Beggars Group
4AD
Beggars
Beggars US
Mantra
Matador
Mo'Wax
Too Pure
WIIIJA
XL

The Beggars Group is one of the most famous independent record labels, founded by London record shop owner Martin Mills in the early seventies.

Over the years the group has launched new labels with different artistic aims, and absorbed fellow independents like Mo' Wax and Matador. The result is an impressive group of labels who, despite their many successes, seem to remain committed to finding and releasing exciting new music. Although primarily a UK based operation, different Beggars imprints have operations around the world, with a specific Beggars US imprint in North America.

XL Recordings, probably the most successful of the Beggars Group labels in recent years, operates with increasing autonomy and has launched its own 'imprints'.

Bella Union

In 1997, The Cocteau Twins set up Bella Union with the idea of using it to release their own music and collaborations.

However, the band split up shortly after the label was formed, but Simon Reynolds and Robin Guthrie from the band decided to continue as a label, despite having little experience. It soon became a place where artists could develop without interference. They had early success with the Dirty Three before diversifying the roster with hip-hop and beats artists like Kid Loco and Meat Beat Manifesto.

Current artists include international acts such as Explosions In The Sky, The Dears, Fionn Regan and The Kissaway Trail.

B-unique

B-unique was formed in 2001 by Mark Lewis and Martin Toher, both former employees of major labels.

In 2002 their first gold release was the eponymous Aqualung album, while they also had early success with Har Mar Superstar and Hot Hot Heat.

They also licensed several artists from US label Vagrant for release in the UK, including Alkaline Trio and Rocket From The Crypt. 2003 led to the signing of The Ordinary Boys who had a string of hit singles and allowed the label to sign the Kaiser Chiefs, who brought them even more success.

Key artists currently on the label include recent signings Primal Scream, as well as The Automatic and The Twang.

Chemikal

Chemikal Underground was set up in 1994 by The Delgados as a way to release their debut single, but has since grown to be one of the most influential independent labels in Britain. Formed and based in Glasgow, the label has outlived the band and gone on to release debut albums from the likes of Arab Strap and Mogwai.

It was the huge success of The Secret Vampire Soundtrack EP by Bis that allowed the label to expand, after it earnt the band a spot on 'Top Of The Pops' and became the label's only Top 40 hit.

In 2000, Chemikal Underground launched the Fukd ID imprint to release limited edition singles by bands that were not necessarily part of their roster or genre-base, such as Interpol.

Current artists include the solo offerings of former Arab Strap members Malcolm Middleton and Aidan John Moffat.

Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl USA

Martin Goldschmidt and Pete Lawrence founded Cooking Vinyl in 1986, originally as a part-time operation run out of a spare room.

In their first year, a recording of Michelle Shocked at a festival made on a cassette machine with fading batteries went on to sell a quarter of a million copies worldwide as 'The Campfire Tapes'. From their folk roots, the label has diversified to work with many artists who are not necessarily stuck in a particular genre.

Artists include The Prodigy, Billy Bragg, Echo & The Bunnymen, Ryan Adams, Killing Joke and The Buzzcocks.

Domino Records is an increasingly important independent label thanks to the recent mainstream success of artists like Franz Ferdinand and The Arctic Monkeys.

Founded by Laurence Bell and Jacqui Rice in 1993, Domino has long invested in a wide and eclectic mix of artists, some with mainstream potential, others very much aimed at a niche audience.

Domino has launched a number of imprints over the years, the main one currently being Geographic Music. Although primarily based in London, Domino also has a New York based US division.

Created by the Chrysalis Group in 1994, but not to be confused with Chrysalis Records (which Chrysalis Group sold to EMI in 1991), Echo Records was originally founded as a fully fledge indie that discovered and signed many now critically acclaimed music acts, such as Feeder, Morcheeba, and Moloko.

More recently Echo has been positioned as an 'incubator label' for its sister music publishing company, Chrysalis Music, helping bands develop a fanbase, get media coverage and then assisting them with getting a recording contract with another label.

That said, they continue to work with some of their original and more established signings.

Fantastic Plastic was founded by Darrin Robson, who initially sold records to his classmates in his Irish schoolyard before opening his own record shop, out of which the label grew.

He started releasing limited edition vinyl EPs by bands that he loved, starting with The Sultans Of Ping FC, before moving through Television Personalities, Ash and The Wannadies.

