Warp Information

Warp



Warp, also known as Warp Records, is an ongoing independent English record label which was founded in Sheffield in 1989, renowned for discovering some of the most enduring artists in electronic music.


Warp records was founded by Steve Beckett and Rob Mitchell (deceased) from their experiences working at the FON record store, alongside producer Robert Gordon, the label soon became home to artists who would be highly influential in electronic music.


The first release (WAP1) was by Forgemasters (produced by Robert Gordon), whose limited 500 copy pressing of "Track With No Name" was financed by an Enterprise Allowance grant and distributed in a borrowed car. The first album released was Sweet Exorcist's C.C.E.P. in 1991. In the same year Robert Gordon left Warp.


Warp went on to release a series of singles and albums from 1992 under the Artificial Intelligence heading, a series of experimental electronic music releases by artists such as Aphex Twin. Initially all the album releases were gatefold sleeves and coloured vinyl, often with striking covers by The Designers Republic or Phil Wolstenholme.


In 1999 the label released Warp 10: Influences, Classics, Remixes, a compilation spanning six discs, featuring early acid house and techno music that influenced the label and its artists, as well as classic tracks from Warp's back catalog, and new remixes of Warp material. The collection celebrated the label's tenth anniversary.


In 2000 the label moved its operation to London along with its physical music and merchandise store Warpmart.


Co-founder Rob Mitchell died of cancer in late 2001.


In January 2004 Warp launched an online digital music store, Bleep, notable for being among the few stores to completely avoid all digital rights management features in the downloadable tracks, unlike other music stores such as iTunes.


On 27 September 2004 Warp released its second music video compilation, named WarpVision, featuring most of the videos produced from 1989 to 2004.


The label recently began to expand outside of electronica by signing indie rock bands such as, Battles, Born Ruffians, Maxïmo Park, Gravenhurst and Grizzly Bear.


For the label's 20th Anniversary in 2009, several Warp20 concerts took place in Paris, New York City, Sheffield, Tokyo, Berlin and London.