Warp Records
Encyclopedia
Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British
record label
, founded in Sheffield
in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music
.
Founded by Steve Beckett and the late Rob Mitchell from their experiences working at the FON record store, alongside record producer
Robert Gordon, the label (whose name was chosen because the original name, 'Warped Records' was difficult to distinguish over the telephone) soon became home to artists who would be influential in electronic music.
). The follow-up was Nightmares on Wax
's "Dextrous", which sold around 30,000 copies. This led to greater commercial success; by its fifth release the label had its first Top 20 chart
entry with LFO and their eponymous single
, "LFO", which sold 130,000 copies and peaked at #12 in the UK Singles Chart
in July 1990; by coincidence, that same month another Warp act, Tricky Disco, reached #14 in the UK chart with another eponymous single, "Tricky Disco".
Warp's third record, "Testone
" (1990) by Sweet Exorcist (Richard H. Kirk
and Richard Barratt
), defined Sheffield's bleep techno sound, by making playful use of sampled
sounds from Yellow Magic Orchestra
's "Computer Game" (1978) and the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind
(1977). The first album released was Sweet Exorcist
's C.C.E.P. in 1991. In the same year Robert Gordon left Warp acrimoniously.
Warp went on to release a series of singles and albums from 1992 under the Artificial Intelligence
heading, a series of experimental electronic music releases by artists such as Aphex Twin
(as Diceman and later Polygon Window), Autechre
, B12
, the Black Dog
, Richie Hawtin
and Alex Paterson (of The Orb
). Initially all the album releases were gatefold sleeves and coloured vinyl, often with covers by The Designers Republic
or Phil Wolstenholme. A VHS
compilation of digitally animated
music videos called Motion was released in conjunction with the second Artificial Intelligence compilation, and featured an early work by director
David Slade
.
Since then the label has evolved, and later artists were a similarly eclectic group, and included the DJ
Andrew Weatherall
(as Sabres of Paradise and later as Two Lone Swordsmen
), Red Snapper
and Antipop Consortium
.
In 1999, the label released Warp 10: Influences, Classics, Remixes
, a compilation
spanning six discs, featuring early acid house
and techno music that influenced the label and its artists, as well as tracks from Warp's back catalog, and new remix
es of Warp material. The collection celebrated the label's tenth anniversary.
In 2000, the label moved its operation to London
along with its physical music and merchandise store Warpmart.
Co-founder Rob Mitchell was diagnosed with cancer in early 2001. He died later that year.
In January 2004, Warp launched an online digital music store, Bleep
, notable for being among the few stores to completely avoid all digital rights management
features in the downloadable tracks, unlike other music stores such as iTunes and Rhapsody
.
On 27 September 2004, Warp released its second music video
compilation, named WarpVision
, featuring most of the videos produced from 1989 to 2004.
2005 saw the release of Warp, the first book in the Labels Unlimited
series. Written by Rob Young, the book gave an illustrated history of the label, as well as offering a complete discography
. The Warp website said the book was “A very beautiful thing and like our very own This Is Your Life
".
The label more recently began to expand outside of electronica by signing indie rock bands such as !!!
, Battles
, Born Ruffians
, Maxïmo Park
, Gravenhurst
and Grizzly Bear
.
For the label's 20th anniversary in 2009, several Warp20 concerts took place in Paris, New York City, Sheffield, Tokyo, Berlin and London.
In addition, Warp has set up a film company, Warp Films
, as well as digital download store Bleep
which carries music from a number of smaller labels as well as Warp. In 2009 Warpmart was incorporated into Bleep, which now sells downloads, physical releases and merchandise from hundreds of record labels.
Warp Records albums
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, founded in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
.
Founded by Steve Beckett and the late Rob Mitchell from their experiences working at the FON record store, alongside record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Robert Gordon, the label (whose name was chosen because the original name, 'Warped Records' was difficult to distinguish over the telephone) soon became home to artists who would be influential in electronic music.
History
The first release (WAP1) was by Forgemasters (produced by Robert Gordon), whose limited 500 copy pressing of "Track With No Name" was financed by an Enterprise Allowance grant and distributed in a borrowed car. It set a trend for the early releases both in terms of sound, and the use of purple sleeves (designed by The Designers RepublicThe Designers Republic
The Designers Republic was a graphic design studio, founded on 14 July 1986 by Ian Anderson, and based in Sheffield, England. It was known for its anti-establishment aesthetics, while simultaneously embracing brash consumerism and the uniform style of corporate brands, such as Orange and Coca-Cola...
