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{{Short description|American independent record label}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Music -->
| name =DFA Records
| name =DFA Records
Line 4: Line 6:
| image_size =100
| image_size =100
| founded = {{start date|2001}}
| founded = {{start date|2001}}
| founder = [[Tim Goldsworthy]]<br/>[[James Murphy (electronic musician)|James Murphy]]<br/>[[Jonathan Galkin]]
| founder = [[Tim Goldsworthy]]<br />[[James Murphy (electronic musician)|James Murphy]]<br />[[Jonathan Galkin]]
| distributor =[[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]] (North America), [[Liberation Music]] (Australasia), [[Cooperative Music|PIAS Cooperative]] (Rest of World)
| distributor =[[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]] (North America), [[Liberation Music]] (Australasia), [[PIAS Group]] (Rest of World)
| genre ={{hlist|[[Electronica]]<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EgHgDgiLzqMC&pg=RA11-PA48 | title=Free Energy – Stuck on Nothing | date=January 9, 2010 | journal=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>|[[dance-punk]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://observer.com/2016/03/lcd-soundsystem-rises-from-the-dead-to-lead-us-back-to-the-promised-land/ | title=LCD Soundsystem Rises From the Dead to Lead Us Back to the Promised Land | newspaper=[[New York Observer]] | date=March 30, 2016 | accessdate=April 23, 2016 | author=Joffe, Justin}}</ref>}}
| genre ={{hlist|[[Indie rock]]<ref name="tidal.com">[https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/fad86371-1699-420e-b24d-f099e4f3475f] {{dead link|date=May 2022}}</ref>|[[electronica]]<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EgHgDgiLzqMC&pg=RA11-PA48 | title=Free Energy – Stuck on Nothing | date=January 9, 2010 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>|[[dance-punk]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://observer.com/2016/03/lcd-soundsystem-rises-from-the-dead-to-lead-us-back-to-the-promised-land/ | title=LCD Soundsystem Rises From the Dead to Lead Us Back to the Promised Land | newspaper=[[The New York Observer]] | date=March 30, 2016 | access-date=April 23, 2016 | author=Joffe, Justin}}</ref>|[[post-punk]]<ref name="tidal.com"/>|[[dance music|dance]]<ref>[https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/fad86371-1699-420e-b24d-f099e4f3475f] {{dead link|date=May 2022}}</ref>}}
| country = U.S.
| country = U.S.
| location = New York City
| location = New York City
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}}
}}


'''DFA Records''' is an American [[independent record label]] based in [[New York City]].
⚫
'''DFA Records''' is an American independent record label founded in 2001 by [[Mo' Wax]] co-founder [[Tim Goldsworthy]], musician [[James Murphy (electronic musician)|James Murphy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/october_2002/dfa.html |title=DFA Records: An Interview With James Murphy |accessdate=2008-08-14 |work= |publisher=Free Williamsburg |date=2002-10-01}}</ref> and manager [[Jonathan Galkin]].<ref name="modular">{{cite web|url=http://www.modularpeople.com/03/dfa/ |title=DFA: Sweet Connection |accessdate=2008-07-02 |work= |publisher=ModularPeople |year=2004 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526141740/http://www.modularpeople.com/03/dfa/ |archivedate=May 26, 2005 }}</ref> They previously had a production team called '''The DFA''', consisting of Goldsworthy and Murphy.

⚫
Originally founded in 2001 by [[Mo' Wax]] co-founder [[Tim Goldsworthy]], musician [[James Murphy (electronic musician)|James Murphy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/october_2002/dfa.html |title=DFA Records: An Interview With James Murphy |access-date=August 14, 2008 |publisher=Free Williamsburg |date=October 1, 2002 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and manager [[Jonathan Galkin]].<ref name="modular">{{cite web|url=http://www.modularpeople.com/03/dfa/ |title=DFA: Sweet Connection |access-date=July 2, 2008 |publisher=ModularPeople |year=2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526141740/http://www.modularpeople.com/03/dfa/ |archive-date=May 26, 2005 }}</ref> Goldsworth and Murphy were formerly a production team called '''The DFA''', until Goldsworthy left the label.


