North Country Collective is a vibrant promotional music collective and record label based in Vancouver, British Columbia, founded in the summer of 2021. The collective was established by artists Elliot C Way, Johnny 99, and Bob Sumner, along with music industry veteran and NCC President Nick Lawton. Its mission is to shine a spotlight on the incredible roots music scene both in Vancouver and across Canada, helping to foster growth and recognition for local talent. From the beginning, the collective has worked hard to create a trustworthy brand built on a foundation of honest songwriting and storytelling, and that ethos continues to guide every project they undertake.
Since its inception, North Country Collective has been an instrumental force in the Vancouver music scene, releasing a series of diverse, impactful and critically acclaimed albums by its founders and friends. These include the laid back, California country of Johnny 99's "Words Left Unsaid" (2022), Elliot C Way's vision of Cosmic Americana featured on "All I Know" (2023), and Bob Sumner's heartfelt mixture of classic songwriting and modern production on "Some Place To Rest Easy" (2024). The collective also helped bring its latest full- length release, the vintage country album “Make Way For This Heartache” (2024) by Ben Arsenault, to a wider audience.
Beyond recordings, the collective has hosted a variety of live events that showcase the diverse range of talent in Vancouver's roots community, across Canada and south of the border. Highlights include Elliot C Way’s annual "Hot Country Night Out" event at the iconic Vogue Theatre, which provides incredible exposure for local country artists, the “Moonshinin' Music Festival”, which has brought together an eclectic mix of Vancouver's best performers, and the singer-songwriter focused "For The Sake Of The Song" series at the Wise Hall, curated by Bob Sumner and featuring many talented performers such as the Portland based Jeffrey Martin and Alberta's Richard Inman. The collective has also promoted Johnny 99's "Hippy Honky Tonk" night in Toronto, a gathering of that city's finest roots musicians, as well as the monthly "Tender Mercy" singer-songwriter night at Vancouver's The Heatley bar.
Looking ahead, North Country Collective is expanding its programming and plans to focus on Alberta in 2026, working with that province's deep well of talent including NCC artist Chance Lovett and in-demand guitarist Tyler Allen. A showcase event, featuring most of the artists on the NCC roster, took place during the Calgary Stampede this summer at the Pioneer, marking a year of growth and broader outreach as well as the Collective's fourth anniversary. Closer to home, they hosted a sold out North Country Collective showcase event at the Fox Cabaret during the Juno Awards week in Vancouver. With a growing roster that includes newly announced artists Ian Badger and Chaya Harvey, the collective continues to support and elevate the thriving roots music community in Vancouver and beyond.
Check out a profile on the label and interview with founders Elliot C Way, Bob Sumner and Nick Lawton in RANGE Magazine: https://readrange.com/north-country-collective/