). The follow-up was Nightmares on Wax
Nightmares on Wax
George Evelyn, better known as Nightmares on Wax and also known as DJ EASE , is a DJ from Leeds, UK. His music is released on Warp Records and was one of the first releases on the label. Evelyn got his start in the music industry through an interest in hip hop and on joining a local breakdancing crew...
's "Dextrous", which sold around 30,000 copies. This led to greater commercial success; by its fifth release the label had its first Top 20 chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
entry with LFO and their eponymous single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "LFO", which sold 130,000 copies and peaked at #12 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in July 1990; by coincidence, that same month another Warp act, Tricky Disco, reached #14 in the UK chart with another eponymous single, "Tricky Disco".
Warp's third record, "Testone
WarpVision
WarpVision: The Videos 1989-2004 is a DVD released by British record label Warp Records on September 27, 2004, which features most of the music videos produced for their artists in the 1989-2004 period...
" (1990) by Sweet Exorcist (Richard H. Kirk
Richard H. Kirk
Richard H. Kirk is an English musician specialising in electronic music since the 1970s.-Background:Richard H. Kirk first came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the seminal industrial band Cabaret Voltaire...
and Richard Barratt
All Seeing I
The All Seeing I is an English electronic music group from Sheffield, comprising Dean Honer, Jason Buckle and DJ Parrot...
), defined Sheffield's bleep techno sound, by making playful use of sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
sounds from Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Sakamoto first worked with Hosono as a member of his live band in 1976, while Takahashi recruited Sakamoto to produce his debut solo recording in 1977 following the split of the Sadistic Mika Band...
's "Computer Game" (1978) and the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, and Cary Guffey...
(1977). The first album released was Sweet Exorcist
Richard H. Kirk
Richard H. Kirk is an English musician specialising in electronic music since the 1970s.-Background:Richard H. Kirk first came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the seminal industrial band Cabaret Voltaire...
's C.C.E.P. in 1991. In the same year Robert Gordon left Warp acrimoniously.
Warp went on to release a series of singles and albums from 1992 under the Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (series)
Artificial Intelligence is a series of albums by Warp Records released from 1992–1994 to exhibit the capabilities and sounds of electronic music. Warp described the new music as "electronic listening music" to clarify that it was meant more for the mind than the body...
heading, a series of experimental electronic music releases by artists such as Aphex Twin
Aphex Twin
Richard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
(as Diceman and later Polygon Window), Autechre
Autechre
Autechre are an English electronic music duo consisting of Rob Brown and Sean Booth, both natives of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1987, they are one of the most prominent acts signed to Warp Records, a label known for its pioneering electronic music and through which all Autechre albums...
, B12
B12 (band)
B12 are a British electronic music duo consisting of Mike Golding and Steve Rutter. First appearing in the early 1990s under a variety of monikers, including Musicology, Redcell and Cmetric, the duo were often mistaken as hailing from Detroit, their sound being comparable to the so-called second...
, the Black Dog
Black Dog Productions
The Black Dog was founded by Ken Downie along with Ed Handley and Andy Turner. Widely regarded as legends, the group are pioneers who, along with acts like Autechre, Aphex Twin, µ-ziq and LFO, came to define the techno movement known as intelligent dance music in the early 1990s.-Early career:In...
, Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin
Richard Hawtin is an English-Canadian electronic musician and DJ who was an influential part of Detroit techno's second wave of artists in the early 1990s and a leading exponent of Minimal techno since the mid 1990s...
and Alex Paterson (of The Orb
The Orb
Throughout 1989, the Orb, along with Martin Glover, developed the musical genre of ambient house through the use of a diverse array of samples and recordings. The culmination of its musical work came toward the end of the year when the group recorded a session for John Peel on BBC Radio 1...
). Initially all the album releases were gatefold sleeves and coloured vinyl, often with covers by The Designers Republic
The Designers Republic
The Designers Republic was a graphic design studio, founded on 14 July 1986 by Ian Anderson, and based in Sheffield, England. It was known for its anti-establishment aesthetics, while simultaneously embracing brash consumerism and the uniform style of corporate brands, such as Orange and Coca-Cola...
or Phil Wolstenholme. A VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
compilation of digitally animated
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
music videos called Motion was released in conjunction with the second Artificial Intelligence compilation, and featured an early work by director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
David Slade
David Slade
David Aldrin Slade is a British film director who began his career making music videos. His work includes videos for artists such as Aphex Twin, Rob Dougan, System of a Down, Stone Temple Pilots, Tori Amos, and Muse.-Life and career:...
