Labels
4ad
4AD
For more information on 4AD.com , you can go to their web site or the 4AD Journal.
“Iconic” is one of those words which is used more often than it ought to be, but if it applies to any record label, surely it applies to 4AD. Like other labels born during the post-punk diaspora (Factory, Postcard, Fast Product) 4AD quickly developed a unique visual identity and a unique position in the musical landscape of the time; unlike them, 4AD is still here, still releasing interesting music in wonderful packaging, and still inspiring devotion in listeners all over the world.
The label was founded in 1980...
matador
Matador Records
Please visit Matador's web site for full information, the Matador Store and the infamous Matablog .
roughtrade
Rough Trade
Rough Trade was founded in 1976 by Geoff Travis. The label grew out of the Rough Trade Shop in West London. Their stunning legacy includes Arcade Fire, Belle & Sebastian, Butthole Surfers, The Fiery Furnaces, The Libertines, Pere Ubu, The Raincoats, Jonathan Richman, Arthur Russell, The Smiths, The Strokes, Super Furry Animals, Young Marble Giants, and really far too many more to mention. Rough Trade has since joined the Beggars Group and Geoff has most recently been named by Q Magazine one of the very prestigious 21 Non-Musicians Who Changed Music.
xlrecordings
XL Recordings
When XL started, back in the heady Acid House days of 1989, we specialised in the gritty, street-orientated, D.I.Y. rave sounds that were coming from London’s suburbs. Alongside other independents like Shut Up And Dance and Suburban Bass, we helped shape a sound that was equally influenced by American urban music and European electronic sounds. Our noisy, abrasive records were shunned by all media and had a fuck you aesthetic reminiscent of punk.
This spirit is neatly encapsulated by The Prodigy's Experience LP, the work of an Essex teenager, Liam Howlett...