

  Pheromone connected Jason Schneider's Canadian rock compilation with a charitable fundraising effort. Proceeds from the release and from an auction of Bob Wiseman's hand-painted Ace Tone Top 5 keyboard organ were directed to Kids Help Phone.

  Outcome. The activity provided financial support to Kids Help Phone; the available source does not state the amount raised.

  Source

• 2016

  Parent company rebrandingStrategy

  Background

  MapleCore reorganized its corporate identity as its music, distribution, ticketing, and licensing activities expanded.

  Action taken

  MapleCore changed its name to Cadence Music Group, with Pheromone continuing to be identified among the group's labels.

  Aftermath

  The rebranding placed Pheromone within the Cadence Music Group label portfolio, although detailed subsequent label activity is not documented in the available material.

  Source

• 2008

  Launch of a dedicated boutique Canadian imprintStrategy

  Background

  MapleCore already operated music labels and related artist-services businesses but sought an imprint for a more eclectic group of Canadian artists.

  Action taken

  Kim Cooke partnered with MapleCore to create Pheromone Recordings, combining boutique label curation with access to the parent company's marketing, publicity, licensing, and distribution infrastructure.

  Aftermath

  The imprint developed a Canadian roster that included The New Odds, Elisapie Isaac, The Dears, and Beast, with Beast achieving Gold certification for its self-titled album.

  Source

1. 1MapleCore Ltd.en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Pheromone Recordings official websitepheromonerecordings.com