.
Since then the label has evolved, and later artists were a similarly eclectic group, and included the DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Andrew Weatherall
Andrew Weatherall
Andrew Weatherall is a DJ, producer, and remixer.Andrew, Terry Farley, Cymon Eckel and Steve Mayes started Boy's Own initially as a fanzine commenting on fashion, records, football, and other issues...
(as Sabres of Paradise and later as Two Lone Swordsmen
Two Lone Swordsmen
The Two Lone Swordsmen are British house DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall and studio engineer Keith Tenniswood. Formed in early 1996, following the dissolution of Weatherall's influential Sabres of Paradise techno act, the Swordsmen have explored a variety of styles, from electro and 4/4 techno to...
), Red Snapper
Red Snapper (band)
Red Snapper are a British instrumental band founded in London in 1993 by Ali Friend , Richard Thair , and David Ayers . The three core members are also joined by various guest musicians and vocalists on different records...
and Antipop Consortium
Antipop Consortium
Antipop Consortium are an American alternative hip hop group. The group formed in 1997, when Beans, High Priest, M. Sayyid and producer Earl Blaize met at a poetry slam in New York City...
.
In 1999, the label released Warp 10: Influences, Classics, Remixes
Warp 10: Influences, Classics, Remixes
Warp 10 is a series of compilation albums issued by Warp Records in 1999 to celebrate the label's tenth anniversary. The collection spans three double CD/quadruple vinyl sets, which can be purchased individually...
, a compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
spanning six discs, featuring early acid house
Acid house
Acid house is a sub-genre of house music that emphasizes a repetitive, hypnotic and trance-like style, often with samples or spoken lines rather than sung lyrics. Acid house's core electronic squelch sounds were developed around the mid-1980s, particularly by DJs from Chicago who experimented with...
and techno music that influenced the label and its artists, as well as tracks from Warp's back catalog, and new remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es of Warp material. The collection celebrated the label's tenth anniversary.
In 2000, the label moved its operation to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
along with its physical music and merchandise store Warpmart.
Co-founder Rob Mitchell was diagnosed with cancer in early 2001. He died later that year.
In January 2004, Warp launched an online digital music store, Bleep
Bleep.com
Bleep is an online music store focusing on the independent music sector. Created by Warp Records and launched in January 2004, Bleep was one of the UK's first legal music download businesses and the only one to originate from within the music industry...
, notable for being among the few stores to completely avoid all digital rights management
Digital rights management
Digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
features in the downloadable tracks, unlike other music stores such as iTunes and Rhapsody
Rhapsody (online music service)
Rhapsody is an online music store subscription service, launched in December 2001, and available in the United States only. On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody officially declared its independence from RealNetworks. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Helix, Rhapsody's version...
.
On 27 September 2004, Warp released its second music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
compilation, named WarpVision
WarpVision
WarpVision: The Videos 1989-2004 is a DVD released by British record label Warp Records on September 27, 2004, which features most of the music videos produced for their artists in the 1989-2004 period...
, featuring most of the videos produced from 1989 to 2004.
2005 saw the release of Warp, the first book in the Labels Unlimited
Labels Unlimited
Labels Unlimited is a series of books designed to give an illustrated overview of influential record labels.- Publications :*Warp by Rob Young...
series. Written by Rob Young, the book gave an illustrated history of the label, as well as offering a complete discography
Discography
Discography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
. The Warp website said the book was “A very beautiful thing and like our very own This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
".
The label more recently began to expand outside of electronica by signing indie rock bands such as !!!
!!!
!!! is a dance-punk band that formed in Sacramento, California, in 1996. Members of !!! came from other local bands such as The Yah Mos, Black Liquorice and Popesmashers...
, Battles
Battles (band)
Battles is an American experimental rock group, founded in 2002 in New York City, comprising guitarists Ian Williams and Dave Konopka , and drummer John Stanier .-Biography:...
, Born Ruffians
Born Ruffians
Born Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2004, originally from Midland, Ontario, located near Georgian Bay. They are currently signed to Warp Records. The members are Luke Lalonde , Mitch Derosier and Steven Hamelin...
