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.

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". The label's first success came with A.R. Kane and Flux of Pink Indians in 1986. Success continued with

Alabama 3 Alabama 3 are a British/English musical group founded in Brixton, London in 1995. They are best known for their track " Woke Up This Morning", which was used for the opening credits of the TV series ''The Sopranos''. In the United States, the ...

, Björk, Chumbawamba, Kitchens of Distinction, The Shamen,

Skunk Anansie Skunk Anansie are a British rock band whose members include Skin (lead vocals, guitar), Cass (bass, guitar, backing vocals), Ace (guitar, backing vocals) and Mark Richardson (drums and percussion). Skunk Anansie formed in 1994, disbanded in 2 ...

Sneaker Pimps 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 ...

, and the Sugarcubes. Beginning in 1990, the label created several autonomous satellite imprints including Clean-up Records, Partisan Records and

Fat Cat Records FatCat Records is an English independent record label based in Brighton. The label's output reaches into many styles including experimental rock, electronica, psychedelic folk, contemporary classical, noise and post-punk. Notable artists that ...

, 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. The song titles of The Shamen's 1996 album ''

Hempton Manor ''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, space ...

'' 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. 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 SpinART Records was a New York City-based independent record label that released recordings by The Apples in Stereo, Clem Snide, Frank Black, and Michael Penn. The label was started by Joel Morowitz and Jeff Price in 1991. SpinART filed for ban ...

. In 2009,

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, along with

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, released an album called ''

Electric Arguments ''Electric Arguments'' is the third album by the Fireman. The album was first announced 29 September 2008, on Paul McCartney's website, and was released on 24 November 2008 on the duo's website. It is the first Fireman release to be publicly ackn ...

'' under the name of The Fireman through One Little Indian. 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, and that the company would donate money towards organisations which promote and assist Native American communities in North America. In a written statement, Birkett explained:

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.

Notable artists

* Ásgeir *

Olga Bell Olga Bell (born Olga Balashova, russian: Ольга Балашова, 3 October 1983) is an American musician, music producer, composer, and singer-songwriter. She was born in Moscow, Russia, raised in Anchorage, Alaska and is currently based in ...

* Galya Bisengalieva * Björk * Cody Chesnutt * Manu Delago * Foxtrott * Fufanu * God Damn *

Jesse Malin Jesse Malin (born January 26, 1967) is an American rock musician, guitarist, and songwriter. Starting his performing career in the New York hardcore band Heart Attack, and rising to prominence as vocalist of D Generation, a solo recording arti ...

* Sarasara * Samaris * Emilíana Torrini *

Marry Waterson Maria Gilhooley (née Knight), who records under the name Marry Waterson, is a singer, songwriter and visual artist. A member of the Waterson-Knight-Carthy family musical dynasty, Waterson is described as having "thrived on communal music making ...

* Wild Palms * Kathryn Williams

Reception

Amazing Radio Amazing Radio is an international radio station first broadcast originally on digital radio in the United Kingdom. The station plays new music from a number of music genres including pop, rock, indie, hip hop, electronica and jazz. The st ...

has characterised the label as "consistently brilliant" and as having "a rich musical history".

References

External links

Official UK & EU website
{{Authority control Punk record labels British independent record labels Record labels established in 1985 1985 establishments in England Name changes due to the George Floyd protests

History

Notable artists

Reception

See also

References

External links