Chris Taylor (attorney)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Normand "Chris" Taylor is a Canadian
entertainment law
yer and an influential music industry executive.
Taylor was raised in Windsor, Ontario
and graduated with a Communications degree in 1987, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School
in 1990 (the oldest law school in Canada). After graduating from law school he founded rock/reggae group, One, signing with Virgin Records in 1994 and was lead vocalist until 1995. The group released four albums including 1994’s, Smokin’ The Goats which included 2 Top 40 singles, "Wide Load" and "54-46". One performed widely throughout North America earning a reputation as one of the country's finest live bands. In 1996 Taylor returned to finish law school articles and was called to the Bar in 1997. In 1998, via his former manager Chris Smith, he discovered Nelly Furtado
and assisted with introducing her talents to record companies in the United States. Shortly following Furtado’s rise Taylor discovered Sum 41
and played a vital role in introducing them to the music industry. More recently he has been working for rap phenom, Drake
.
In 1997 he commenced practicing law with the law firm of Sanderson Taylor representing Canadian music royalty, Furtado, Avril Lavigne
, and Tom Cochrane
among others. In 2006 he founded his own law firm Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, representing additional acts such as Billy Talent
, Three Days Grace
, Justin Nozuka
, Daniel Powter
, Alexisonfire
, Gogol Bordello
and Lights
. His law firm also provides legal advice to YTV's #1 rated show, The Next Star
, Mobile App pioneers Pente Group (http://www.pentegroup.com), Akon-endorsed Hitlab (http://www.hitlab.com) as well as leading independent music publisher, ole (http://www.majorlyindie.com). In addition, he is the long time lawyer for leading Canadian media personalities, George Stroumboulopoulos
(http://www.cbc.ca/thehour) and Jian Ghomeshi
(http://www.cbc.ca/q) among others..
In 2003 he founded entertainment company, Last Gang Entertainment, discovering and signing leading alternative/dance artists, Metric
, Death From Above 1979
, MSTRKRFT
and Crystal Castles
.
After several years of introducing indie new wave/rock act, Metric, to industry contacts with limited success he founded Last Gang Entertainment with music industry promoter/impresario, Donald Tarlton to release Metric recordings. The label was nominated as Canadian Independent Record Label of the Year at the Canadian Music Awards in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. Metric’s first album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
has sold Gold in Canada (50,000) and over 250,000 copies worldwide. The label’s second signing, Death From Above 1979, also sold in excess of 50,000 records in Canada and has also sold over 250,000 copies around the globe. More recently the Crystal Castles’ self titled release was named one of the “Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade” by NME
. Last Gang is also the Canadian home label for Chromeo
and The New Pornographers
. Last Gang have offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London and Montreal with interests in publishing, management, and live events working forward-thinking, progressive dance and alternative acts The label most recently celebrated the sale of their millionth album.
Taylor continues to own and operate his law firm and Last Gang Entertainment.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
entertainment law
Entertainment law
Entertainment law or media law is a term for a mix of more traditional categories of law with a focus on providing legal services to the entertainment industry. The principal areas of Entertainment Law overlap substantially with the well-known and conventional field of intellectual property law...
yer and an influential music industry executive.
Taylor was raised in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
and graduated with a Communications degree in 1987, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
in 1990 (the oldest law school in Canada). After graduating from law school he founded rock/reggae group, One, signing with Virgin Records in 1994 and was lead vocalist until 1995. The group released four albums including 1994’s, Smokin’ The Goats which included 2 Top 40 singles, "Wide Load" and "54-46". One performed widely throughout North America earning a reputation as one of the country's finest live bands. In 1996 Taylor returned to finish law school articles and was called to the Bar in 1997. In 1998, via his former manager Chris Smith, he discovered Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
and assisted with introducing her talents to record companies in the United States. Shortly following Furtado’s rise Taylor discovered Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
and played a vital role in introducing them to the music industry. More recently he has been working for rap phenom, Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
.
In 1997 he commenced practicing law with the law firm of Sanderson Taylor representing Canadian music royalty, Furtado, Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
, and Tom Cochrane
Tom Cochrane
Tom Cochrane, OC Canadian musician and humanitarian, best known for his hit songs "Life Is a Highway", "Lunatic Fringe", "Human Race" and "I Wish You Well". Cochrane fronted the Canadian rock band Red Rider and has won seven Juno Awards...
among others. In 2006 he founded his own law firm Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, representing additional acts such as Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
, Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
, Justin Nozuka
Justin Nozuka
Justin Tokimitsu Nozuka is a American-Canadian singer-songwriter. His debut album Holly has been released in Europe, Canada, Japan and the United States...
