True Panther Sounds (TPS) is an

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small and medium-sized enterprise, small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels ...

founded by Dean Bein in San Francisco in 2004. The label eventually moved to New York, and was acquired by

Matador Records Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of mainly indie rock, but also punk rock, experimental rock, alternative rock, and electronic acts. History Matador was created in 1989 by Chris Lombardi in his New York City ap ...

Beggars Group Beggars Group is a British record company, founded by Martin Mills, that owns or holds stakes in various record labels, including 4AD, Rough Trade Records, Matador Records, XL Recordings, and Young (record label), Young. History The company had i ...

in 2009, remaining under that umbrella until 2017. The label has worked with artists of various genres, including notable acts such as ABRA, Celeste, Glasser,

Girls A girl is a young female human, usually a child or an adolescent. While the term ''girl'' has other meanings, including ''young woman'',Dictionary.com, "Girl"'' Retrieved January 2, 2008. ''daughter'' or ''girlfriend'' regardless of age, ...

King Krule Archy Ivan Marshall (born 24 August 1994), also known by his stage name King Krule, among other names, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, rapper and record producer. He began recording music in 2010 under the moniker Zoo Kid. The foll ...

, Tobias Jesso Jr., Shlohmo, and

Slowthai Tyron Kaymone Frampton (born 18 December 1994), better known by his stage name Slowthai (stylised in lowercase), is a British rapper. Raised in Northampton, he rose to popularity in 2019 for his gritty and rough instrumentals and raw, Music and ...

History

True Panther Sounds was founded in 2004 by Dean Bein, Molly Samuel, and Avi Klein, who at the time were also bandmates in Red Tape Apocalypse. The group initially created the label to release the 7-inch tour-only record they had recorded in Bein's basement. After their first record sold well they decided to release another with the money, and by 2006 they were releasing projects from other artists. Samuel and Klein eventually left the label, leading Bein to relocate the business to

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

, New York City. An early success for the label came with the debut album from San Francisco band

, which was a joint venture between True Panther and Matador Records. The record quickly became one of the most talked about indie albums of 2009, even receiving the designation of "Best New Music" from

Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials. The term is also applie ...

. On November 4, 2009, Matador executive

Gerard Cosloy Gerard Cosloy (born 1964) is an American music industry executive. Biography Cosloy was raised in Wayland, Massachusetts, a western suburb of Boston. While he was in high school, he became involved in the local hardcore punk scene, put together ...

announced via a blog post on the company's website that Matador had purchased True Panther Sounds. The message confirmed that like Girls' ''

Album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

'', future True Panther releases would be marketed and promoted by Matador. True Panther separated from Matador Records and Beggars Group in 2017, subsequently beginning a distribution deal with

Universal Music Group Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Netherlands, Dutch–United States, American multinational Music industry, music corporation under Law of the Netherlands, ...

. True Panther won the 2024 Libera Award and 2025 Libera Award for Label of the Year (5 or fewer employees).

Current artists

True Panther's roster consists of the following artists:

Alumni

True Panther has signed many artists in the past, including:

Releases

The following is an incomplete list of records released by True Panther Sounds:Matador Records Discography
.

. Retrieved 1 August 2011.

References

External links