EA teams up for music label

Game publisher joins hands with Nettwerk One Music to start "full-service music company" Artwerk; Junkie XL signs on as first artist.

Game developers aren't the only ones who have taken notice of Electronic Arts' expansive global reach. The game publisher has announced that it is further exploring the music business through a joint venture with Nettwerk One Music to start up the Artwerk music label. The deal expands EA's partnership with the Canadian label, which includes the 2005 launch of EA Recordings.

EA describes Los Angeles-based Artwerk as a "full-service music company" that will help signed artists publish and distribute their work globally (both in retail and digitally).

The first artist allied with Artwerk is electronic musician Junkie XL, who has appeared on several soundtracks to EA games such as Madden NFL 07 and Need for Speed Carbon. Artwerk is now accepting submissions through EA's Web site.

55 Comments

  • pearlpunx85

    Posted Mar 27, 2007 11:08 am PT

    Junkie XL is whack........................

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted Mar 27, 2007 9:48 am PT

    let's see where this goes

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Mar 27, 2007 4:31 am PT

    Games, music... what's next?

  • zsc4

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 11:50 pm PT

    Wow, EA definitely does good music

  • kappareign

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 9:30 pm PT

    "We all know how good EA trax is."

    lmao, that was a joke right? because im laughing. i read the article and i thought 'wow, they put music into video games, now they think they can be a record label. bad idea.'

  • RabidKid

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 9:29 pm PT

    That's random.

  • enoslives7

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 7:29 pm PT

    EA is a bunch of greedy blood-suckers.....they are trying to monopolize sports games. Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!! Boycott EA !!!!!!!!!

  • ThrillhouseLive

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 7:28 pm PT

    We all know how good EA trax is.

  • asmodeus_z

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 5:45 pm PT

    This is a win-win situation. Less well known artists will have their works published to the world and EA will save on all the royalties paid to the record companies.

  • CMakaCreative

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 5:21 pm PT

    Sounds like an opportunity, where do I sign up.

  • theKSMM

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 5:07 pm PT

    I think it would be great to have a lower-profile label that has the distribution channels that EA has. That would allow indie musicians a lower barrier to entry while still giving them a chance to be heard nationwide or even worldwide.

  • GameDestroyer88

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:58 pm PT

    Um, EA really needs to quit while it's ahead. Seriously the Ubisoft takeover didn't fly the last couple of years, so what does EA do? EXPAND. Like I'm really gonna listen to a musician named Junkie XL. Well guys....I smell failure.

  • Somini

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:51 pm PT

    Noooooo!!! EA shouldn't get bigger, they should be smaller. They're a scourge of the video-game industry.

  • JephirDromulus

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:46 pm PT

    I wonder if all the music releases will be as rushed as EA's games are.

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:29 pm PT

    No harm no foul... all the creativity has already been sapped out of that industry by the fiscal interests of even larger corporations.

  • Romanticide

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:17 pm PT

    EA lol

    EA, the music industry is already ruined! Your work is done!

  • Areola54

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:16 pm PT

    Guess RIAA and EA have something in common.

    they both are scum

  • Da_Bee

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    EA will become a tobacco company before you know it. Then it'll sell mac and cheese.

  • oo769er

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:41 pm PT

    Yeah, main stream music is just sad...

  • killerchurro

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:30 pm PT

    well said ghsacidman. I totally agree. Just bought some Hybrid, Fratellis, and Celldweller.

  • ghsacidman

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:28 pm PT

    Bottom line, main stream music sucks... And if your not listening to underground and indie artist... I pitty you. Enjoy Junkie XL and his generic crap. Enjoy Gwen Steffani and her bannanna raps. I'm waiting on the wagons with the Juggalos.

  • GAMECAMILLER Site moderator

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:22 pm PT

    Hmm, I dunno what to say - I don't know exactly if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

  • cgrumler

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:14 pm PT

    Junkie XL is actually just one guy. His latest production album, "Today", came out last year. It has some pretty solid tracks on it....

    http://www.discogs.com/release/692295

  • QualityJeverage

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:10 pm PT

    "wow people , last i heard EA is an business, and i thought they were supposed to make money, so stop all the bashing, if you don't like their games( and i don't most of the time as i don't really play sports videogames, since i can just play sports outside with real people) then don't buy them. But what the 12 year old here need to realize, is that if their daddies were the ones running EA , they would still seek ways to make money. EA is big business and obviously they want their products to reach as many people as possible, they are a mainstream company and because of that they alianate the "harcore gamer", but i'm thinking there's more cash to be had with the mainstream crowd so EA won't change because of your crying, and last i checked gamespot doesn't have the power to trun your childish cries into corporate power so STFU. Too much wining going on about every single bit of info. Shouldn't most of you be learning your abc's instead of playing with yourselves while watching free porn in the computer lab. Sheesh , kids now adays."