, Maxïmo Park
Maxïmo Park
Maxïmo Park are a British alternative rock band, formed in 2000. They are signed to Warp Records. The band consists of Paul Smith , Duncan Lloyd , Archis Tiku , Lukas Wooller and Tom English...
, Gravenhurst
Gravenhurst (band)
Gravenhurst is a vehicle for the music of the singer-songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, Nick Talbot, who lives in Bristol, England and is signed to Warp Records.-History:...
and Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear (band)
Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
.
For the label's 20th anniversary in 2009, several Warp20 concerts took place in Paris, New York City, Sheffield, Tokyo, Berlin and London.
Artists past and present
- !!!!!!!!! is a dance-punk band that formed in Sacramento, California, in 1996. Members of !!! came from other local bands such as The Yah Mos, Black Liquorice and Popesmashers...
- Africa HitechAfrica HitechAfrica Hitech is an electronic music project by Mark Pritchard and Steve Spacek. They released their first EP, Hitecherous, on 28 June 2010 and debut album 93 Million Miles on May 16, 2011...
- Alexander's Annexe
- Anti-Pop Consortium
- Aphex TwinAphex TwinRichard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
- AutechreAutechreAutechre are an English electronic music duo consisting of Rob Brown and Sean Booth, both natives of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1987, they are one of the most prominent acts signed to Warp Records, a label known for its pioneering electronic music and through which all Autechre albums...
- B12B12 (band)B12 are a British electronic music duo consisting of Mike Golding and Steve Rutter. First appearing in the early 1990s under a variety of monikers, including Musicology, Redcell and Cmetric, the duo were often mistaken as hailing from Detroit, their sound being comparable to the so-called second...
- Babe RainbowBabe RainbowBabe Rainbow is the third album by British alternative rock band The House of Love.-Background:Babe Rainbow is the only House of Love studio album to feature Simon Walker...
- Baledo
- BattlesBattles (band)Battles is an American experimental rock group, founded in 2002 in New York City, comprising guitarists Ian Williams and Dave Konopka , and drummer John Stanier .-Biography:...
- BeansBeans (rapper)Beans hails from White Plains; a suburb of New York City. He is one of the founding members of New York's legendary Antipop Consortium, who disbanded in 2002 but have since reformed: new material was released in the form of the group's 2009 album Fluorescent Black on Big Dada Records.With his...
- BibioBibioStephen Wilkinson, better known as Bibio, is a British music producer. His music is primarily electronic and experimental in nature. He currently releases music on the Warp Records label, and previously on Mush Records.-Biographical information:...
- Black Dog ProductionsBlack Dog ProductionsThe Black Dog was founded by Ken Downie along with Ed Handley and Andy Turner. Widely regarded as legends, the group are pioneers who, along with acts like Autechre, Aphex Twin, µ-ziq and LFO, came to define the techno movement known as intelligent dance music in the early 1990s.-Early career:In...
- Boards of CanadaBoards of CanadaBoards of Canada are a Scottish electronic music duo consisting of brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin...
- Born RuffiansBorn RuffiansBorn Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2004, originally from Midland, Ontario, located near Georgian Bay. They are currently signed to Warp Records. The members are Luke Lalonde , Mitch Derosier and Steven Hamelin...
- Tyondai BraxtonTyondai BraxtonTyondai Braxton is an American composer and performer, largely known as the former guitarist/singer of Battles, and as a prominently featured artist on record label Warp Records...
- Brian EnoBrian EnoBrian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
- BroadcastBroadcast (band)Broadcast are an electronic music band, founded in Birmingham, England. Original members were Trish Keenan , Roj Stevens , Tim Felton and James Cargill . Various drummers played with the band, including Keith York, Phil Jenkins, Jeremy Barnes, Steve Perkins, and Neil Bullock...
- BrothomstatesBrothomstatesBrothomstates is one of the stage names of Lassi Nikko, a Finnish composer and musician. He also used to produce music in the demoscene under the moniker of Dune in the demogroup Orange...
- CANTChris Taylor (Grizzly Bear musician)Chris Taylor is a multi-instrumentalist and producer best known for his role of bass player in the Brooklyn based indie folk group, Grizzly Bear.-Biography:...
- Clark
- Christoph Andersson
- Coco, Steel and Lovebomb
- Richard DevineRichard DevineRichard Devine is an Atlanta-based electronic musician. He is recognized for producing a layered and heavily processed sound, combining influences from hip-hop to old and modern electronic music. Devine largely records for the Miami-based Schematic Records, which was founded by . He has also done...
