Westwood Recordings signs a joint venture with Monstercat, adding capital and a new publishing arm
Westwood Recordings, the independent electronic label from Vancouver, has entered a joint venture with Monstercat. Westwood stays in Vancouver under founder Nick Middleton, while Monstercat brings capital, global infrastructure and staff to help it sign more artists, grow its release schedule, acquire catalogue and launch a publishing arm. Monstercat is owned by Create Music Group.
Two of Canada's best known independent electronic labels are joining forces. Westwood Recordings, founded and still run by Nick Middleton in Vancouver, has entered a joint venture with Monstercat, according to reports this week in Billboard and Music Ally.
Under the deal, Westwood keeps its identity, base and leadership, while Monstercat supplies capital, global infrastructure and a larger team. Billboard reports that the support covers signing new artists and recordings, expanding the release schedule, moving into new genres and pursuing catalogue acquisitions. The partnership will also back the launch of a Westwood publishing arm, building on the label's history in sync licensing.
The money behind it comes from further up the chain. Monstercat was acquired by Create Music Group in 2025, and Billboard says the Westwood venture is being driven by a $50 million investment from Create into Monstercat. It is one of several Create moves reported this week: the company also confirmed a minority stake in distributor DistroKid, alongside majority owner CVC Capital Partners.
The two labels already know each other. Westwood and Monstercat worked together on the Compound 2021 compilation, which featured Vancouver acts including The Funk Hunters, the duo in which Middleton is one half, and So Sus.
For producers, the interesting part is publishing. Many independent electronic labels sign masters only, leaving artists to sort out their own publishing administration or leave sync and performance income uncollected. A label publishing arm with sync experience can be a real asset, but it also means more rights sitting with one company. If a label with a new publishing division offers you a deal, read the publishing terms separately from the record deal, check the term and territory, and ask how sync opportunities are pitched and split.
For managers, this is another sign of where independent dance music is heading. Mid-size labels with strong brands are being backed by well funded groups that can add distribution, data and catalogue money. That can mean bigger marketing budgets and more reach for signed artists, but it is worth asking who makes the final decisions on releases and contracts once a venture like this is in place.