CANTORA TEAM

About Cantora Records

New York City. 2005. Two guys, Jesse Israel and Will Griggs, share a typical introductory conversation sophomore year at NYU. The chat naturally turns to music within thirty seconds. Conversation turns into action. Parties are thrown, records are played. Soon they decide to get serious and make the obvious move to bring a kid from California named Nick Panama into the fold. They aren't sure exactly what they plan on doing: A) Manage bands B) Book shows C) Put out records or D) All of the above.

Everyone knows you have to pick D.

Now its 2010 and they're more than glad they did.

Jesse Israel

Chieftain

I will fly with you.

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Nick Panama

Chieftain

Let's make better mistakes tomorrow.

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Will Griggs

Chieftain

Always takes requests.

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CREATIVE FORCE

Ben Rowland

Photographer

Ben's work is focused on portraiture and documentary photography. His photos have been published in NME, The Village Voice, Q Magazine, Dazed and Confused and Spin. Ben shoots just about everything for Cantora...

Seth Brau

Designer / Animator

Seth was that dude at your highschool who pulled babes by turning white vans into psychedelic master pieces. Now he's grown that gift into insane animations and next level film production and green screen technique...

Ben Altarescu

Filmmaker / Editor

Ben is an nyc film head specializing in everything and interested in anything. Dude has sharp ideas and a clean eye, with a background in doc and narrative filmmaking. When Alt told us he copped an HVX we knew it was about to get live...

Sam Fuller

Director / Photographer

Sam Fuller is half of Whiz Mob, a production company whose work has been viewed over 3.5 million times online. He is currently working on a concert film for Francis and The Lights, as well as his debut feature film which takes place in...

Andrew Simkiss

Filmmaker / Cinematographer

Quist has the touch. If he gets behind a project, it's gonna look damn good. He can whip-out pro-looking music videos on a solo-crew shoot yet can man the reigns on beautiful big production narratives...

Albert Di Fiore

Recording Engineer / Producer

Albert is a mean and innovative engineer, mixer, sound designer and producer. He runs and owns The Rumpus Room studios, part of the Cantora space in South Slope, Brooklyn. Albert has tracked and...

Jesse Lee Stout

Graphic Designer / Visual Artist

Cantora recruited Jesse in 2008 to develop the logo and website re-design for the label, in addition to ephemera for Rumspringa. Jesse Lee has formed a client-based graphic design... studio specializing in all forms of printed matter, websites...

Mateo Ramirez

Photographer / Filmmaker

Mateo is a New York based director and photographer. He grew up in Springs, NY and is a graduate of Parsons School of Design. Mateo handles all Cantora NYC Live HD video, Violens' music videos and band studio session photo stills...

Evan Romoff

Filmmaker / Editor

Based in LA and strapped with multiple HD cams, Evan murders music videos, studio teasers, live performance and specialized web content. Romer handles all Cantora Los Angeles film content...

FAMILY

RED MRI

Distribution

All of our records are distributed and delicately placed into stores throughout the US by the fine gals and fellows at RED/MRI.

The Bicycle Music Company

Sync Licensing + Placement

For any sync, licensing, or placement inquiries, please contact Michael Pizzuto at Bicycle for access to our catalog in TV, Film, or Ads.

Bellwether Manufacturing

Manufacturing + Pressing

BW is the best manufacturing company in the game -- full of devoted music lovers and the kind of unparalleled customer service that's nearly impossible to find elsewhere in this day and age.