Off the album "Finding Beauty in Negatives Spaces"

Seether - "Rise Above This"

Musketeer Records, an independent music company based in Johannesburg, South Africa, was formed in August 2000 by Brian O’ Shea and Peter Lacey. 

The philosophy of the company is quite simple: to identify the best local South African artists and music, sign and develop it to the best possible (and international) standard and to sell its music around the world. In short, to create the best possible boutique record and production company in South Africa.

Musketeer gained almost immediate success by signing, producing and releasing the debut album by Seether (nee Saron Gas) into the South African market in October 2000. Seether was subsequently subject to a bidding war in the US and was eventually signed by Wind Up Entertainment, in August 2001, for launch into the U.S. market.  

In the last ten years Seether have enjoyed top 10 success through the United States, Canada, Germany, France, South Africa, Australia and Japan with more than ten singles, five major movie synchronisations, two albums that have gone gold across the world and one that has gone platinum. See Appendix A for detail. 

Candîce was a Musketeer project for over two years and her project involved songwriters in USA, Australia and South Africa, with Candice herself co-writing 5 tracks on her debut album. The album, “Chasing Your Tomorrows”, was released to local critical acclaim in January 2003. The album was produced by in Australia by Clive Young  and mixed by Paul Gomersall (George Michael, Phil Collins), also in Australia. Musketeer then took Candice internationally and signed her to Sony UK in September 2003.

The Company has also had significant success across gaming software with Sugardrive (2004), Zola (2006), Heroes Wear Red (2009) and 7th Son (2010) all securing levels of involvement, either with in game music or direct sponsorship.

2010 has seen the company extend it’s reach directly into Europe and the USA with tours completed and planned for the rest of 2010 and well into 2011.  Eric Begala, once a Nelson Mandela praise singer, has also had a song released for the 2010 World Cup called “The Beautiful Game”.