    I have no problem with game companies being businesses and seeking money. That's fine, that's what they're SUPPOSED to do. But EA's money-grabbing knows no bounds. It's reached the point where their ads can actually diminish the immersion (Sometimes even the quality) of their games. I alluded to it in my earlier post.

    The post-apocalyptic world of Battlefield 2142 should not be telling me to buy Burger King. A passing billboard in a racing game is just fine. But the King does not belong in a warzone, that's when the immersion dies.

  • mauro311

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:10 pm PT

    yay mediocrity...

  • jdbthexboxgamr

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:08 pm PT

    "Who the Heck is Junkie XL ? and why should I give a cr ap "

    LOL,you must not play that many games huh?,they have been in videogame soundtracks ever since the old test Drive racing games on the PSone.

  • QualityJeverage

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:07 pm PT

    The empire of evil grows. [sarcasm] Can't wait to see ads for the next Album while I'm trying to fight in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. [/sarcasm]

  • evil_tormentor

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:07 pm PT

    OOO Junkie XL. He makes great music, especially in SSX Blur. Way to go Junkie XL.

    Hopefully EA will update its EA Big soundtracks, and get some more music into its games.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:07 pm PT

    Global Domination begins!

  • ogretroll123

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 3:05 pm PT

    What's next? EA movie studios? EA resturants? EA VIDEO GAMES?! Oh... wait...

  • BigDaveyDogz

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:51 pm PT

    this should be interesting....

  • SCARFACELP

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:51 pm PT

    wow people , last i heard EA is an business, and i thought they were supposed to make money, so stop all the bashing, if you don't like their games( and i don't most of the time as i don't really play sports videogames, since i can just play sports outside with real people) then don't buy them. But what the 12 year old here need to realize, is that if their daddies were the ones running EA , they would still seek ways to make money. EA is big business and obviously they want their products to reach as many people as possible, they are a mainstream company and because of that they alianate the "harcore gamer", but i'm thinking there's more cash to be had with the mainstream crowd so EA won't change because of your crying, and last i checked gamespot doesn't have the power to trun your childish cries into corporate power so STFU. Too much wining going on about every single bit of info. Shouldn't most of you be learning your abc's instead of playing with yourselves while watching free porn in the computer lab. Sheesh , kids now adays.

  • titus124

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:49 pm PT

    O....K......

  • StrikerGold

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:32 pm PT

    Next month EA teams up with Martha Stewart, and the Reckoning begins...

  • willripyouanew1

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    Who the Heck is Junkie XL ? and why should I give a cr ap

  • racerx737

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:24 pm PT

    OfficialBed "oh man...next....they are going to start making cars...just wait"

    hahahaha nice

  • SoulKillah

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:21 pm PT

    Wow...a new music label

  • rowletteagle09

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:19 pm PT

    Awesome more crappy songs that no one likes on Madden 08.

  • finalcross

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:18 pm PT

    What can I say, this is really weird

  • apwc

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:17 pm PT

    The EA bashing is getting OLD. They are the biggest publisher for a reason, they have to be doing something right. I think it's cool that they're venturing out, it's a great way to bring games more into the mainstream.

  • biowulf

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:14 pm PT

    I don't think they'll destroy anything.

  • ArkansasBoy91

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:13 pm PT

    they make crappy games, now they are gonna make crappy albums

  • DeeCrutch

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:12 pm PT

    Oh great. This probably means more garbage EA Traxx for us to look forward to....

    ...I'll pass.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:11 pm PT

    This doesn't sound like a great idea.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:11 pm PT

    oh man...next....they are going to start making cars...just wait

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:10 pm PT

    this defines what a cash-in is

  • cgrumler

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:09 pm PT

    Oh wow......

    Nettwork is a HUGE electronic music label.....

    I'm excited!

  • DirkVDV01

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:08 pm PT

    Odd turn of events for EA, they aren't good at producing games, now they will try on music. I think the crippled music industry can take this weak competitor, nevertheless... it's and odd move.
    @ pj-panther: great, what genres can we expect? I've heard enough Industrial and post-funk punk rock to take a bulldozer and drive into some self-called "bands"

  • Lungz5

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 2:01 pm PT

    JXL is good at least

  • pj-panther

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 1:59 pm PT

    Dude, the music industry is already destroyed. I've been working in it for years. Its just going to get worse and worse.

advertisement
Click Here

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!