As the label became more successful it relocated to London and became a full time concern. The first album signing was Astrid whose debut was produced by Edwyn Collins. Fantastic Plastic recently celebrated their 100th release.

Other artists who have had releases on Fantastic Plastic include Guillemots, The Futureheads, Kubichek! and Ikara Colt.

Fierce Panda
Rabid Badger
Livid Merkat

Fierce Panda was founded in 1994 without any real plan for longevity. Their first EP was 'Shagging In The Streets', a compilation of various members of the scene then known as The New Wave Of New Wave. Despite the lack of plans, the label released several more vinyl EPs in its first year from the likes of Supergrass, Ash, The Bluetones and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci.

Initially concentrating entirely on single releases, the label launched the careers of Placebo, Embrace, Kenickie, Three Colours Red and Idlewild, amongst others. In 1997, the Rabid Badger sub label was introduced for dance releases and the following year Livid Meerkat was formed for post rock outings. In 1999, Fierce Panda entered a joint venture with Mushroom Records, a worldwide deal that lasted until 2001.

At this point they also began releasing albums, although their tradition of one-off singles continued, with the likes of Coldplay, Keane, The Polyphonic Spree and Six By Seven all contributing. In 2006, however, they announced that they would no longer continue with the single release thing, instead concentrating on the longer-term artist projects.

Their best selling single was Art Brut's 'Modern Art' which reached number 41 in the charts, missing the top 40 by two sales, and they also hold the record for the highest charting interview single, 'Wibbling Rivalry', a recording of Oasis' Noel and Liam Gallagher having an argument, which reached number 52 in 1995.

Current Artists include ShitDisco, The Raveonettes and You Say Party! We Say Die!.

Finger Lickin'
Nut (White)
Pirate Breaks

Finger Lickin' is a leading breaks label, set up in 1998 by Justin Rushmore and Jem Parufnik.

They are based at Vinyl Addiction/Bar Vinyl in Camden, which is a mix of record shop, DJ bar and cafe, as well as offices for the label. Leading DJs around the world play Finger Lickin’ records and their main artists are considered top performers in the breakbeat genre.

Artists include Plump DJs, Rushmore and Parufnik's own Soul of Man, Krafty Kuts and A Skillz.

Jamaican/Reggae music label Greensleeves began as a record shop in West Ealing in 1975. After moving to Shepherds Bush in 1997, the label was formed, which now has its base in Isleworth, Middlesex with a sales and promotion office in New York City.

Most well-known reggae artists have been involved with Greensleeves at some point in their career, and their sister company Greensleeves Publishing holds the largest catalogue of reggae songs in the the world.

Some better known artists involved with the label over the years include Beenie Man, Red Rat, Shabba Ranks and Shaggy.

Greensleeves was bought by music investment firm Zest in 2006, and was sold to New York-based reggae label VP Records in 2008.

Jeepster formed in 1995 and quickly established a particular indie sound. Their initial signing Belle & Sebastian being a good indicator to the sort of artists they would develop. Early on the likes of Salako, Looper and The Gentle Waves all continued a lo-fi indie feel and had some success.

By 2002 the label was finding things difficult commercially, reduced its size and stopped signing new acts. Using the back catalogue to release compilations from their two main acts - Belle & Sebastian and Snow Patrol - they got back into a position to fund new artists and signed SixNationState and Parka last year.

Ministry of Sound
2M
Altura Music
Data Records
F3 Recordings
Frisky? Records
FSUK
Hard2Beat Records
Hed Kandi Records
Ministry Of Sound (Australia)
Ministry Of Sound (Germany)
Ministry Of Sound (Spain)
Open
Ride Recordings
Rulin Records
Smoove Records
Sound Of Ministry
Sport
Substance Records
Sumo Records
TimewaveVoidcom

Ministry Of Sound records was created as a spin off from the popular nightclub. It releases mainly commercial dance records spanning the trance and house genres and has some of the most successful compilation series on the market such as The Annual, Club Nation, Clubbers Guide and Anthems.

In 2006 the label bought Hed Kandi into the fold and continues to expand that brand. There are numerous sub labels attached to Ministry, not least the Australian, German and Spanish MOS labels as well as Substance, FSUK, Data and Sumo Records.

Artists releasing their own tracks on the label include Bent, Snap! and Booty Luv.

