Rough Trade

Rough Trade Records grew out of Geoff Travis’s record shop off Ladbroke Grove, London, and began label activity in 1978 after its early support for punk, post-punk and indie pop releases by acts including the Normal and Desperate Bicycles. Formed in 1976, the label was informed by left-wing politics and organised as a co-operative. Travis also worked with artists such as Scritti Politti during this formative period, while Rough Trade developed into a central name in British independent music.

In 1983, Rough Trade signed the Smiths, a defining association from its first era. The late 1980s brought financial pressure as major labels invested heavily in the UK indie scene and Rough Trade’s distribution operation overtraded, eventually sending the company into receivership. Travis later regained control of the Rough Trade name and relaunched the label in the late 1990s with Jeannette Lee. The renewed operation found success with the Libertines, the Strokes, and Anohni and the Johnsons. Rough Trade is now affiliated with Beggars Group and is run by co-managing directors Travis and Lee.

Based in London, Rough Trade’s roster moves comfortably between abrasive post-punk, alternative and garage rock, art pop, folk, electronic music and soul. Pulp and Sleaford Mods connect the label to sharp, socially observant British songwriting, while Lankum’s dark, exploratory folk and caroline’s expansive indie rock show a willingness to work beyond straightforward guitar-band forms. Releases by Gruff Rhys, This Is The Kit, A. Savage, Dean Blunt, black midi, Special Interest and Jockstrap further reflect a catalogue built around distinct artistic voices rather than a single fixed sound.