As we continue to highlight the artists and Labels that recently joined the Rdio catalog, we’re on to the next Label from the Beggars Group umbrella. Joining 4AD and Matador Records, Rough Trade Records is a London-based testament to music industry’s rich history.
Much like its sister label 4AD, Rough Trade Records sprung from a record store. Building off the early success of bands like The Smiths, Scritti Politti and Stiff Little Fingers, their subsequent years saw enormous growth and belief in a DIY-ethos. Although their business side is complex, we’ll let their catalog of past and present artists speak for itself. Among their roster are Mercury Prize-winning (and nominated) bands like Antony & The Johnsons, Arcade Fire and British Sea Power.
If you crave more background from this storied Label, check out their 2006-published history, Rough Trade: Labels Unlimited. You can also find a shorter version of their history on the Rough Trade website.
Old School Rough Trade Artists
- Arthur Russell
- James Blood Ulmer
- Jarvis Cocker
- Linton Kwesi Johnson
- Lucinda Williams
- Mazzy Star
- Pere Ubu
- Robert Wyatt
- Scritti Politti
- Stiff Little Fingers
- Television Personalities
- The Sundays
- The Fall
- The Raincoats
- The Smiths
- Young Marble Giants
Second Generation Rough Trade Artists
- Albert Hammond Jr.
- Alela Diane
- Antony & The Johnsons
- Babyshambles
- Basia Bulat
- Belle & Sebastian
- British Sea Power
- Destroyer
- God Help the Girl
- Islands
- Jeffrey Lewis
- Jenny Lewis
- Julian Casablancas
- Little Joy
- Micachu
- Monsters of Folk
- My Morning Jacket
- Pantha du Prince
- The Decemberists
- The Detroit Cobras
- The Libertines
- The Hold Steady
- The Long Blondes
- The Moldy Peaches
- The Strokes
- The Veils
- Warpaint
For a complete list of artists who are or have been on Rough Trade Records, check Wikipedia or RoughTradeRecords.com, where you’ll also find news and their blog. Follow @roughtraderecs for immediate updates on their new releases and touring information.
Previous label features include: Matador Records, 4AD, Epitaph Records, Merge Records, Domino Records and Nettwerk