Ninja Tune
Big Dada

Matt Black and Jonathan More, otherwise known as Coldcut, started Ninja Tune in 1991. Based in London they specialise in underground electronic, drum and bass and chillout music. As a spin off, sister imprint Big Dada specialises in hip hop. They grew in reputation very quickly, with a number of different sounding but all highly interesting artists adding to the crossover potential.

Artists on the label include DJ Vadim, Amon Tobin, DJ Food, Hexstatic, The Herbaliser, Bonobo, Kid Koala, Mr Scruff and, of course, Coldcut. Big Dada boasts cLOUDDEAD, Roots Manuva and Diplo, amongst others.

Perfecto Records was founded in 1989, by trance DJ and then Champion Records A&R man Paul Oakenfold. At the time house music and the Balearic style were beginning to break into the mainstream music charts. Oakenfold decided to apply his A&R skills to the burgeoning electronic music scene and wanted to create a place where these new artists could develop their skills.

The label's selection of artists include the likes of BT, Grace, PPK, Jan Johnston, Hernan Cattaneo, Carl Cox, Timo Maas, and Sandra Collins.

PIAS Wall Of Sound was created by the merger of PIAS and Wall Of Sound in early 2006.

PIAS, or Play It Again Sam, began life as a record shop in Brussels in the early 80s. Its founders, Kenny Gates and Michael Lambot, developed PIAS into a pan-European music company, with a number of record labels and a music distribution company (the latter later merged with Vital). They also ran a US division for a time.

London based dance independent Wall Of Sound was founded by Mark Jones and Marc Lessner in the mid-eighties, who signed a string of great dance and electronic artists over the following two decades, enjoying most high profile success with The Propellerheads.

PIAS Wall Of Sound, now known simply as Wall Of Sound in the UK, and as [PIAS] elsewhere, brought together the imprints and rosters of both UK labels, as well as acting as a UK outlet for artists signed to other PIAS labels elsewhere in Europe.

Founded by London record shop owner Geoff Travis in 1978, Rough Trade have a long reputation for signing and working with important independent artists, from Britain and beyond, having worked with the likes of Cabaret Voltaire, The Fall, Aztec Camera, Scritti Politti, The Go-Betweens, James and, most famously, The Smiths.

There were various changes in ownership and periods of none-activity in the 90s, but the label had a renaissance a few years back after Geoff Travis took back control, and achieved considerable success with the likes of The Strokes and The Libertines.

Rough Trade is now half owned by the Beggars Group, and therefore could be considered to be part of that Group.

Rough Trade the record label has been independent from the London based Rough Trade record shops since 1982, though they still share a proudly independent ethos, and a logo.

Rough Trade the label also runs artist and producer management companies.

Originally named Lumberjack Records, Saddle Creek Records was founded in 1993 by Mike Moggis and Robb Nansel in their native Omaha, Nebraska. Moggis left the label to go into recording and production in 1998 and was replaced by Justin Oberst (brother of Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst).

The label is named after Saddle Creek Road, a street in Omaha where the beginnings of a music style dubbed 'The Omaha Sound' can be traced back to and which Saddle Creek Records remains a flagship label for.

Although this sound is very folk influenced, a number of Saddle Creek's bands, such as The Faint and Broken Spindles, play electronic-based music.

Key acts include Bright Eyes, The Faint, Azure Ray and The Good Life.

Skint was founded in 1995 in Brighton by Damian Harris as a subsidiary of JC Reid and Tim Jeffery's Loaded Records.

They were a main player in the big-beat dance phenomenon in the late 1990s with their roster of bands and DJ's including Bentley Rhythm Ace, the Lo Fidelity All-stars and Norman Cook, who became the label's most successful artist in the guise of Fatboy Slim.

Currently their roster includes Goose, X-Press 2 and Harris' own act Midfield General.

Soma Quality Recordings
Fenetik Music
Fifth Freedom
Pnuma

More commonly known as Soma Records, Soma Quality Recordings is a Scottish techno, house and electronica label co-founded in 1991 by Stuart MacMillan and Orde Meikle of electronic music duo Slam, with friends Glenn Gibbons, Jim Moutune and now label boss Dave Clarke.

Almost 17 years into its life Soma has a reputation as one of the world's leading electronic dance music labels, particularly known for releasing the first tracks from Daft Punk's 1997 album 'Homework'.

Key artists include Slam, German electro producer Vector Lovers (Martin Wheeler), Funk D'vold, H-Foundation and Percy X.

