Independent Record Label

Rough Trade Records

Rough Trade Records started out as an independent record label based in London. It grew out of the Rough Trade shop in 1978 and also went into the distribution business. It then became independent from the shop in 1982. It went bankrupt in 1991 ruining quite a few smaller record labels that they owed money to. It was then relaunched in 2000. Rough Trade is known for specialising in European post-punk and other alternative rock. BMG (a big record company who are in allegiance with Sony) bought them out in 2002.

In 2006 Rough Trade went on to create 'rough trade digital' an online shop where you can pay to download good 'indie' music. It was set up to compete with the growing demand for downloadable tracks, but also to promote the importance of paying for downloads, instead of illegally downloading.

Artists:
1990s
Aberfeldy
Antony & The Johnsons
Arcade Fire
A.R.E. WeaponsVirginia
Astley
Babyshambles
Beachwood Sparks
Bell Orchestré
Belle & Sebastian
Brakes
British Sea Power
Basia Bulat
Jarvis Cocker
Cornershop
The Decemberists
Delays
Detroit Cobras
Dr. Dog Cara
DillonBaxter
Dury
Eastern Lane
Equation
The Fiery Furnaces
Adam Green
Hal
The Hidden Cameras
Islands
Lavender Diamond Jeffrey Lewis
Jenny Lewis
The Libertines
The Long Blondes
LowThe Mescalitas
The Moldy Peaches
Oneida
Phantom Buffalo
Queen Adreena
Eddi Reader
Relaxed Muscle
Alasdair Roberts
Royal City Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions
Scissors For Lefty
Scritti Politti
The Strokes
Sufjan Stevens
Sun Kil Moon
Super Furry Animals
Emiliana Torrini
The Tyde
The Unicorns
The Veils

Although Rough Trade is no longer an independent record label, it still acts as one, in order to retain its 'image'. Therefore, people still see the label as being, cool, new, innovative and original and so are more inclined to buy records from its artists.