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Chicago's home to a lot of legendary record labels; here's a look at some of the most prominent.

Tuesday Jun 24, 2008.     By Scott Morrow

Music Feed

Serving as the major cultural hub of the Midwest, Chicago has made significant contributions in nearly every musical genre, particularly with its jazz, blues and alt-rock scenes. Storied establishments like the Green Mill and defunct modern venues like The Fireside have given platform to visionary musicians, who in turn occupy roster space on many of the city's influential independent record labels. Here is a look at some of Chicago's most prominent.

Delmark
One of the oldest and most important independent record labels in US history, Delmark Records—originally Delmar—was founded in 1953 by jazz/blues archivist Bob Koester, who moved the business to Chicago in 1958. Koester started the crucial label during his time in St. Louis, where he pushed back against the radio's obsession with big-band music and jazz vocalists like Frank Sinatra and Perry Como. Delmark made a name for itself by recording and reissuing jazz and blues albums that harkened back to the '20s and '30s, and it went on to release many essential recordings in the coming decades, leaving an indelible mark on both scenes. The label worked with classic artists such as Sun Ra, Muhal Richard Abrams, Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton and The Memphis Nighthawks, and it now releases modern works by major names like Fred Anderson, Rob Mazurek, Ken Vandermark, NRG Ensemble and Jeff Parker.

Touch and Go
Founded in the early '80s by The Meatmen singer Tesco Vee and Necros bassist Corey Rusk, Touch and Go Records began as a strong supporter of the decade's hardcore punk movement. As Rusk took over and time passed, the label became home to influential alt-rock groups The Jesus Lizard, Shellac, Big Black, Slint, Man or Astro-Man?, The Mekons, The Butthole Surfers, Girls Against Boys and Urge Overkill. A stylistic expansion has continued over the past 15 years, in which Touch and Go has released albums by southwestern folk group Calexico, indie math rockers Don Caballero, violin-centered folk rockers Dirty Three and dance-punk act !!!. Some of the label's popular contemporary artists are TV on the Radio, The Black Heart Procession, Blonde Redhead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Pinback.

Thrill Jockey
Thrill Jockey Records began in Manhattan, but it quickly relocated to Chicago with founder Bettina Richards, a former employee of Atlantic Records. The influential and diverse label, in operation since 1992, has been the home of many critically acclaimed musicians, and its 200-plus releases, which can all be streamed for free online, span indie rock, free jazz, post-rock, electronic music, experimental rock, noise rock and everything in between. With scores of eclectic musicians on its roster, Thrill Jockey has put out albums by Tortoise, Boredoms, Fred Anderson, Exploding Star Orchestra, Extra Golden, Mouse on Mars, Trans Am and Nobukazu Takemura.

Atavistic
Founded in 1986, Atavistic Worldwide is one of the nation's foremost labels in experimental free jazz and rock. Vandermark 5, Peter Brotzmann's Chicago Tentet, Lydia Lunch, Nels Cline, Swans and Jarboe a few of the notable names on Atavistic's potent roster, which includes the Unheard Music imprint, focused on reissuing out-of-print improvisational and avant-garde albums. In addition to its regular artists, the label also has released videos for other labels' high-profile acts, including The Flaming Lips, Cabaret Voltaire, Laibach, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Mission of Burma and Einsturzende Neubauten.

Drag City
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009, Drag City hosts dozens of boundary-pushing bands that cover nearly as many genres. The label, started by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn, often gets pegged as releasing experimental indie rock records. Its artists, however, run the gamut from quirky folk to psychedelic drone rock, alt-metal and world music. Some of the label's noteworthy musicians include Royal Trux, Pavement, Ghost, Smog, Will Oldham, Jim O’Rourke, The Fucking Champs and Joanna Newsom.

Other important Chicago labels:

Chocolate Industries
Specializing in modern hip-hop and DJ releases, this nearly 10-year-old label has put out CDs and vinyl from Mos Def, Money Mark, Prefuse 73, Diverse, Ghislain Poirier, Lady Sovereign, Vast Aire and The Cool Kids.

Bloodshot
Bloodshot Records has been in operation since 1994, releasing albums by distinguished alt-country and roots-rock bands. Among its stable of musicians are the Old 97s, Waco Brothers, Jon Langford, Neko Case, Andre Williams, Graham Parker and Danbert Nobacon.

Kranky
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Kranky Records specializes in experimental indie rock but often crosses into electronic territory. The label's current and previous artists include Deerhunter, Lichens, Labradford, Low, Godspeed You Black Emperor! and James Plotkin.

Ears & Eyes
Dedicated to Chicago crossover artists who fuse jazz, rock, electronic and classical music together, Ears & Eyes Records boasts a stable of talented young musicians from the local scene. Its releases include albums from Tomorrow Music Orchestra, Jason Steele Ensemble, Algernon, Silences Sumire and Zing!

Galapagos4
Turning 10 in '09, this local hip-hop label features artists who mix the classic with the cutting edge. Its roster includes Qwel, Pugslee Atomz, Meaty Ogre, Mestizo, Robust and Offwhyte.

Flameshovel
Spawned in the early naughts, Flameshovel Records serves as the city's indie-rock ambassador. Its roster has included heavyweights like melodic alt-metal trio Russian Circles; Make Believe, the alter-ego of art rockers Joan of Arc; and pop rockers Maritime, borne from the ashes of The Promise Ring and The Dismemberment Plan.