Stemming from a record store turned music label, two employees of the chain Beggars Banquet took a chance and created what we now know as 4AD Records. With a more experimental flair than their parent company, they found enough success with the release of Bauhaus and Rema-Rema’s music to make a go of it. Thirty years later, 4AD is still part of Beggars Group alongside sister labels Matador, Rough Trade, and XL Recordings, who we’ll be highlighting in the coming weeks.
If you’d like to read more about 4AD’s tremendous history, their website does a great job of telling their story.
Classic 4AD Artists
- Bauhaus
- Belly
- The Breeders
- Cocteau Twins
- Dead Can Dance
- Emma Pollock
- His Name is Alive
- Kristin Hersh
- Lush
- Minotaur Shock
- Modern English
- Mojave 3
- Pixies
- Red House Painters
- Throwing Muses
- The The
- Thievery Corporation
- This Mortal Coil
More Recent 4AD Artists
- Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
- Atlas Sound
- Blonde Redhead
- Bon Iver
- Broken Records
- Camera Obscura
- Deerhunter
- Department of Eagles
- Gang Gang Dance
- Iron and Wine
- The National
- Scott Walker
- St. Vincent
- Tune-Yards
A few years ago, 4AD created a video series, 4AD Sessions, to showcase some of their artists in a beautiful, intimate HD recording. Participating artists included Stornoway, Tune-Yards, Efterklang, Twin Shadows. It just may change how you feel about watching music videos on your computer.
For a complete list of artists who’ve been or are on 4AD, read up on Wikipedia or 4ad.com where you’ll also find more news, and 4AD’s journal. Follow @4ad_official for immediate updates on their new releases and touring information.
Previous label features include: Epitaph Records, Merge Records, Domino Records and Nettwerk
