One Little Independent Records (formerly One Little Indian Records) is an English independent record label. It was set up in 1985 by members of various anarcho-punk bands, and managed by former Flux of Pink Indians bassist Derek Birkett. In the 1990s it set up a number of subsidiary labels.
| One Little Independent Records | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Spiderleg Records |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Derek Birkett |
| Genre | Punk rock |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Location | London |
| Official website | olirecords |
History
editOne Little Indian Records was founded in 1985 by members of various anarcho-punk bands, and managed by former Flux of Pink Indians bassist Derek Birkett, with the name inspired by the "philosophies of the Indigenous People of the Americas".[1]
The label's first success came with A.R. Kane and Flux of Pink Indians in 1986. Success continued with Alabama 3,[2] Björk,[3] Chumbawamba, Kitchens of Distinction, The Shamen,[2] Skunk Anansie,[2] Sneaker Pimps, and the Sugarcubes.[3]
Beginning in 1990, the label created several autonomous satellite imprints including Clean-up Records, Partisan Records and Fat Cat Records,[citation needed] all of which had success. Artists on the labels included Alabama 3 (A3), Sigur Rós, and Sneaker Pimps. Elemental Records was added to the roster in 1995.[citation needed]
The song titles of The Shamen's 1996 album Hempton Manor form an acrostic, spelling out "Fuck Birket" in an acrimonious reference to founder Birkett, who wanted the group to move back into more commercial territory.[4]
In 1997 and 2001, the company also acquired some of the old Rough Trade Records and Nude Records labels, and the rights to several albums previously released by spinART Records.
In 2009, Paul McCartney, along with Youth, released an album called Electric Arguments under the name of The Fireman through One Little Indian.[2]
In June 2020, in response to worldwide protests following the murder of George Floyd, it was announced that the company's name would be changed from One Little Indian Records to One Little Independent Records with immediate effect,[5] and that the company would donate money towards organisations which promote and assist Native American communities in North America.[6] In a written statement, Birkett said:
The last few weeks have been a monumental learning curve ... Following the receipt of an eye-opening letter from a Crass fan that detailed precisely why the logo and label name are offensive, as well as the violent history of the terminology, I felt equally appalled and grateful to them for making me understand what must be changed.[1]
Notable artists
edit- Árný Margrét[7]
- Ásgeir[8]
- Björk[9]
- Cody Chesnutt
- Daisy Chainsaw
- Emilíana Torrini[8]
- Foxtrott[10]
- Fufanu[3]
- Gabríel Ólafs[11]
- Galya Bisengalieva[12]
- God Damn[2]
- Jesse Malin
- Kathryn Williams[13]
- Manu Delago
- Marry Waterson[14]
- Olga Bell[9]
- Queenadreena
- Samaris[2]
- Sarasara[15]
- The Shamen
- The Sugarcubes
- Wild Palms[16]
Reception
editAmazing Radio has characterised the label as "consistently brilliant" and as having "a rich musical history".[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Lady Antebellum: US band change name to Lady A over slave-era links". BBC News. 11 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Interview: One Little Indian". Amazing Radio. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Dave (8 January 2015). "Björk, KUKL and Purrkur Pillnikk – the anarcho-punk roots of Iceland's music scene". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ "7 secret codes and ciphers hidden in music - BBC Music". www.bbc.co.uk. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ "Record label One Little Indian scraps name". BBC News. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ Hatfield, Amanda (10 June 2020). "One Little Indian changes "offensive" name to One Little Independent Records". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Oliver, Will (23 October 2022). "Arny Margret - "whatever it means"". We All Want Someone To Shout For. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ a b Hobbs, Matt (27 November 2014). "Ásgeir at Shepherd's Bush Empire". The Upcoming. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ a b Joyce, Colin (13 October 2015). "Olga Bell Surveys Emotional Wreckage on 'Rubbernecker'". Spin. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ Stone, Russell Dean (15 July 2015). "Foxtrott's New Mixtape Hits All the Right Frequencies". Beat. Archived from the original on 13 December 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ Ehrat, Noemi (24 July 2018). "19-Year Old Gabríel Ólafs Signs With One Little Indian". Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (4 September 2020). "5 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Bill Callahan, Lomelda, Big Sean, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Hasty, Katie (20 May 2010). "Song Of The Day: Kathryn Williams gives a 'Little Lesson' for our love". HitFix. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ "Home town gig for folk siblings". Whitby Gazette. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
- ^ Lester, Paul (26 September 2016). "New band of the week: Sarasara (No 121) – gorgeous but outlandish glitchy pop".
- ^ Turauskis, Maria (28 October 2010). "Wild Palms Interview". More Than the Music. Retrieved 11 November 2015.