Independent Record Labels You Should Know

Twitter

Tweets by byrdhouselabel

Records

Damp Future
Birthwater

In My Head
Blue & Gold

Pulling Teeth
Prehistoric Forest

High Risk, No Reward
The Heavies

Independent Record
Labels You Should Know

Independent record labels are an important part of the music industry today. While the majority record labels—like Sony, Warner, and Universal Music Group—have had the monopoly on record labels for quite some time, independent record labels are usually responsible for bringing in new talent and innovation to the industry. Guys like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis once belonged to independent record labels. Often times, if you want to know the future of an industry, you look to the independent line-ups. Here are some independent record labels you should know about.

Mad Decent

Founded: 2006

Genre: EDM

Mad Decent is perhaps knowns for popularizing EDM into mainstream music. Mad Decent has introduced us to artists like Dillion Francis, Major Lazer, and Riff Raff.

XL Recordings

Founded: 1989

Genre: Electronic, Dance Music

While only releasing an average of six albums per year, XL Recordings is a popular and well-respected recording label in the music industry. Today, they work the largest acts in the independent arena. Some of their most alumnus include Badly Drawn Boy, The Creator, and Jack White.

Frenchkiss

Founded: 1999

Genre: Indie Rock

Frenchkiss Records has easily been one of the most influential labels in New York City, popularizing many indie bands to a city-wide following. Popular acts include The Antlers, Local Natives, and Passion Pit.

Paper Garden Records

Founded: 2005

Genre: Folk, Experimental, Pop, Indie

Paper Garden Records is an experimental record label that—after ten years—still has a heavily-influenced do it yourself type of vibe to it. They are responsible for the folk-oriented bands Fierce Creatures, Little Tybee, and Dad Rocks!

Mexican Summer

Founded: 2008

Genre: Indie Rock

The Mexican Summer label was originally intended for limited-releases, but it soon expanded to have over one-hundred of its own releases. Mexican Summer is responsible for some oddball rockers such as Haunted Graffiti and Kurt Vile, along with folk rockers like The Tallest Man on Earth.