Son Records was set up in 1998 by Ninja Tune employee Alistair Nicholson to provide an outlet for the freshest hip hop coming out the UK, whether by established names or, more often than not, new up-and-coming talent.

The label aims for "integrity and intelligence" in their releases. In their own words: "We are committed to bringing you the best of homegrown hip hop, boosting the pick of new UK talent, and mixing it up with some veterans of the British scene".

With over 40 releases to date, Son has put out debut releases from new hip hop artists, including C-Mone, Cappo, DPF, Pitman, Styly Cee and Wordsmith, alongside releases from established acts such as Def Tex, HKB Finn and Mad Doctor X.

Studio !K7, or simply !K7, is a dance music label founded in Berlin but now with representation in London as well as New York, Hamburg and Tokyo.

In 1995 they launched the DJ-Kicks compilation series, one of the first ever regular mix-album series. The following year their !K7 Records label started releasing artist records, and has since gone on to work with some very high profile international acts.

In 2001 they also started a new soul and hip hop imprint, Rapster Records, and have since launched other imprints, including Ever Records.

Artists on !K7 include Kruder & Dorfmeister, A Guy Called Gerald, Rae & Christian, Earl Zinger and Matthew Herbert, while Rapster has the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Roy Ayres and Princess Superstar on its roster.

Founded in 1997 by British club-scene DJ and now Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, Sunday Best was originally a club night held in London's Tearooms des Artistes from early 1995. In its early days the label was best known for releasing groundbreaking eclectic compilations that introduced artists such as Groove Armada, Lemon Jelly and Bent.

From 2002, Sunday Best's line up has expanded significantly to feature an eclectic mix of talented artists across a huge selection of genres, including The Cuban Brothers, Grand National, Lazyboy, Plastic Operator, Kish Mauve and Dub Pistols.

As well as this, Sunday Best now runs its own yearly, late summer music festival 'Bestival' on the Isle of Wight.

Based in Oxford, Truck was founded by members of the band Goldrush, a year after the festival of the same name. Bands the label has worked with include Electric Soft Parade, Piney Gir and Goldrush themselves, while recent signings include Danny And The Champions Of The World.

As well as the festival and label, Truck also now operates the Truck Foundation, an organisation that, among other things, encourages children and their families to be creative, and to develop creative skills and ideas.

Founded by Tony Brummel and based in Chicago, Victory Records specialise in punk, metal and emo, and have several imprint labels as well as a publishing wing called Another Victory Publishing.

They initially concentrated on punk and hardcore releases, working with bands like Bad Brains and Earth Crisis, but have since diversified, with some artists having a more poppy feel, such as Taking Back Sunday.

Brummel is a proudly independent label man, though in 2002 he did announce that Universal Music would take a 25% stake in the company. That deal, however, later fell through.

Both Brummel and the label have been in the news over the years for other deals going sour. In 2002 one of their most successful bands, Thursday, moved to Universal's Island Records and questioned the business practices of the label.

Later, in 2006, Hawthorne Heights (who gave the label its first platinum record with 'The Silence In Black And White') sued Victory for breach of contract, copyright and trademark infringement, fraud and abuse. The label countersued claiming the band were simply trying to get out of their record deal so they could sign to EMI's Virgin Records. The legal battle is ongoing.

Known for releasing experimental electronic music, Warp (Weird And Radical Projects) Records was founded in Sheffield in 1989 by Steve Beckett, Rob Mitchell and Robert Gordon.

Beckett and Mitchell worked together in a record shop where they regularly received acid house white labels and decided to release some of them. Gordon was a producer who was involved in recording some of their earlier tracks. Their first big success came with the eponymously-titled LFO single, which reached the top 20, selling over 120,000 copies.

In 1991, Gordon left somewhat acrimoniously, but the label continued its successes with releases by artists such as Aphex Twin, Autechre and Richie Hawtin. Since then, they have diversified, taking on the likes of hip-hoppers Antipop Consortium as well as indie rock band Maximo Park, although primarily they still concentrate on electronica.

Sadly, Rob Mitchell died of cancer in 2001, but the label has continued to expand, launching Warp Films in 2003. Warp also has its own download service Bleep.com which sells high quality (320kps) MP3s, including exclusive tracks and rarities.

Key artists include LFO, Nightmares On Wax, Aphex Twin, Autechre, Battles, Boards Of Canada, Squarepusher, Prefuse 73, Broadcast, !!! and Two Lone Swordsmen.