Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Born out of a passion for punk, hardcore, and metal, Ferret Music, a significant independent label that helped shape the metalcore scene in the 2000s, has officially returned, as per Blabbermouth. This is one of the most eagerly awaited comebacks in the heavy music industry. At its height, the label was known for having an ear for musicians who were ahead of their time and for providing a platform for some of the most important bands in the genre. With a renewed emphasis on finding and nurturing artists that push boundaries, the rebirth ushers in a new era for the legendary imprint. Ferret Music has revealed its first two signings, Bore and Wounded Touch, in keeping with that goal.
I started Ferret as a way to be more a part of hardcore. My friends all had talent and were in a band (Endeavor, Ferret 01) and I wanted to do more than carry things to contribute to what they were doing. It was a passion that turned into a life and into a career. For the vast majority of its initial existence I worked with my friends, worked with bands we loved listening to and it was just honestly an adventure. We grew and eventually saw behind the curtain and ventured beyond it. Things changed. My friends didn’t, and we still love listening… So here we are. – Carl Severson, founder
Ferret was a label we always looked up to. From ‘Cult Classic’ to ‘Hot Damn!’ to ‘A Great Artist’ to ‘Versions’ and so on, the music that Carl, Rick and everyone else curated over the years became intertwined with our musical DNA. So to get to be a part of the Ferret family, let alone to get to be here for the revival is nothing short of the honor of a lifetime. Looking forward to this next chapter of our band and to get to do it Ferret style. – Danny Kopij (Bore)
Any time someone has asked us ‘who would your ideal label be to sign to,’ we always would include Ferret to not only be smartasses, but out of legitimate sincerity as they were always the holy grail label of our youth. Most of our childhoods were shaped by the Ferret catalogue, so we’d have been championing this return out of sheer excitement regardless. But to instead get to be directly involved as boots on the ground for the return of Ferret and count ourselves among the pantheon of genre defining records released under that name is a validation that can’t be bought, traded or diminished. We’ll do everything in our power to earn the privilege of being asked to be a part of it and to be at the forefront of this return. – Nick Holland (Wounded Touch)
Ferret Music, founded by Nora singer Carl Severson, became a major force in the underground metal and hardcore scenes by signing and releasing records by Converge, Disembodied, Killswitch Engage, Zao, and Every Time I Die. Poison The Well, In Flames, The Devil Wears Prada, and other artists followed. The label, which was founded inside the do-it-yourself community, gained credibility by taking a hands-on, artist-first strategy that put long-term growth ahead of immediate success. When heavy music is once again flourishing at a grassroots level, fuelled by community, exploration, and a rekindled desire for authenticity, Ferret Music makes a comeback. The label’s goal is to develop a new generation of musicians who push boundaries while adhering to the values that characterised Ferret Music’s early years.
