Spotify is finally making its way to Canada

Canada is used to being jilted by online media providers that avoid the country like the plague, but that era may be nearing an end, just weeks after Google Play Music got the all clear, Spotify has confirmed that it’s coming to the True North Strong and Free. While the internet music service isn’t officially ready yet, it’s taking sign-ups for pre-launch invitations; the company says that it’s gradually expanding access over the “coming months” to make sure that it doesn’t choke on the inevitable flood of new users. That will undoubtedly feel like an eternity if you want to join non-Canuck friends who’ve been listening for years. However, you don’t have to sit idle while you’re waiting to stream some Arcade Fire or Metric. Spotify has already posted both its Android and iOS apps, and they should start working as soon as you have an account.

Spotify is set to launch in Canada, and soon. The company has launched a sign-up page where users can submit an email address in exchange for the prospect of receiving an invitation to use the service. It’s unclear when the company plans to open the proverbial floodgates, but this is the best indication we’ve seen yet that Spotify is serious about expanding north of the border. Spotify initially signalled its intent to launch in Canada as early as August 2012, but sat silently as competing services like Rdio, Deezer and Google Play Music have arrived in its stead. The piecemeal rollout is meant to create a service distinct to Canadian listening audiences. In a statement to iMore, the company said: “We know there is a lot of excitement and demand for Spotify in Canada and we want to reward those fans who have patiently waited for the launch, so we will begin sending out invitations to users who have signed up on the online waiting list shortly. Over the coming months we will be gradually inviting users on to the service in an attempt to systematically scale Spotify in the most manageable way possible.When Spotify launches in a specific country we always make sure that the experience is curated for local tastes and culture. That means great local content and local curation of the music discovery experience. Spotify in Canada needs to be much more than just the Canadian version of Spotify in the US. That is why we are taking our time to make sure that the service we launch in Canada is the best possible experience for music fans from B.C. to Nunavut to Newfoundland.”