Matador Records
| Matador Records | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Chris Lombardi |
| Distributor(s) | Matador Direct (US), ADA (US), Beggars Group (UK), Beggars Group Digital (global digital) |
| Genre | Rock, indie rock, experimental, electronic |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location |
New York City London |
| Official website | matadorrecords |
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of mainly indie rock, but also punk rock, experimental rock, alternative rock, electronic and other artists.
Matador was created in 1989 by Chris Lombardi in his New York City apartment. Lombardi brought the Austrian duo H.P. Zinker into Wharton Tiers’ Fun City studio to record Matadors first release, "...and there was light". Lombardi continued to add artists to the label's roster, with bands like the Dustdevils, Railroad Jerk and Superchunk, before being joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy in 1990. The two of them have run it together since. Matador experienced its first taste of crazed media attention & big sales with the North American release of Teenage Fanclub’s debut record, A Catholic Education in 1990. In 1992 Matador released Pavement's debut studio album Slanted and Enchanted. In 1993, not only did Matador release Liz Phair's critically and commercially successful debut album, Exile in Guyville, but the label also began a partnership with Atlantic Records which lasted for several years. In 1996, Capitol Records purchased a 49 percent stake in Matador, which Lombardi and Cosloy bought back in 1999. Beggars Group purchased 50% of Matador in 2002 and took over the label's worldwide marketing.
Over the years, the label has moved from shoebox sized offices to larger and larger complexes, and now operates in both London and New York. Matador Europe supervises the promotion, sales and marketing of Matador titles in Europe. The London based office also licensed recordings from some of North America’s most acclaimed new artists, M. Ward, Sleater-Kinney, Modest Mouse, and Superchunk to name a few. The roster has also grown with the label and has helped artists such as Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Cornelius, Solex, Pizzicato Five, Helium and the Arsonists reach audiences worldwide.
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