Markets and Audiences – 2

Record Label Investigation

Identify 3 UK Independent Record Labels:

Cooking Vinyl

XL Recordings

Rough Trade Records

When and Where Were They Formed?

Cooking Vinyl – Formed in Stockwell, South London in 1986 by Martin Goldschmidt and Pete Lawrence.

XL Recordings – Formed in London (I assume, seeing as that’s where their main headquarters are) in 1989 by Tim Palmer and Nick Halkes.

Rough Trade Records – Starting out as a record shop, Rough Trade was opened by Geoff Travis on Kensington Park Road, West London in 1976. Steve Montgomery, who was originally a customer, became the effective co-manager soon after the shop opened and Rough Trade began organising a record distribution network in 1978.

Who Are the Main Artists They Release?

Cooking Vinyl – Alison Moyet, The Darkness, Feeder, The Fratellis, Lewis Watson, Passenger, The Proclaimers, Richard Ashcroft, Saint Raymond, Will Young

XL Recordings – Adele, Dizzee Rascal, Frank Ocean, Giggs, Jack White, The Prodigy, Radiohead, Tyler The Creator, Wiley

Rough Trade Records – Arcade Fire, Belle and Sebastian, British Sea Power, Jarvis Cocker, The Libertines, Mystery Jets, Sleaford Mods, The Strokes, Super Furry Animals, Warpaint

Is There a Defining Sound or Genre?

Cooking Vinyl – Singer-Songwriters are prominent in this label, however rock music is also clearly present, represented through bands like The Darkness and Feeder.

XL Recordings – Largely urban and hip-hop music, with exception to a few artists, such as Adele (pop / soul) and Jack White & Radiohead (rock).

Rough Trade Records – Indie rock and folk are the dominant genres for Rough Trade.

Can You Find an Independent Label That You Feel Would Fit Perfectly for You and Your Music?

Having read up on a number of independent labels and the artists that they currently release, I believe the best fit for me personally would be Cooking Vinyl. Based on my analysis of everyone they currently have signed, I think my style and my music is most suited to them, I just need to wait for that phone call (please please please pleaaaaase).