Toronto, ON – Platinum-selling country group The Washboard Union are entering a dynamic new chapter as they join the roster of celebrated Canadian music label Arts & Crafts. This milestone not only marks an exciting new era for the JUNO and 9x Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Award-winning band, it also represents a significant first for the label — The Washboard Union are the inaugural country act to sign to the new Arts & Crafts Country imprint label.
Known for their infectious songwriting and high-energy live shows filled with anthemic country songs, soaring choruses, and signature three-part harmonies, The Washboard Union are one of the most renowned acts in Canadian country music. With multiple chart-topping singles and over 85 million streams, the band’s music continues to resonate deeply with fans as they enter a new era in partnership with Arts & Crafts, aiming to grow their audience worldwide.
“Arts & Crafts prides itself on a diverse universe of music built on the label’s core pillars of creativity and community. ‘Independent music made with care’ – we have always been driven by inventiveness, without regard for the limits of genre. It is on that note that we are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Washboard Union, marking Arts & Crafts’ foray into country music and first signing to our newly minted A&C Country imprint,” said Kieran Roy, President of Arts & Crafts. “We have long been fans of The Washboard Union, one of Canada’s most beloved and talented bands, who perfectly embody the integrity of their craft through the group’s tireless evolution. We have watched and listened as the boundless reach of country music and culture has grown, and we are excited to share and be a part of what we believe will be Washboard’s most compelling music yet.”
“The Arts & Crafts team are, above all, music fans and innovators,” said Chris “Dunner” Duncombe of The Washboard Union. “From our first conversations, it was clear that they understood who we are as artists. We’ve always believed in making music that’s truly authentic, so to partner with a label that values artistry and creativity is energizing. We’re excited to be the first country act to join the new Arts & Crafts Country label, and the three of us can’t wait for our fans to hear what we’ve got in store in the next chapter of The Washboard Union.”
The Washboard Union have earned nine CCMA Awards, including three consecutive wins for Group of the Year and Roots Album of the Year for Everbound (2020). They also made history as the first country band to receive a JUNO Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year. Over the course of their career, they’ve accumulated over 400,000 radio spins, one Platinum and four Gold-certified singles in Canada, five Top 10 hits, and 35+ award wins to date. The band also performed on the current season of the popular CBS TV drama Tracker, starring Justin Hartley.
The Washboard Union’s latest album WESTERLY is inspired by the wild landscapes of the west and reveals a deeper, more “country side" to the band’s sound. The album features hit singles “I Run on Country” and “Band On Her T-Shirt”, both of which reached the top 15 at radio.
The band is on the road right now playing select festival dates across Canada this summer while also in the studio recording brand new music, with a new single to be released this fall. They recently signed to ABC Music (for Australia and New Zealand), and are headed to Australia in October for their first run of shows including Savannah in The Round, a music festival in Far North Queensland. The forthcoming release will be the first under their new label partnerships with both Arts & Crafts and ABC Music.
For more information on The Washboard Union and to see upcoming tour dates, please visit thewashboardunion.com.
