4AD Records

4AD is famous a Independent label pop British Rock , emblematic from the Eighties and Nineties, created by Ivo Watts Russell and Peter Kent in 1979, with the financing of the recording company mother Beggars Banquet. The new entity would have to take the name of Axis, but quickly became 4AD because the name Axis was already taken by another company of Music publishing. The origin of the name is nebulous; it would come from English " forward" (ahead), transformed into 4WARD then 4AD. Others advance that it had been creates to test musicians on a recording, in other words " For has Day" , 4AD.

Peter Kent leaves 4AD as of 1980 to found the label Situation Two, always with the support of Beggars Banquet. In 1983, Ivo Watts Russell invites the graphic young person Designer Vaughan Oliver, known under the pseudonym v23, to create small pockets of album. Under the aegis of this last, 4AD acquires an visual identity strong and distinct in perfect complement with the atmospheric music from this time.

Groups like Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance become worships as of the middle of the Eighties. But 4AD continues its development, and of the signatures like the Throwing Muses and the Pixies watch an increasing attention for the rock'n'roll American underground. At the same time, in 1987, 4AD make a success of a blow surprising while placing at the n°1 of the British charts the hit Pump Up the Volume of M/A/R/R/S, regarded as precursor for the British House music and the culture of the Sampling (it is the British first n°1 to contain samples other songs).

In 1990, 4AD opens an American office with Los Angeles and meets success with groups like the Breeders, Red House Painters, Unrest, His Name Is Alive and Frank Black. 4AD creates also a small label, Guernica, which is used as anteroom for artists (is not currently any more used).

In 1999, Ivo Watts Russell resells its shares in 4AD with Beggars Group (as it is named from now on).

4AD continues today to sign new artists with his catalog.

Produced artists

External bond

  • 4AD
  • database 4AD

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