, Daniel Powter
Daniel Powter
Daniel Richard Powter is a Canadian recording artist. He is known for his hit "Bad Day", which spent five weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Powter became the only act to register the #1 hit of the year but chart no other Hot 100 hit.- Life and career :Powter grew up in Vernon, in the...
, Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire was a five-piece, Juno-nominated post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada in 2001. The band consisted of George Pettit , Dallas Green , Wade MacNeil , Chris Steele , and Jordan Hastings .They describe their music as "the sound of two Catholic high-school girls...
, Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello
Gogol Bordello is a Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring.Much of the band's sound is inspired by Gypsy music...
and Lights
Lights (singer)
Lights Valerie Poxleitner is a Canadian electronic musician, signed to her own personal label, Lights Music. Her most notable singles include "Ice", "Second Go" and "Toes". In 2009, she was awarded the Juno Award for "Best New Artist".-Early life:Lights was born in Timmins, Ontario. Her parents...
. His law firm also provides legal advice to YTV's #1 rated show, The Next Star
The Next Star
The Next Star is a Canadian reality television show on YTV hosted by Adamo Ruggiero. The show is a competition to find the most talented singer in Canada who is under 15 years of age. The next star inspires many to come and audition for their chance to win the next star. Winning contestants are...
, Mobile App pioneers Pente Group (http://www.pentegroup.com), Akon-endorsed Hitlab (http://www.hitlab.com) as well as leading independent music publisher, ole (http://www.majorlyindie.com). In addition, he is the long time lawyer for leading Canadian media personalities, George Stroumboulopoulos
George Stroumboulopoulos
George Mark Paul Stroumboulopoulos is a Canadian television and radio personality, best known as the host of CBC Television's George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and being a VJ for Canadian music television channel MuchMusic...
(http://www.cbc.ca/thehour) and Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi is a Canadian broadcaster, writer, musician and producer of Iranian descent who was raised in Thornhill, Ontario. Now based in Toronto, he is the host of the national daily cultural affairs talk program, Q, on CBC Radio One and Bold TV...
(http://www.cbc.ca/q) among others..
In 2003 he founded entertainment company, Last Gang Entertainment, discovering and signing leading alternative/dance artists, Metric
Metric (band)
Metric is a Canadian indie rock and New Wave band founded in 1998 in Toronto. The band has also at various times been based in Montreal, London, New York City and Los Angeles...
, Death From Above 1979
Death from Above 1979
Death from Above 1979 are a Toronto-based Canadian dance-punk/noise rock duo. Their album, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine, was released in late 2004. The band broke up in 2006, but announced a reunion in 2011.-History:...
, MSTRKRFT
MSTRKRFT
MSTRKRFT is a Canadian electronic music duo from Toronto, Ontario. The group was started in 2005 by Jesse F. Keeler of Death from Above 1979 and Al-P formerly of the Mississauga, Ontario electropop group Girlsareshort...
and Crystal Castles
Crystal Castles (band)
Crystal Castles are an experimental electronic band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, consisting of producer Ethan Kath and lyricist and vocalist Alice Glass. Crystal Castles are known for their chaotic live shows and their lo-fi home productions. The duo released many limited EPs between 2006 and...
.
After several years of introducing indie new wave/rock act, Metric, to industry contacts with limited success he founded Last Gang Entertainment with music industry promoter/impresario, Donald Tarlton to release Metric recordings. The label was nominated as Canadian Independent Record Label of the Year at the Canadian Music Awards in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. Metric’s first album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?
Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? is a 2003 album by Canadian indie rock band Metric. This album has gone gold in Canada.-Track listing:All songs written by Metric.#"IOU" – 4:22#"Hustle Rose" – 5:33#"Succexy" – 3:05#"Combat Baby" – 3:29...
has sold Gold in Canada (50,000) and over 250,000 copies worldwide. The label’s second signing, Death From Above 1979, also sold in excess of 50,000 records in Canada and has also sold over 250,000 copies around the globe. More recently the Crystal Castles’ self titled release was named one of the “Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade” by NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. Last Gang is also the Canadian home label for Chromeo
Chromeo
Chromeo is an electrofunk duo formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2004.-History:Chromeo is composed of P-Thugg on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box, and Dave 1 on guitar and lead vocals...
and The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia.-History:The band's first four albums each ranked in the top 40 on The Village Voices Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a...
. Last Gang have offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London and Montreal with interests in publishing, management, and live events working forward-thinking, progressive dance and alternative acts The label most recently celebrated the sale of their millionth album.
Taylor continues to own and operate his law firm and Last Gang Entertainment.