- Darkstar
- DJ MujavaDJ MujavaElvis Maswanganyi, better known as DJ Mujava, is a South African DJ.-Early life and background:He was raised in the Pretorian town of Attridgeville, where local taxi drivers distributed CDs of his music to their fares.-Career:...
- Diamond Watch Wrists
- DisjectaDisjectaDisjecta is a not-for-profit arts organization in Portland, Oregon that was founded in 2000 by Bryan Suereth. In their first location, Disjecta held over 500 shows, showingcasing 3,000 artists and hosting 30,000 patrons. In 2008 Disjecta announced the public opening of their new 16,000 sf arts...
- DRC Music
- DrexciyaDrexciyaDrexciya was an electronic music band from Detroit, Michigan. The late James Stinson was the only officially identified member of Drexciya, but it was considered an open secret that he had a partner, Gerald Donald.- Style :...
- Jimmy EdgarJimmy EdgarJimmy Edgar is a Detroit-based electronic music artist, signed to K7 Records. Influenced mostly by Jazz, funk, street beat and r&b in these early years, he began his musical pursuit by playing the drums in experimental bands and by making tape recordings...
- F.U.S.E.Richie HawtinRichard Hawtin is an English-Canadian electronic musician and DJ who was an influential part of Detroit techno's second wave of artists in the early 1990s and a leading exponent of Minimal techno since the mid 1990s...
- Flying LotusFlying LotusFlying Lotus, is an experimental multi-genre music producer from Winnetka, California. His debut album, 1983, was released on Plug Research Records in 2006...
- Gang Gang DanceGang Gang DanceGang Gang Dance is an American experimental music band based in Manhattan, New York City. The band is known for its distinctive sound which features synthesized electronics and percussion, plus the varied vocal styles of singer Lizzi Bougatsos...
- General
- GonjasufiGonjasufiGonjasufi is a rapper, singer, disc jockey and yoga teacher from San Diego, California and currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ecks was born to a Mexican mother and an American-Ethiopian father. He has been releasing music since the early 1990s among the San Diego Hip Hop scene, notably with...
- GravenhurstGravenhurst (band)Gravenhurst is a vehicle for the music of the singer-songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, Nick Talbot, who lives in Bristol, England and is signed to Warp Records.-History:...
- Grizzly BearGrizzly Bear (band)Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band, composed of Edward Droste , Daniel Rossen , Chris Taylor and Christopher Bear . The band employs traditional and electronic instruments...
- Russell HaswellRussell HaswellRussell Haswell is a multidisciplinary artist.He has exhibited conceptual and wall based visual works, video art, public sculpture, as well as audio presentations in both art gallery and concert hall contexts. Extreme Computer Music is one specialized area of activity...
- Home VideoHome Video (band)Home Video is an electronic rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The group is composed of David Gross and Collin Ruffino , with live shows featuring Jim Orso on drums.-History:...
- Hudson MohawkeHudson MohawkeHudson Mohawke, also known as Hudson Mo or HudMo, is an electronic music producer/DJ from Glasgow, Scotland, affiliated with the LuckyMe collective. He is signed to Warp Records and released his debut album on Warp, called Butter in October 2009...
- The Hundred in the HandsThe Hundred in the HandsThe Hundred in the Hands is an American electropop duo formed in 2008 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. The band consists of Eleanore Everdell and Jason Friedman...
- Ishq
- Jackson and his Computer BandJackson and his computer bandJackson and his Computer Band is the pseudonym of Parisian IDM artist Jackson Fourgeaud. Fourgeaud released his debut album Smash with Warp Records in 2005.- History :Jackson Fourgeaud began making music at the age of 15...
- John Callaghan
- Richard H. KirkRichard H. KirkRichard H. Kirk is an English musician specialising in electronic music since the 1970s.-Background:Richard H. Kirk first came to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the seminal industrial band Cabaret Voltaire...
- K-HAND
- Kenny LarkinKenny LarkinKenny Larkin is an American techno producer from Detroit. He has been described by Allmusic as "massively influential" on American, British, and German techno....
- KwesKwesKwes, officially stylized Kwes. is a British record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist musician.-Biography:Kwes was born and raised in Lewisham, South East London. He began playing his grandparents' organ at the age of four and his grandmother bought him his first small keyboard aged 5...
