TORONTO — BraveWords Records has announced the signing of power pop artist Colin Peterik, marking a significant milestone in the musician’s career as he prepares to release a new album later this year.
The label revealed the signing as Peterik puts the finishing touches on a forthcoming project that is expected to expand his presence within the contemporary pop and rock landscape. Known for his strong melodic sensibilities and songwriting style rooted in classic power pop traditions, Peterik has built a reputation for crafting memorable hooks and polished compositions.
The artist also carries a notable musical heritage. He is the son of Jim Peterik, the acclaimed songwriter and musician who co-wrote the iconic Rocky III anthem “Eye of the Tiger”. While the younger Peterik has established his own musical identity, the influence of great songwriting remains evident throughout his work.
The announcement comes as Peterik promotes his latest single, “Swans”, which serves as an early indication of the creative direction listeners can expect from his upcoming album.
Speaking about the agreement with BraveWords Records, Peterik expressed enthusiasm about joining the label and working with a team that has supported his career for years.
“Giles, Michael, Tim and BraveWords have believed in me since day one, so it was exciting and surreal when they asked me to be on the label. I look forward to doing big things with them, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join their stacked roster as a recording artist”.
The signing adds another artist to the BraveWords Records roster as the label continues to strengthen its presence in the independent music sector. Industry observers note that labels are increasingly seeking artists who combine traditional songwriting craftsmanship with contemporary production approaches, an area where Peterik has developed a distinctive voice.
Alongside the announcement, Peterik shared the inspiration behind “Swans”, a reinterpretation of a song originally recorded by the British group Prefab Sprout. The artist explained that his appreciation for the band began after an introduction from his father several years ago.
“My Dad (Jim Peterik) introduced me to Prefab Sprout about 5 years ago. He has showed me so much great music over the years, but this underrated British group must have slipped through the cracks!
Quickly I devoured their entire discography. I was obsessed with the lead singer/songwriter, Paddy McAloon and how he weaved words with melodies like I’ve never heard before.
“Swans” is a beautiful song from their 1997 album “Andromeda Heights”. The protagonist warns his lover that he’s bad news, and there’s still time for her to turn around. Paddy’s silky-smooth vocals express longing; using swans and foxes as metaphors.
I found myself singing it while waiting in a never-ending line at Disney World with my kids, and began working on the track that very night. When we got home, I recorded and finished the track. It was a lot of fun to get into it- I could almost feel the psychic connection with Paddy, singing his lyrics on the mic.
The original version’s production is very minimal, with no percussion, just ethereal keyboards. I decided to take it in a lo-fi hip-hop/jazz direction, which I think fits the mood well. We added some sax, flute, and horns as a finishing touch. I’m very happy with the result, and I hope Paddy has a chance to hear it someday. I’d love to meet him one day.”
According to Peterik, the project emerged from a deep admiration for the songwriting of Paddy McAloon, whose work with Prefab Sprout has been widely praised for its lyrical sophistication and melodic depth. Rather than recreate the original arrangement, Peterik chose to introduce new stylistic elements, blending lo-fi hip-hop and jazz influences into the recording while preserving the emotional character of the song.
The resulting track features additional instrumentation, including saxophone, flute and horn arrangements, creating a fuller sound than the minimalist production of the original version.
For BraveWords Records, the signing represents an opportunity to support an artist entering a new phase of his career. With a new album expected later in the year and “Swans” already attracting attention among listeners, Peterik appears well-positioned to expand his audience through the partnership.
As work on the upcoming release nears completion, both the label and artist are looking ahead to what could be a significant period of growth, driven by new music and increased exposure across the independent music market.
