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OWSLA | |
---|---|
Founded | August 17, 2011 |
Founder | Sonny Moore (Skrillex) |
Status | Active |
Distributor(s) | Atlantic Records [1] |
Genre | |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Los Angeles, California |
Official website | owsla |
OWSLA is an American record label and creative collective. [6] [7] It was founded by Skrillex and co-founded by Tim Smith, Kathryn Frazier, and Clayton Blaha in 2011. [8] [9] Skrillex announced the label on August 17, 2011. The label's first release was Porter Robinson's Spitfire . [10]
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos, while also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists, and maintaining contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from the circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information. Within the mainstream music industry, recording artists have traditionally been reliant upon record labels to broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and be both promoted and heard on music streaming services, radio, and television. Record labels also provide publicists, who assist performers in gaining positive media coverage, and arrange for their merchandise to be available via stores and other media outlets.
Sonny John Moore, known professionally as Skrillex, is an American record producer, DJ, singer, songwriter and musician. Growing up in Northeast Los Angeles and in Northern California, he joined the American post-hardcore band From First to Last as the lead singer in 2004, and recorded two studio albums with the band before leaving to pursue a solo career in 2007. He began his first tour as a solo artist in late 2007. After recruiting a new band lineup, Moore joined the Alternative Press Tour to support bands such as All Time Low and The Rocket Summer, and appeared on the cover of Alternative Press' annual "100 Bands You Need to Know" issue.
Porter Weston Robinson is an American DJ, Grammy nominated record producer, singer and musician from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He has released multiple number one singles across different electronic genres. His debut full-length studio album, Worlds, was released on August 12, 2014. In 2017, Robinson began releasing music as Virtual Self, with his self-titled EP Virtual Self released on October 25, 2017.
The name "OWSLA" is a reference to Richard Adams' fantasy novel Watership Down which is about a group of anthropomorphized rabbits who live in a Sandleford warren. [11]
Richard George Adams was an English novelist and writer of the books Watership Down, Shardik and The Plague Dogs. He studied modern history at university before serving in the British Army during World War II. Afterwards, he completed his studies, and then joined the British Civil Service. In 1974, two years after Watership Down was published, Adams became a full-time author.
Watership Down is a survival and adventure novel by English author Richard Adams, published by Rex Collings Ltd of London in 1972. Set in southern England, around Hampshire, the story features a small group of rabbits. Although they live in their natural wild environment, with burrows, they are anthropomorphised, possessing their own culture, language, proverbs, poetry, and mythology. Evoking epic themes, the novel follows the rabbits as they escape the destruction of their warren and seek a place to establish a new home, encountering perils and temptations along the way.
In 2012, OWSLA launched a monthly subscription, The Nest, with benefits including early access to OWSLA releases. [12] In 2013, Bromance Records partners up with OWSLA to create an American branch titled BromanceUS with releases from Gesaffelstein, Illangelo, Brodinski and LOUISAHHH!!!. [13] A year later, OWSLA launched the Nestivus Charity Campaign, a series of holiday initiatives with all proceeds going to the international music nonprofit, Bridges for Music. [14]
Mike Lévy, known professionally as Gesaffelstein, is a French record producer, songwriter, musician and DJ. He has worked alongside artists as varied as The Weeknd, Miss Kittin, Daft Punk, A$AP Rocky, Phoenix, Kanye West, Jean-Michel Jarre and Pharrell Williams.
Carlo Montagnese, better known as Illangelo, is a Grammy Award-winning Canadian producer, songwriter, musician and mixing engineer from Calgary, Alberta, who came to attention as long-time collaborator of The Weeknd. His work includes Post Malone's "I Fall Apart", Fall Out Boy "The Last of the Real Ones", Lykke Li, M.I.A., MØ, executive production of The Weeknd's 2011 mixtapes, the 2012 compilation album from The Weeknd titled Trilogy along with singles from rappers Wiz Khalifa's "Remember You", Drake's "Crew Love", Ricky Hil's "Nomads",, and remixes such as Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night " and Florence and the Machine's "Shake It Out ". He was one half of the duo Somewhere Else with collaborator Billy Walsh, and he released his debut concept album History of Man on August 20, 2013 under his label Hear the Art Inc., Bromance Records and Owsla.
