DFA

DFA Records grew out of the partnership between Tim Goldsworthy and James Murphy, the musicians behind production team The DFA, and manager Jonathan Galkin. Founded in 2001, the New York City independent label took its name from “Death From Above,” a nickname James Murphy had used for the punishing PA system he ran while working as Six Finger Satellite’s live sound engineer.

Its musical identity has been closely tied to punk funk, reflecting the collision of dance-floor rhythm, rock energy and studio-minded production suggested by its founders’ background. Goldsworthy and Murphy had worked together as The DFA before Goldsworthy relocated to the UK, while Galkin helped establish the label as the home for their shared musical outlook.

Based in New York City, DFA Records remains identified with the name and aesthetic of its founding production partnership, rather than the unrelated band The DFA.