==History==
==History==
[[File:DFA anniversary.webm|thumb|upright|Visual projections over DFA logo at a 2014 anniversary party in Los&nbsp;Angeles]]
⚫
James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy met while working in New York on the [[David Holmes (musician)|David Holmes]] album ''[[Let's Get Killed]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php?i=1063 |title=Label Profile: DFA Records |access-date=July 2, 2008 |publisher=Junkmedia |date=June 9, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006204101/http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php?i=1063 |archive-date=October 6, 2007 }}</ref> After the recording was completed, Goldsworthy stayed in New York, and the two began to throw parties in the [[Lower East Side]]. They created the production duo, The DFA, but wished to grow The DFA into more than what it was. It was not until they met Jonathan Galkin, who subsequently quit his event-production job to work with James and Tim, that they turned DFA into a label.<ref name="modular"/>


⚫
DFA Records began on a series of 12" single vinyl releases starting with [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]]'s "[[House of Jealous Lovers]]" and [[The Juan Maclean]]'s "By the Time I Get to Venus". "House of Jealous Lovers" went on to sell 7500 copies.<ref>{{cite news| last = Romano| first = Tricia| title = Prophecy Fulfilled | newspaper = [[Village Voice]]| url =http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-09-03/nyc-life/prophecy-fulfilled/| access-date = August 14, 2008| date=September 3, 2002}}</ref> Many of the early releases of DFA's catalog were released in [[Europe]] through Trevor Jackson's [[Output Recordings]]. After completing production on The Rapture's debut full-length album ''[[Echoes (The Rapture album)|Echoes]]'', DFA began to shop around the album. Although The Rapture eventually signed to [[Universal Music Group]], the DFA label secured a deal with [[EMI]] for distribution of its acts outside the United States, along with several distributors within the U.S.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|last=Paoletta |first=Michael |title = DFA Inches Toward Mainstream |magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4646433-1.html| access-date=August 14, 2008| date=November 13, 2004}}</ref>
⚫
James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy met while working in New York on the [[David Holmes (musician)|David Holmes]] album ''[[Let's Get Killed]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php?i=1063 |title=Label Profile: DFA Records |accessdate=2008-07-02 |work= |publisher=Junkmedia |date=2004-06-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006204101/http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php?i=1063 |archivedate=2007-10-06 |df= }}</ref> After the recording was completed, Goldsworthy stayed in New York, and the two began to throw parties in the [[Lower East Side]]. They wished to start a record label, but it was not until they met Jonathan Galkin, who subsequently quit his event-production job to run the label, that it took off.<ref name="modular"/>


⚫
The label has grown steadily since, producing full-length albums for its ever-growing roster of artists, as well as releasing a selection of singles and compilations on their label. Notable releases include The Rapture's EP "House of Jealous Lovers", the twice-[[Grammy]] nominated [[LCD Soundsystem (album)|debut]] of James Murphy's band [[LCD Soundsystem]] and its follow-ups ''[[Sound of Silver]]'', ''[[This Is Happening]]'' and ''[[American Dream (LCD Soundsystem album)|American Dream]]''. DFA have also released a number of compilation albums featuring artists such as [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]], [[The Juan Maclean]], [[Black Dice]], Shit Robot, Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, J.O.Y., [[Pixeltan]], Black Leotard Front, [[Hot Chip]], and [[LCD Soundsystem]].
⚫
DFA Records began on a series of 12" single vinyl releases starting with [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]]'s "[[House of Jealous Lovers]]" and [[The Juan Maclean]]'s "By the Time I Get to Venus". "House of Jealous Lovers" went on to sell 7500 copies.<ref>{{cite news| last = Romano| first = Tricia| title = Prophecy Fulfilled | newspaper = [[Village Voice]]| url =http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-09-03/nyc-life/prophecy-fulfilled/| accessdate = 2008-08-14| date=2002-09-03}}</ref> Many of the early releases of DFA's catalog were released in [[Europe]] through Trevor Jackson's [[Output Recordings]]. After completing production on The Rapture's debut full-length album ''[[Echoes (The Rapture album)|Echoes]]'', DFA began to shop around the album. Although The Rapture eventually signed to [[Universal Music Group]], the DFA label secured a deal with [[EMI]] for distribution of its acts outside the United States, along with several distributors within the U.S.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|last=Paoletta |first=Michael |title = DFA Inches Toward Mainstream |magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4646433-1.html| accessdate=2008-08-14| date=2004-11-13}}</ref>