- LeilaLeila ArabLeila is an Iranian recording artist, producer and dj based in London.She has worked with prominent European musicians such as Björk, and has released music on Rephlex Records, XL Recordings and Warp Records....
- LFO
- Jamie LidellJamie LidellJamie Lidell is an English musician and soul singer living in Nashville, United States...
- LoneladyLoneladyJulie Campbell, otherwise known as Lonelady , is a musician from Manchester, England. Her debut album, Nerve Up, appeared on Warp Records in 2010 and drew praise from Paul Morley.-Biography:...
- Mark PritchardMark Pritchard (music producer)Mark Pritchard is an electronic music producer and DJ from Sydney, Australia. Born in Yeovil, United Kingdom, he has released music on the labels Warp Records, Hyperdub, Dedicated and Sonar Kollektiv amongst others...
/Harmonic 313 - Maxïmo ParkMaxïmo ParkMaxïmo Park are a British alternative rock band, formed in 2000. They are signed to Warp Records. The band consists of Paul Smith , Duncan Lloyd , Archis Tiku , Lukas Wooller and Tom English...
- Mira CalixMira CalixMira Calix, real name Chantal Passamonte, is an artist signed to Warp Records, specialising in mixing her intimate vocals with jittering beats and experimental electronic textures...
- Chris MorrisChris Morris (satirist)Christopher Morris is an English satirist, writer, director and actor. A former radio DJ, he is best known for anchoring the spoof news and current affairs television programmes The Day Today and Brass Eye, as well as his frequent engagement with controversial subject matter.In 2010 Morris...
- Nice Nice
- Nightmares on WaxNightmares on WaxGeorge Evelyn, better known as Nightmares on Wax and also known as DJ EASE , is a DJ from Leeds, UK. His music is released on Warp Records and was one of the first releases on the label. Evelyn got his start in the music industry through an interest in hip hop and on joining a local breakdancing crew...
- PVT
- PlaidPlaid (band)Plaid is a London-based British electronic music duo comprising Andy Turner and Ed Handley. They are former members of The Black Dog and used many other names, such as Atypic and Balil , before settling on Plaid...
- PlonePlone (band)Plone was an electronic music band from Birmingham, England.-Career:The group was created in late 1994 when Mark Cancellara and Mike Johnston started to buy old analogue keyboards and fx and began to rehearse making huge soundscapes...
- Prefuse 73/Savath and Savalas
- Red SnapperRed Snapper (band)Red Snapper are a British instrumental band founded in London in 1993 by Ali Friend , Richard Thair , and David Ayers . The three core members are also joined by various guest musicians and vocalists on different records...
- Req
- RustieRustieRustie is a Scottish electronic musician from Glasgow.Rustie's first singles were released in 2007 and 2008, and the producer signed with Warp Records in 2010 for the release of a digital EP. In October 2011 he released his debut full-length on Warp....
- Sabres of Paradise
- Jake SlazengerMike ParadinasMichael Paradinas , who works primarily under the name μ-Ziq in addition to a large number of aliases, is a British musician in the field of electronic music.-History:...
- SeefeelSeefeelSeefeel are a British electronic/post-rock band formed in the early 1990s. They are currently signed to Warp Records.-Biography:Seefeel formed during 1992 in London, England; with Mark Clifford on guitar, Mark Van Hoen on bass, Justin Fletcher on drums and Sarah Peacock on vocals and guitar. During...
- Speedy JSpeedy JSpeedy J , is a Dutch electronic music producer based in the city of Rotterdam. His breakthrough came with the release in 1992 of the minimal techno track Pullover...
- Sote
- SquarepusherSquarepusherSquarepusher is the performing pseudonym of Tom Jenkinson, an English electronic music artist signed to Warp Records. He specialises in the electronic music genres of drum and bass and acid, with a significant jazz and musique concrète influence....
- Jimi TenorJimi TenorJimi Tenor is a Finnish musician. His name is a combination of the first name of his youth idol Jimmy Osmond and the tenor saxophone. His band Jimi Tenor & His Shamans published its first album in 1988, Jimi's first solo album appeared in 1994. "Take Me Baby" became his first hit in 1994...
- Tim Exile
- Two Lone SwordsmenTwo Lone SwordsmenThe Two Lone Swordsmen are British house DJ and producer Andrew Weatherall and studio engineer Keith Tenniswood. Formed in early 1996, following the dissolution of Weatherall's influential Sabres of Paradise techno act, the Swordsmen have explored a variety of styles, from electro and 4/4 techno to...
