The Indie’s Turn
Matador Records
By Adam M. Anklewicz

Belle & Sebastian, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Liz Phair, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Pavement, Neko Case, Guided By Voices, Khan, Spoon and Mogwai.  What do all these artists have in common?  At one point or another they were part of the Matador catalogue.  But this list only scratches the surface of Matador’s history.  Though now partially owned by Beggars Group, Matador is running independently and releasing incredible music. 

Matador, a label that primarily focuses on releasing rock and pop acts, has over the past 15 years made a career of supporting unknown artists.  During that process they are helping these musicians mature into some of the best rock and roll acts seen in recent years.  Based in New York City, Matador has helped local acts as well as other international acts.  Matador has been the American home to such international acts as Boards Of Canada, while Matador Europe, based in London, has licensed American artists like Sleater-Kinney for European distribution. 

H.P. Zinker was the first act to call Matador Records home.  He was signed by Chris Lombardi, who started the label, in 1989.  Together they released an E.P. called …And There Was Light, featuring guitar, bass and a drum machine.  The release crossed many genres including metal and folk.  At this point, Matador has been releasing music outside of the mainstream for 15 years.  “We’ll sign someone from Mars if we like their music enough,” Matador says in their website’s F.A.Q.  Music being a universal medium, Matador has taken an eclectic approach to its catalogue.  Matador has promoted modern punk acts such as Pretty Girls Make Graves, experimental pop such as Matmos, and power pop acts like The New Pornographers. 

Yo La Tengo is one of Matador’s biggest acts, signing to the label for their 6th album.  1993’s Painful is considered by many to be one of their best.  Having been on the label for over a decade, Yo La Tengo doesn’t look like they’re slowing down any time soon.

In 1996, when very few people had heard the name Belle & Sebastian, Matador licensed the North American release of their second album, If You’re Feeling Sinister. Belle & Sebastian were able to gain a loyal following which paid off for Matador when they hit it big with their album The Boy With The Arab Strap two years later. 

Matador is about to release a double disc set retrospective of some of the music they have released over the past 15 years.  Their back catalogue and current roster is extremely impressive and offers a refuge for music lovers of all kinds.          

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FIVE ESSENTIAL MATADOR RECORDINGS

1. Belle & Sebastian, The Boy With The Arab Strap (1998)

Arguably their best work to date, Belle & Sebastian broke the mainstream with this album, adding more pop to their brand of indie rock.  An imported album from Europe’s Jeepster Recordings, it proves that Matador has an ear for great albums, no matter where they originate.  On this album, Stuart Murdoch let go of his reins a bit and handed some of the songwriting over to Isobel Campbell, Stuart David and Stevie Jackson while still allowing his genius to carry the band.

2. The New Pornographers, Mass Romantic (2000)

Mass Romatic is the debut album by Canadian supergroup The New Pornographers.  The group is comprised of Neko Case (Corn Sisters), Dan Bejar (Destroyer), Carl Newman (Zumpano), Blaine Thurier (Director of the film Low Self Esteem Girl), Kurt Dahle and Todd Fancey (both of Limblifter).   Another imported album, this time from Canada’s Mint Records, it is perhaps the best pop album made in a long time.  The album is just one catchy tune after the next.  “Letter From An Occupant” and “Execution Day” are perfect examples of what should be played on the radio.

3. Interpol, Antics (2004)

Though not yet released, Interpol are gaining a lot of media attention and judging from the clips on their web site, the album sounds like it could be their best yet.

4. Liz Phair, Whip-Smart (1994)

Women can rock too.  Now on giant Capitol Records, Liz is able to rock and roll.  Personal and strong, intelligent and fun.  A very different edge than the other albums on this list and definitely a worthwhile purchase.

5. A.C. Newman, The Slow Wonder (2004)

Better known as Carl Newman from The New Pornographers.  His solo album is better than the second New Pornographers’ second album, which was a huge disappointment. Good to see the man still has the ability to write great catchy pop songs.

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