⚫
As a production team, the DFA have produced and remixed artists including [[Radio 4 (band)|Radio 4]], [[Le Tigre]], [[N.E.R.D.]], [[Soulwax]], [[Blues Explosion]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], Automato, [[Gorillaz]], [[UNKLE]], [[The Chemical Brothers]] and [[M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A.]] The DFA remix of M.I.A.'s "[[Paper Planes (M.I.A. song)|Paper Planes]]" appeared on [[A. R. Rahman]]'s [[Academy Award]]-winning ''[[Slumdog Millionaire (soundtrack)|Slumdog Millionaire]]'' soundtrack. They spent an afternoon writing a song with [[Britney Spears]], and were also approached by [[Janet Jackson]] to collaborate.<ref name="reynolds">{{cite news| last=Reynolds |first=Simon |title=House of Zealous Rockers |newspaper=[[Village Voice]] |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-10-26/news/house-of-zealous-rockers/| access-date = August 14, 2008| date=October 26, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/LCD_Soundsystems_James_Murphy_Snubs_Janet_Jackson|title=LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy Snubs Janet Jackson - News - exclaim.ca |work=Exclaim.ca |date=October 10, 2005|access-date=August 11, 2010}}</ref> The production duo effectively came to an end when Tim Goldsworthy left New York and moved back to his native UK.<ref name="goldsworthy leaves">{{cite web| title=Tim Goldsworthy Parts With DFA? |publisher=[[Resident Advisor]] |url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=11652 |access-date=December 3, 2011| date=February 3, 2010}}</ref> The label was primarily run by Jonathan Galkin and Kris Petersen.<ref name="Galkin interview">{{cite web| last=Matos |first=Michaelangelo |title=Behind the scenes at DFA: Jonathan Galkin |publisher=[[Resident Advisor]] |url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1445 |access-date=December 3, 2011 |date=September 21, 2011}}</ref>
⚫
The label has grown steadily since, producing full-length albums for its ever-growing roster of artists, as well as releasing a selection of singles and compilations on their label. Notable releases include The Rapture's EP "House of Jealous Lovers", the twice-[[Grammy]] nominated [[LCD Soundsystem (album)|debut]] of James Murphy's band [[LCD Soundsystem]] and its follow-ups ''[[Sound of Silver]]'' and ''[[This Is Happening]]''. DFA have also released a number of compilation albums featuring artists such as [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]], [[The Juan Maclean]], [[Black Dice]], Shit Robot, [[Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom]], J.O.Y., [[Pixeltan]], Black Leotard Front, [[Hot Chip]], and [[LCD Soundsystem]].

⚫
As a production team, the DFA have produced and remixed artists including [[Radio 4 (band)|Radio 4]], [[Le Tigre]], [[N.E.R.D.]], [[Soulwax]], [[Blues Explosion]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], Automato, [[Gorillaz]], [[UNKLE]], [[The Chemical Brothers]] and [[M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A.]]. The DFA remix of M.I.A.'s "[[Paper Planes (M.I.A. song)|Paper Planes]]" appeared on [[A. R. Rahman]]'s [[Academy Award]]-winning ''[[Slumdog Millionaire (soundtrack)|Slumdog Millionaire]]'' soundtrack. They spent an afternoon writing a song with [[Britney Spears]], and were also approached by [[Janet Jackson]] to collaborate.<ref name="reynolds">{{cite news| last=Reynolds |first=Simon |title=House of Zealous Rockers |newspaper=[[Village Voice]] |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-10-26/news/house-of-zealous-rockers/| accessdate = 2008-08-14| date=2004-10-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/LCD_Soundsystems_James_Murphy_Snubs_Janet_Jackson|title=LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy Snubs Janet Jackson - News - exclaim.ca |work=Exclaim.ca |date=05-10-10|accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> The production duo effectively came to an end when Tim Goldsworthy left New York and moved back to his native UK.<ref name="goldsworthy leaves">{{cite web| title=Tim Goldsworthy Parts With DFA? |publisher=[[Resident Advisor]] |url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=11652 |accessdate=2011-12-03| date=2010-02-03}}</ref> The label is now primarily run by Jonathan Galkin and Kris Petersen.<ref name="Galkin interview">{{cite web| last=Matos |first=Michaelangelo |title=Behind the scenes at DFA: Jonathan Galkin |publisher=[[Resident Advisor]] |url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1445 |accessdate=2011-12-03 |date=2011-09-21}}</ref>