- Luke VibertLuke VibertLuke Vibert is a British recording artist and producer known for his work in many subgenres of electronic music. Vibert began his musical career as a member of the Hate Brothers, only later branching out into his own compositions...
- V.L.A.D.
- Vincent GalloVincent GalloVincent Gallo is an Italian-American film director and actor. Though he has had minor roles in mainstream films such as Goodfellas, he is most associated with independent movies, including Buffalo '66, which he wrote, directed, did the music for and starred in; The Brown Bunny, which he also...
Sublabels
A number of sublabels have also been set up by Warp.- Gift Records
- Lex RecordsLex RecordsLex Records is an independent record label founded by Tom Brown in 2001. The label was an imprint of Warp Records and run from their North London offices, until September 2005.Lex has a low volume of releases, rarely releasing more than three albums annually...
- ArcolaArcolaArcola is an offshoot of the record label Warp Records. It was set up in late 2003, and takes its name from the Arcola Theatre, Arcola Street in Dalston, London where Warp held the launch party for the label....
In addition, Warp has set up a film company, Warp Films
Warp Films
Warp is one of the foremost and most respected creative independent companies, now composed of Warp Records, Warp Films and Warp Music Videos & Commercials. It is based in London, England and Sheffield, with a further office now in Melbourne, Australia...
, as well as digital download store Bleep
Bleep.com
Bleep is an online music store focusing on the independent music sector. Created by Warp Records and launched in January 2004, Bleep was one of the UK's first legal music download businesses and the only one to originate from within the music industry...
which carries music from a number of smaller labels as well as Warp. In 2009 Warpmart was incorporated into Bleep, which now sells downloads, physical releases and merchandise from hundreds of record labels.
Artificial Intelligence Series
- Artificial Intelligence (WARP 6, 1992)
- Polygon WindowAphex TwinRichard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
- Surfing On Sine WavesSurfing on Sine WavesSurfing on Sine Waves is an electronic music album by Polygon Window, a pseudonym for recording artist Richard D. James, better known by his other alias of Aphex Twin. The album was released on 11 January 1993 on Warp Records, and is the second in its Artificial Intelligence series...
(WARP 7, 1992) - Black Dog ProductionsBlack Dog ProductionsThe Black Dog was founded by Ken Downie along with Ed Handley and Andy Turner. Widely regarded as legends, the group are pioneers who, along with acts like Autechre, Aphex Twin, µ-ziq and LFO, came to define the techno movement known as intelligent dance music in the early 1990s.-Early career:In...
- BytesBytes (album)Bytes is an album by Ed Handley, Andy Turner and Ken Downie, under the name Black Dog Productions.-Background:The album was released in 1993 and later re-released in 2005. Today, both Ed Handley and Andy Turner form part of Plaid while Ken Downie continues to produce music under Black Dog. All...
(WARP 8, 1993) - B12B12 (band)B12 are a British electronic music duo consisting of Mike Golding and Steve Rutter. First appearing in the early 1990s under a variety of monikers, including Musicology, Redcell and Cmetric, the duo were often mistaken as hailing from Detroit, their sound being comparable to the so-called second...
- Electro-SomaElectro-SomaElectro-Soma is an album released by B12 in 1993. It was originally part of Warp's Artificial Intelligence series. The album features some tracks which had previously been released under different aliases, including Musicology, Redcell, and Cmetric...
(WARP 9, 1993) - FUSERichie HawtinRichard Hawtin is an English-Canadian electronic musician and DJ who was an influential part of Detroit techno's second wave of artists in the early 1990s and a leading exponent of Minimal techno since the mid 1990s...
- Dimension IntrusionDimension IntrusionDimension Intrusion is an album released by F.U.S.E., aka Richie Hawtin, as the fifth release on Warp's Artificial Intelligence series, in 1993.-Track listing:All tracks by Richie Hawtin#"A New Day" – 3:53#"F.U." – 7:45#"Slac" – 3:17...
(WARP 12, 1993) - Speedy JSpeedy JSpeedy J , is a Dutch electronic music producer based in the city of Rotterdam. His breakthrough came with the release in 1992 of the minimal techno track Pullover...
