One Little Independent Records

Last updated

One Little Independent Records
One Little Independent Records logo.png
Parent company Spiderleg Records
Founded1985 (1985)
FounderDerek Birkett
Genre Punk rock
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Location London
Official website olirecords.com

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.

Contents

History

One 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

Reception

Amazing Radio has characterised the label as "consistently brilliant" and as having "a rich musical history". [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

Sneaker Pimps are an English electronic music band, formed in Hartlepool in 1994. They are best known for their debut album, Becoming X (1996), and its singles "6 Underground" and "Spin Spin Sugar". The band takes its name from an article the Beastie Boys published in their Grand Royal magazine about a man they hired to track down classic sneakers.

Trip hop is a musical genre that originated in the late 1980s in the United Kingdom, especially Bristol. It has been described as a psychedelic fusion of hip hop and electronica with slow tempos and an atmospheric sound, often incorporating elements of jazz, soul, funk, reggae, dub, R&B, and other genres, typically of electronic music, as well as sampling from movie soundtracks and other eclectic sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sugarcubes</span> Icelandic rock band

The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band from Reykjavík formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. For most of their career, the band consisted of Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Einar Örn Benediktsson, Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums). Previous members included Friðrik Erlingsson (guitar) and Einar Melax (keyboards).

<i>Debut</i> (Björk album) 1993 studio album by Björk

Debut is the international debut studio album by Icelandic recording artist Björk, released in July 1993 by One Little Indian and Elektra Entertainment. It was produced by Björk and Nellee Hooper. It was Björk's first recording following the dissolution of her previous band, the Sugarcubes. The album departed from the rock style of her previous work and drew from an eclectic variety of styles, including electronic pop, house music, jazz and trip hop.

<i>Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!</i> 1989 studio album by the Sugarcubes

Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! is the second studio album by Icelandic alternative rock band the Sugarcubes, released on 20 September 1989 through Elektra Records. A version of the album sung in Icelandic titled Illur Arfur! was released as well, with the same English track listing, under the name of Sykurmolarnir. The album reached number 70 on the US Billboard 200, number 15 on the UK Albums Chart and number one on the UK Indie Albums chart. The album was not as well received by critics as their critically acclaimed debut album, Life's Too Good, and was criticized for Einar's greater vocal contribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Einar Örn Benediktsson</span> Icelandic musician

Einar Örn Benediktsson, often billed as Einar Örn, is an Icelandic popular music singer and trumpet player. He was a member of the Sugarcubes. He served as a member of the Reykjavík City Council between 2010 and 2014.

Spiderleg Records was an independent record label founded by UK anarcho-punk band Flux of Pink Indians in 1981.

<i>Lifes Too Good</i> 1988 studio album by the Sugarcubes

Life's Too Good is the debut studio album by Icelandic alternative rock group the Sugarcubes. It was released April 25, 1988 by One Little Indian in the UK and Europe and in May 1988 by Elektra Records in the US. The album was an unexpected success and brought international attention for the band, especially to lead singer Björk, who would launch a successful solo career in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flux of Pink Indians</span> English punk rock band

Flux of Pink Indians was an English punk rock band from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, active between 1980 and 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Taste (record label)</span> Icelandic record label

Bad Taste is an Icelandic independent record label located in Reykjavík, that also publishes poetry books, short films, greeting cards and Icelandic gifts. It is home to The Sugarcubes.

Guðlaugur Kristinn Óttarsson is an Icelandic musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kukl (band)</span> Icelandic post-punk group, active 1983–1986

Kukl was an Icelandic post-punk group in the 1980s, most notable for being one of Björk's first bands.

<i>The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks</i> 1984 studio album by Flux of Pink Indians

The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks is an album by English anarcho-punk band Flux of Pink Indians. It was released as a double album on the band's own Spiderleg Records in 1984 as the follow-up to their debut, Strive to Survive Causing Least Suffering Possible.

<i>Hempton Manor</i> 1996 studio album by The Shamen

Hempton Manor is the sixth studio album by The Shamen, released in September 1996. Hempton Manor is inspired by and dedicated to hemp and featured a liner printed on hemp-based paper. "Hempton Manor" hybridizes tripped out techno, spacey dub and frenetic drum and bass styles. The decision to make it an entirely instrumental album was a deliberate ploy to break from their record label, One Little Indian. It is alleged to have been recorded in seven days to conclude the recording contract with One Little Indian, and the first letters of each track form an acrostic spelling out "Fuck Birket", referring to label founder Derek Birkett, who wanted the group to move back into more commercial territory.

Instigators were an anarcho-punk band from Dewsbury, England, formed in 1980. The original line-up split up in the mid-1980s, but the band carried on into the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Björk</span> Icelandic singer (born 1965)

Björk Guðmundsdóttir is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct voice, three-octave vocal range, and sometimes eccentric public persona, she has developed an eclectic musical style over a career spanning four decades, drawing on electronica, pop, dance, trip hop, jazz, and avant-garde music. Regarded as the "Queen of Experimental Pop," Björk is one of the most influential pioneers in electronic and experimental music.

Liam Coverdale Howe is an English record producer, musician and songwriter. Since co-founding electronic music band Sneaker Pimps in 1996, he has been a producer for Lana Del Rey, Marina and the Diamonds, FKA Twigs, Ellie Goulding, and Tom Vek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarasara</span> Musical artist

Sarasara, is a French singer, songwriter, electronic musician and record producer. Born in Fourmies, Nord, she began her music career in 2014. Following the success of her self-released David Bowie cover "Heroes", Sarasara moved to the UK to work on her first extended play (EP) in collaboration with Matthew Herbert. The EP drew the attention of Björk's label One Little Indian, who signed Sarasara in January 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 "Lady Antebellum: US band change name to Lady A over slave-era links". BBC News . 11 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Interview: One Little Indian". Amazing Radio . 9 September 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 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.
  4. "7 secret codes and ciphers hidden in music - BBC Music". www.bbc.co.uk. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  5. "Record label One Little Indian scraps name". BBC News. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  6. Hatfield, Amanda (10 June 2020). "One Little Indian changes "offensive" name to One Little Independent Records". Brooklyn Vegan . Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. Oliver, Will (23 October 2022). "Arny Margret - "whatever it means"". We All Want Someone To Shout For. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 Hobbs, Matt (27 November 2014). "Ásgeir at Shepherd's Bush Empire". The Upcoming. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  9. 1 2 Joyce, Colin (13 October 2015). "Olga Bell Surveys Emotional Wreckage on 'Rubbernecker'". Spin . Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  10. 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.
  11. Ehrat, Noemi (24 July 2018). "19-Year Old Gabríel Ólafs Signs With One Little Indian" . Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  12. 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.
  13. Hasty, Katie (20 May 2010). "Song Of The Day: Kathryn Williams gives a 'Little Lesson' for our love". HitFix . Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  14. "Home town gig for folk siblings". Whitby Gazette . 25 February 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  15. Lester, Paul (26 September 2016). "New band of the week: Sarasara (No 121) – gorgeous but outlandish glitchy pop".
  16. Turauskis, Maria (28 October 2010). "Wild Palms Interview". More Than the Music. Retrieved 11 November 2015.