Dani Oliva launches Errant Records, a 2SLGBTQ-run label

Dani Oliva, one of the first openly trans executives at a major music company, has launched the Canadian music label Errant Records to champion diversity.

"I felt an affinity to music and the folks that make it because it expanded my worldview; wanting to be closer to music-makers and album projects, I started working in music marketing for labels in my teens," Oliva, who is an entertainment attorney and business strategist, shared in a press release. 

"I wasn't happy with label options for clients and wanted to create a label centred around music artist services," he continued. "Over the decade since that conversation, I made a personal commitment to learn what artists need to feel supported and to develop global relationships to help them."

Oliva has worked with artists such as Ariana Grande and Kaytranada, but says he intends to focus on artists outside the mainstream and fill a void left by widespread layoffs at major labels that he says has left many artists floundering.

The Vaughan, Ontario-based label's first signings include Haitian Canadian R&B/pop-soul singer-songwriter Charmie, a Honey Jam alum whose credits include co-writing Better Than Ever on Nelly Furtado's most recent album, 7.

"I'm excited to release new music with Errant, we've been working on some bangers," Charmie told CBC Music.

"I'm so happy to be working with a trans man who is ready to remind us that the world isn't flat," she added. "I'm definitely looking forward to finally being heard. Thank you Dani! Worldwide takeover, baby."

Also signed to Errant is Toronto's Gus, a pop singer-songwriter who has toured with Johnny Orlando.

Errant's management roster includes composer, singer and producer Maiah Manser, Grammy-winning mastering engineer Emerson Mancini, and singer-songwriter/guitarist Hiroki Tanaka, formerly of Yamantaka // Sonic Titan.

According to Oliva, the label plans to focus primarily on Canadian musicians, especially those who are queer, Black, Indigenous or people of colour.

"The ethos is representing artists that are not typically represented in the public purview," Oliva told the Canadian Press by phone from Los Angeles.

"That's BIPOC artists, queer artists, artists with a little bit of a left-of-centre perspective," he said.

Oliva points to Vancouver indie label Nettwerk Music Group as a shining example of what he hopes to achieve. The company was founded in the 1980s and helped establish the careers of Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies and others on the global market.

"I do think it's important to foster relationships within Canada, but you also, in my opinion, have to have a global perspective in mind," Oliva added.

"And [Errant] is centred around helping artists grown in Canada develop their global relationships in a way that feels good to them, and that includes in the U.S."