- GingerGinger (album)Ginger is an album released by Speedy J in 1993, as part of Warp's Artificial Intelligence series. It is the sixth release in the series. "De-Orbit" also appears on the Artificial Intelligence compilation.- Track listing :#"Ginger" – 7:20...
(WARP 14, 1993) - AutechreAutechreAutechre are an English electronic music duo consisting of Rob Brown and Sean Booth, both natives of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1987, they are one of the most prominent acts signed to Warp Records, a label known for its pioneering electronic music and through which all Autechre albums...
- IncunabulaIncunabula (album)Incunabula is the debut album by electronic music group Autechre. It was released in 1993 and is the seventh album in the Artificial Intelligence series. The album's title has also been typeset as , as all Artificial Intelligence releases were...
(WARP 17, 1993) - Artificial Intelligence IIArtificial Intelligence IIArtificial Intelligence II was a compilation album released on Warp Records on 30 May 1994. The album is the eighth and final release in Warp's Artificial Intelligence series.-2xLP and cassette version:2xLP and cassette...
(WARP 23, 1994) - Motion (WARP 23 V, 1994) VHS
Compilation albums
- Pioneers of the Hypnotic Groove
- Evolution of the Groove
- Tequila Slammers and the Jump Jump Groove Generation
- The Theory of Evolution
- Blech
- Blech II: Blechsdottir
- Eurowarp
- Warp 10+1 InfluencesWarp 10: Influences, Classics, RemixesWarp 10 is a series of compilation albums issued by Warp Records in 1999 to celebrate the label's tenth anniversary. The collection spans three double CD/quadruple vinyl sets, which can be purchased individually...
- Warp 10+2 ClassicsWarp 10: Influences, Classics, RemixesWarp 10 is a series of compilation albums issued by Warp Records in 1999 to celebrate the label's tenth anniversary. The collection spans three double CD/quadruple vinyl sets, which can be purchased individually...
- Warp 10+3 RemixesWarp 10: Influences, Classics, RemixesWarp 10 is a series of compilation albums issued by Warp Records in 1999 to celebrate the label's tenth anniversary. The collection spans three double CD/quadruple vinyl sets, which can be purchased individually...
- Warp: Routine
- Morvern Callar - Official Soundtrack
- We Are Reasonable PeopleWe Are Reasonable PeopleWe Are Reasonable People is a compilation album released by Warp records on 29 June, 1998. The title of the album is a backronym of WARP....
- WarpVision: The Videos 1989-2004WarpVisionWarpVision: The Videos 1989-2004 is a DVD released by British record label Warp Records on September 27, 2004, which features most of the music videos produced for their artists in the 1989-2004 period...
DVD - Warp Records Sampler 2008
- Warp20 (Recreated)Warp20 (Recreated)Warp20 is a compilation album released by Warp Records in 2009. It contains covers of Warp artists, such as Aphex Twin, LFO, Boards of Canada and Grizzly Bear by other Warp artists, such as Plaid, Autechre and Mira Calix.-Track listing:...
- Warp20 (Chosen)
- Warp20 (Unheard)
See also
- Planet MuPlanet MuPlanet Mu is an electronic music record label run by Mike Paradinas . It was based in Worcester until March 2007, then moved to London and has recently relocated to Broadstairs, Kent...
- List of record labels
- List of electronic music record labels
- List of independent UK record labels
Warp Records albums
- Electronic musicElectronic musicElectronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
- Intelligent dance musicIntelligent dance musicIntelligent dance music is a term that describes an electronic music genre that emerged in the early 1990s. The genre is influenced by a wide range of musical styles particularly electronic dance music such as Detroit Techno...
- Drum and bassDrum and bassDrum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
- Techno
External links
- Warp.net – Official site
- WarpFilms.com – Warp FilmsWarp FilmsWarp is one of the foremost and most respected creative independent companies, now composed of Warp Records, Warp Films and Warp Music Videos & Commercials. It is based in London, England and Sheffield, with a further office now in Melbourne, Australia...
, a film production company from Warp - Lex Records.com – Lex RecordsLex RecordsLex Records is an independent record label founded by Tom Brown in 2001. The label was an imprint of Warp Records and run from their North London offices, until September 2005.Lex has a low volume of releases, rarely releasing more than three albums annually...
, a now independent abstract hip-hop label that branched off from Warp. - Warp Records channel at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- Warp Records at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
.com - Warp20.net Create the definitive Warp album
- Guardian Music Weekly Warp special