===Death From Abroad===
===Death From Abroad===
In 2007 DFA Records started an imprint label titled '''Death From Abroad'''. This offshoot is used to release 12" singles by artists not based in North America, such as [[Mock & Toof]] and ALTZ.<ref>{{cite news | last=Bruno | first=David | title=the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (08/02/07) | date=2007-08-02 | publisher=Brooklyn Vegan | url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2007/08/the_week_in_dan_23.html}}</ref> The imprint also released a CD compilation of tracks released on the [[Berlin]] based Supersoul Recordings.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |title=DFA teams up with Supersoul |date=2008-05-02 |publisher=Fact Magazine |url=http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=26 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503033234/http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=26 |archivedate=2008-05-03 |df= }}</ref>
In 2007 DFA Records started an imprint label titled '''Death From Abroad'''. This offshoot is used to release 12" singles by artists not based in North America, such as [[Mock & Toof]] and ALTZ.<ref>{{cite news | last=Bruno | first=David | title=the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (08/02/07) | date=August 2, 2007 | publisher=Brooklyn Vegan | url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2007/08/the_week_in_dan_23.html}}</ref> The imprint also released a CD compilation of tracks released on the [[Berlin]] based Supersoul Recordings.<ref>{{cite news |title=DFA teams up with Supersoul |date=May 2, 2008 |publisher=Fact Magazine |url=http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503033234/http://www.factmagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=26 |archive-date=May 3, 2008 }}</ref>


===Name dispute===
===Name dispute===
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<blockquote>We knew about them for a long time, the name thing wasn't a big deal. It wasn't until they signed to a major label, which wouldn't release the record until we signed off on the name. That's how this all came about.... [Parent company of Death From Above 1979's label, Vice] Atlantic's not gonna release a record by a band with the same name as another entity in music.... We spent a lot of money because we didn't just wanna be total fucking assholes and just say no. We were trying to find a way for it to actually work.... I was like, "What the hell's wrong with Death From Above 1979?" But the copyright attorney was like, "No, that's not fine." And I said, "If they become a totally different name, and it delays their record, that's something I'm not comfortable with." So we just tried to make it work as well as possible.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sylvester | first=Nick | title=Jukebox: James Murphy | date=2005-05-09 | website=Pitchfork | url=http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/6036-jukebox-james-murphy/}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>We knew about them for a long time, the name thing wasn't a big deal. It wasn't until they signed to a major label, which wouldn't release the record until we signed off on the name. That's how this all came about.... [Parent company of Death From Above 1979's label, Vice] Atlantic's not gonna release a record by a band with the same name as another entity in music.... We spent a lot of money because we didn't just wanna be total fucking assholes and just say no. We were trying to find a way for it to actually work.... I was like, "What the hell's wrong with Death From Above 1979?" But the copyright attorney was like, "No, that's not fine." And I said, "If they become a totally different name, and it delays their record, that's something I'm not comfortable with." So we just tried to make it work as well as possible.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sylvester | first=Nick | title=Jukebox: James Murphy | date=2005-05-09 | website=Pitchfork | url=http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/6036-jukebox-james-murphy/}}</ref></blockquote>


The band would later go on to change their name to Death from Above in 2017 without any legal repercussions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/74026-death-from-above-1979-are-just-death-from-above-now/|title=Death From Above 1979 Are Just “Death From Above” Now {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=2017-06-07}}</ref>
The band would later go on to change their name back to Death from Above in 2017 without any legal repercussions, reverting back to Death from Above 1979 in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/74026-death-from-above-1979-are-just-death-from-above-now/|title=Death From Above 1979 Are Just "Death From Above" Now {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=June 6, 2017|language=en|access-date=June 7, 2017}}</ref>


===Dispute over finances===
===Dispute over finances===
In 2013 Murphy filed a lawsuit against Goldsworthy, alleging he owed money and had been making unauthorised withdrawals from bank accounts and using the company credit card improperly.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/James-Murphy-files-lawsuit-against-record-label-co-founder/tabid/418/articleID/289158/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ | title= James Murphy files lawsuit against record label co-founder| date=March 6, 2013}}</ref>
In 2013 Murphy filed a lawsuit against Goldsworthy, alleging Goldsworthy owed money and had been making unauthorised withdrawals from bank accounts and using the company credit card improperly.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/James-Murphy-files-lawsuit-against-record-label-co-founder/tabid/418/articleID/289158/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= James Murphy files lawsuit against record label co-founder| date= March 6, 2013| access-date= March 6, 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131215145541/http://www.3news.co.nz/James-Murphy-files-lawsuit-against-record-label-co-founder/tabid/418/articleID/289158/Default.aspx| archive-date= December 15, 2013| url-status= dead}}</ref>

