Chicago has supported independent record publishing since the 1920s, with local labels associated with blues, jazz, soul, folk, house, classical, dance, and electronic music. This list includes active and defunct record labels founded in Chicago or later based in the city. Inclusion requires independent reliable sourcing that establishes a label's Chicago connection.
NameFounderFoundedGenresArtistsAlligator RecordsBruce Iglauer1971Blues, roots, folkKoko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, Hound Dog Taylor, Johnny Winter, Shemekia Copeland, Marcia BallAutograph Records1924Black Patti RecordsJ. Mayo Williams1927African American jazz, blues, sermons, spirituals, and skitsBloodshot RecordsNan Warshaw & Rob Miller1994Indie rock with roots inflectionsLydia Loveless, Justin Townes Earle, Wayne Hancock, Scott H. Biram, Bottle Rockets, Deadstring Brothers, Ha Ha Tonka, Jon Langford, Dex Romweber Duo, Andre Williams, Cory Branan, Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, Robbie Fulks, Bobby Bare Jr., Luke Winslow King, Murder By Death, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Waco BrothersCedille RecordsJames Ginsburg1989ClassicalChance Records1950Chess RecordsLeonard & Phil Chess1950Blues, jazz, doo-wop, gospel, soul, rock and roll, comedySee List of Chess Records artistsCurtom RecordsCurtis Mayfield1968SoulDelmark RecordsBob Koester1953Blues, jazz, doo-wop, gospelDJ International RecordsRocky Jones and Benji Espinoza1985HouseDrag CityDan Koretzky & Dan Osborn1989Experimental, folkJoanna Newsom, Pavement, Will Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy), Papa M, Jim O'Rourke, Silver Jews, Smog, Royal Trux, Chestnut Station, Mantis, Palace, Plush, Edith Frost, AzitaDunwich RecordsPsychedelic rockEarwig Music CompanyMichael Frank1978Blues, roots, storytelling, jazzDavid Honeyboy Edwards, The Jelly Roll Kings, Big Jack Johnson, Louisiana Red, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Dawkins, Frank Frost, Homesick James, John PrimerFlying Fish RecordsBruce Kaplan1974Folk, blues, bluegrass, countryGrrr RecordsGlenn Kaiser and Tom Cameron1987Christian rock, punk, bluesGlenn Kaiser, Rez Band, Darrell Mansfield, The CrossingHOMHOMHOMMaxwell Citron2012Experimental, rock, popBlue Cloud, Hannah Mayree, Aleph Eris, New Crimes, Lords of Beacon HouseHoZac RecordsTodd Novak and Brett Cross2006Underground rockInternational Anthem Recording CompanyScottie McNiece and David Allen2014Jazz, experimentalJ.O.B. Records1949Johann's Face RecordsMarc Ruvolo & Gar BrandtMelodic punk and popKrankyBruce Adams & Joel Leoschke1993Experimental, Ambient, Electronic, Psychedelic, Alternative RockLabradford, Belong, Grouper, Tim Hecker, Chihei Hatakeyama, Loscil, Pan•AmericanLengua Armada DiscosMartin SorrondeguyHardcoreLos Crudos, Limp Wrist, Charles Bronson, Severed Head of State, MK-UltraMercury RecordsMinty FreshUpbeat and poppyKahimi KarieMutant League RecordsNate Steinheimer2012Punk, hardcore, indieThe Numero GroupRob Sevier & Ken Shipley2003Reissues, Catalog, Boxsets, Soul, Funk, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Indie, Punk, Hardcore, Latin, Folk, New Age, Ambient, Instrumental, Singer-Songwriter, Lounge, Exotica, Girl Group, Pop, Garage, Power PopParrot RecordsRed Scare IndustriesTobias Jeg and Brendan KellyPunkThick RecordsPunkThrill Jockey RecordsBettina Richards1992Indie, post-rockTortoise, The Sea and Cake, Tom Verlaine, Califone, Fiery Furnaces, Archer Prewitt, Eleventh Dream DayTouch & GoFounded by Tesco Vee & Dave Stimson; Owned by Corey Rusk1981Punk, hardcore, indieTed Leo + Pharmacists, TV On The Radio, Big Black, Don Caballero, Rollins Band, The Jesus Lizard, Slint, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, !!!, Shellac, Pinback, Blonde RedheadTrax RecordsLarry Sherman, with Vince Lawrence and Jesse Saunders also credited in some accounts1984HouseAdonis, Marshall Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Fingers, Farley "Jackmaster" Funk, Phuture, Frankie Knuckles, Lidell Townsell, Jamie PrincipleUnderground Communique RecordsJustin Schwier2004Punk, hardcore, indieShot Baker, Big D and the Kids Table, The Copyrights, Hellmouth, The Heat Tape, The Methadones, Reel Big Fish, Mustard PlugUnited Records1952USA RecordsFounded by Jim Golden, owned by Paul Glass1960Blues, pop, R&B, garage band, Sound of Chicago horns and voice, rock, polka, comedyDeltones, Rivieras, Willie Mabon, Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, J.B. Lenoir, Bobby Whiteside, BuckinghamsVee-Jay RecordsVivian Carter & James C. Bracken1953R&B, SoulJohn Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, Jimmy ReedWax Trax! RecordsJim Nash and Dannie Flesher1980Industrial, punk, hardcore, indieKMFDM, Ministry, Front Line Assembly, Front 242, Minimal Compact, Braindead Soundmachine, Revolting Cocks, Pailhead, My Life with the Thrill Kill KultWTII RecordsBart Pfanenstiel and David Schock2001EBM, synthpop, industrial, electronicAcumen Nation, Beborn Beton, Blume, In Strict Confidence, Klutæ, Melotron, Sister Machine Gun
References
External links Chicago house music labels of the 80s