On September 18, 2016, OWSLA celebrated 5 years of establishment with a party in Los Angeles. In a video published by OWSLA, Skrillex spoke about the establishment. He said "I make music 'cause I love music and it all starts from there. And I surround myself with good people that I believe in as well. I think it’s important to create your family." [15] The General Manager of OWSLA, Blaise DeAngelo asserted that Skrillex previously, like many other artists, had issues with record labels, implying that it caused him to create his own. OWSLA was described as a label started for electronic music artists who "couldn’t get good label deals or resources and support they needed." [16]
Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in California, the second most populous city in the United States, after New York City, and the third most populous city in North America. With an estimated population of four million, Los Angeles is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. The city is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and its sprawling metropolis. Los Angeles is the largest city on the West Coast of North America.
Porter Robinson's Spitfire was the label's debut release. Releases that followed, such as Zedd’s Shave It, Gesaffelstein’s Pursuit and What So Not’s Jaguar, were described as prominent. [16] OWSLA Head of A&R Chris Morris explained that "In order for an artist to be signed, there has to be that passion from the top down," asserting that it is an "artist-driven" company. [17] On May 5, 2017, OWSLA released an annual compilation album, HOWSLA. [18] It was described by Pitchfork as a "a focused take that’s largely modeled on bassline house, a style from the northern UK that’s distinguished by greasy low-end melodies, hard-thwacked drums, and a slippery, skippy sense of swing." [19] Subsidiaries of OWSLA include Nest HQ, a website dedicated to giving exposure to electronic music artists and OWSLA Goods, a 'fashion wing'. [20]
Spitfire is the debut extended play (EP) by American electronic music producer Porter Robinson, released on September 13, 2011 as the first release by Skrillex's record label OWSLA. The EP is available in CD format and digital download. It reached #1 on the iTunes Dance chart as well as the number one spot on Beatport's overall release chart, crashing Beatport's servers upon release. The EP has gained popularity with the Knife Party remix of "Unison", which has over five million YouTube views as of August 2013. The album cover pictures a Titan II GLV rocket during liftoff.
What So Not is an electronic music project by Australian record producer Emoh Instead, and formerly a duo with record producer Flume. What So Not has toured the world, playing in various festivals, including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Pukkelpop, Ultra Music Festival and Lollapalooza. What So Not is best known for his hits such as "Gemini", "Jaguar", "High You Are" and "Tell Me". He has featured on charts such as the Australian Singles Chart, Triple J Hottest 100, and iTunes Electronic chart. He released his debut album titled Not All the Beautiful Things on 9 March 2018.
Pitchfork is an American online magazine launched in 1995 by Ryan Schreiber, based in Chicago, Illinois, and owned by Condé Nast. Being developed during Schreiber's tenure in a record store at the time, the magazine developed a reputation for its extensive focus on independent music, but has since expanded to a variety of coverage on both indie and popular music.
Chris Lake is a British electronic music producer and DJ.
Mau5trap is an independent Canadian record label founded in 2007 by electronic music producer Deadmau5. The label was formerly a vanity label, hosting releases through Ultra Music and Virgin Records. In June 2013, Mau5trap departed from Ultra, and partnered with Astralwerks, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. As of October 2015, Mau5trap is fully independent with music rights and publishing at Kobalt Music Group.
Christian Valentin Brunn, better known by his stage name Virtual Riot, is a German DJ and electronic music producer. He has released seventeen extended plays and one studio album, most notably his 2016 EP Chemistry, which peaked at 20 on the Dance/Electronic Albums charts. He was signed to the independent music label Disciple Recordings in 2014. On 16 April 2019, he announced that he is currently signed to Skrillex's OWSLA label.
