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 xl recordings label profile
 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.The label responsible for The White Stripes, Badly Drawn Boy and Dizzee Rascal celebrates 15 years. XL Recordings is 15 years old. It has a prestigious and impressively eclectic history, nurturing the careers of The Prodigy, Lemon Jelly, Peaches and Basement Jaxx, to name but a few. For an independent label, it has enjoyed a surprising amount of success, from receiving the Mercury Prize for Dizzee Rascal and Badly Drawn Boy’s debuts, to helping The White Stripes become one of the biggest bands on the planet. At the same time it has retained its integrity and pushed the boundaries with lesser-known acts like The Avalanches, Gotan Project, Zongamin and the recently signed Devendra Banhart. Label owner Richard Russell looks back… Dizzee Rasscal and MIA How did XL begin? What culture did it grow out of? First there was Groove Records, the first specialist rap/dance record store in Soho, London. Its owner was Tim Palmer, and he started a label called Citybeat, in partnership with Martin Mills' Beggars Banquet, to license some of the import records that they were selling in the store. I got to know Tim as I was a teenage customer in the store. Then Tim and Nick Nalkes started XL in 1989 to try and do a fresher version of what Citybeat was doing. I joined in 1990, aged 19. I was doing promo and then A&R. Then, when Tim retired in 1996, I took over. XL had been the most prominent label on the rave scene, which was initially interesting, but I wanted to sign different types of music. What were some of the turning points and defining moments for the label? The Prodigy’s development and growth was amazing. Most of our early defining moments were to do with them, culminating in The Fat Of The Land going to Number One in 26 countries in 1997. Badly Drawn Boy winning the Mercury Prize was great.  The Prodigy and The White Stripes What is the label's ethos? We know it when we see it. What do you look for in a potential signing? Are they deliberately eclectic? The eclecticism reflects the tastes of the people at the label. Like most people, I like lots of different types of music. We look for music which is original, which has a unique outlook, which is unafraid, which stands for something and which has scope. What’s your proudest moment? Last year was incredible, seeing The White Stripes become one of the most important artists in the world and watching Dizzee Rascal go from deep underground to widespread recognition was very rewarding.  Devendra Banhart and The Radio Dept What's coming up on XL we should look out for? We have some incredible new signings. Devendra Banhart is extraordinary, as is MIA. How do you think XL will change in the digital MP3 age? The fundamentals of working with great, original artists stay constant. We're here to meet their needs, and as those change we do too.
Matt Walton
Peaches - F**k The Pain Away A perfect xl artist. Very clear artistic vision, totally uncompromising and honest. The White Stripes - You’re Pretty Good Looking (For A Girl) In retrospect it was always obvious how special they were. We never released this as a single but it’s a classic. House Of Pain - Jump Around This was just amazing fun, a great signing at the time. Basement Jaxx - Good Luck I'm not sure if people appreciate just how original and innovative Basement Jaxx are, but no one else makes records that sound like this. Dizzee Rascal - Fickle From his new LP, in terms of lyrics and production he's made massive strides since Boy In Da Corner. This is just awesome.  conversations
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 peachesfatherf**ker  basement jaxxkish kash  devendra banhartrejoicing in...
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