Sander van Dijck, better known by his stage name San Holo, is a Dutch DJ, musician, record producer and composer from Zoetermeer. He gained international recognition for his remix of Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode", which currently has over 175 million views on YouTube. He has released music on several record labels including Spinnin' Records, OWSLA, Barong Family, and Monstercat. He also founded Bitbird, a label which has released several of his singles including "Still Looking" and "Light" and his debut album Album1. San Holo's first EP, Cosmos, was released via Heroic on 18 September 2014 and was in the Top 100 Electronic category of iTunes. San Holo's first album, Album1, was released via Bitbird on 21 September 2018 and debuted at #7 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
Amber Giles, known professionally as Mija, is an American electronic music producer, DJ, and promoter, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, who came to attention in 2014 after she played with Skrillex.
Wiwek Mahabali, better known mononymously as Wiwek, is a Dutch DJ and music producer based in Utrecht, Netherlands.
Tanner Petulla, known professionally as Getter, is an American DJ, producer, rapper, actor and comedian from San Jose, California.
Isabelle Rezazadeh, known by her stage name Rezz, is a Canadian DJ and record producer from Niagara Falls, Ontario. She released her debut EP, Insurrection in 2015 through OWSLA's sub-label Nest HQ. In 2016, she signed with Deadmau5's record label Mau5trap, and released follow-ups The Silence is Deafening and Something Wrong Here. On August 4, 2017, Rezazadeh released her debut studio album, Mass Manipulation, with its follow up, Certain Kind of Magic, released in 2018.
Tyler Marenyi, better known by his stage name Nghtmre, is an American DJ and electronic dance music producer based in Los Angeles, California.
Ethan Snoreck, better known by his stage name Whethan, is an American DJ and music producer from Chicago. He gained recognition after his remix of the track "XE3" by Mssingno, which as of December 2018 has garnered just under 12 million plays on SoundCloud.
Valentino Khan is an American DJ and producer born and raised in Los Angeles. He is best known for releasing material through Diplo, Skrillex and Steve Aoki. His singles "Deep Down Low" and "Make Some Noise" peaked at number one and fifty respectively on the "Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists" chart.
Vindata is a producer/DJ duo consisting of Branden Ratcliff and Jared Poythress, based in Los Angeles. In March 2017, they were featured on Rolling Stone's list of 10 New Artists You Need to Know Now. They gained recognition with a single featuring Kenzie May, "All I Really Need." Shortly after, Skrillex signed them to a record deal at OWSLA where they released Through Time and Space featuring Kenzie May again as well as Anderson Paak, Chuck Ellis and Kaleena Zanders and Mack.
Sajeeb Saha, known professionally as Jai Wolf, is a New York-based electronic music producer. He is best known for his singles, "Indian Summer", "Like It's Over", and "Starlight". He is currently signed to Mom + Pop Music.
Wat the Frick is the ninth extended play by American DJ and electronic producer Getter. Wat the Frick was released on 2 September 2016, by American record label OWSLA.
Occult Classic is the debut studio album by American electronic music producer Kill the Noise. Occult Classic was released on 9 October 2015, by American electronic music label OWSLA. Occult Classic was later followed up by a 15-track remix album titled Alt Classic released on 13 May 2016.
OWSLA is an American record label founded by Skrillex and co-founded by Tim Smith, Kathryn Frazier, and Clayton Blaha in 2011. With releases such as Porter Robinson's Spitfire EP, Zedd’s Shave It, Gesaffelstein’s Pursuit and What So Not’s Jaguar. On July 18, 2013 Bromance Records partners up with OWSLA to create an American branch titled BromanceUS. Through the partnership they released Gesaffelstein's debut album Aleph on October 28, 2013.
"Hot Drum" is a song by English DJ and producer John Ford. It was originally released on 7 September 2016, but was re-released by American record label OWSLA on 16 November 2016.
"Agen Wida" is a song by English DJ and producer Joyryde and American record producer Skrillex. It was released on 19 October 2018 by American record label Owsla.
"New Breed" is a song by English DJ and producer Joyryde, featuring vocals by Los Angeles-based rapper Darnell Williams. American record label Owsla released it on 5 March 2017 as part of their 12-track compilation album Howsla.