Additionally, in 2020, Galkin was dismissed by Murphy due to concerns regarding finances and maintaining artist relationships. The split was acrimonious and involved legal disputes regarding the removal of Galkin's minority ownership of DFA.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://pitchfork.com/news/james-murphy-ousted-dfa-records-co-founder-jonathan-galkin-last-year-what-happened/| website= Pitchfork| title= James Murphy Ousted DFA Records Co-Founder Jonathan Galkin Last Year. What Happened?| date= September 28, 2021| access-date= September 28, 2021}}</ref>


==Sound and influence==
==Sound and influence==
As well as Murphy's [[LCD Soundsystem]] the label is currently home to the likes of [[The Juan Maclean]], [[Hot Chip]] (North America only), [[Shit Robot]], [[Gavin Russom]], [[Prinzhorn Dance School]], [[Shocking Pinks]], [[Holy Ghost!]], Still Going, Syclops, [[Planningtorock]] and [[Jona Bechtolt|Yacht]]. They are also jointly releasing music with fellow New York City based label Rong Music, by artists such as Free Blood and Woolfy.<ref>{{cite news|last= |first= |title=Free Blood D.F.A. Records/Rong Music |date=2008-06-23 |publisher=Anthem Magazine |url=http://www.anthemmagazine.com/story/587 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010233104/http://www.anthemmagazine.com/story/587 |archivedate=2008-10-10 |df= }}</ref> The label has also reissued the first two albums by [[Athens, Georgia]] based [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Pylon (band)|Pylon]], the first time they have been available on CD,<ref>{{cite news | last=| first=| title=PYLON - DFA reissues & some shows (like at Merc) | date=2007-10-07 | publisher=Brooklyn Vegan | url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2007/10/pylon_dfa_reiss.html}}</ref> as well as a retrospective collection of tracks by [[Peter Gordon (composer)|Peter Gordon and the Love of Life Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Dale| first=Jon| title=Peter Gordon - Love of Life Orchestra | date=2011-01-14 | publisher=Dusted Magazine | url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6170}}</ref>
As well as Murphy's [[LCD Soundsystem]] the label is currently home to the likes of [[The Juan Maclean]], [[Hot Chip]] (North America only), [[Shit Robot]], [[Gavilán Rayna Russom]], [[Prinzhorn Dance School]], [[Shocking Pinks]], [[Holy Ghost!]], Still Going, Syclops, [[Planningtorock]] and [[Jona Bechtolt|Yacht]]. They are also jointly releasing music with fellow New York City based label Rong Music, by artists such as Free Blood and Woolfy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Free Blood D.F.A. Records/Rong Music |date=June 23, 2008 |publisher=Anthem Magazine |url=http://www.anthemmagazine.com/story/587 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010233104/http://www.anthemmagazine.com/story/587 |archive-date=October 10, 2008 }}</ref> The label has also reissued the first two albums by [[Athens, Georgia]] based [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Pylon (band)|Pylon]], the first time they have been available on CD,<ref>{{cite news | title=PYLON - DFA reissues & some shows (like at Merc) | date=October 7, 2007 | publisher=Brooklyn Vegan | url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2007/10/pylon_dfa_reiss.html}}</ref> as well as a retrospective collection of tracks by [[Peter Gordon (composer)|Peter Gordon and the Love of Life Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Dale| first=Jon| title=Peter Gordon - Love of Life Orchestra | date=January 14, 2011 | publisher=Dusted Magazine | url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6170}}</ref>


The influence of musicians and bands like [[Brian Eno]], [[Talking Heads]], [[Liquid Liquid]], [[ESG (band)|ESG]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[Yazoo (band)|Yazoo]], [[New Order (band)|New Order]], as well as [[Chicago House]], can be heard throughout the DFA catalog.<ref name="keefe">{{cite magazine| last=Keefe |first=Michael |title=Sound of Silver |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/lcd-soundsystem-sound-of-silver/| accessdate = 2009-07-16| date=2007-03-20}}</ref><ref name="sisson">{{cite magazine| last=Sisson |first=Patrick |title=Echoes |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/r/rapture-echoes.shtml| accessdate = 2009-07-16| date=2003-09-11}}</ref><ref name="theakston">{{cite web| last=Theakston |first=Rob |title=The Warning |publisher=''[[AllMusic]]'' |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-warning-r833768| accessdate = 2009-07-16| date=2003-09-11}}</ref> Rather than retread, however, the DFA have taken the live dance music of the time and infused the techniques and themes with a modern aesthetic—alternately faster, heavier, dubbier, noisier, and generally more intense than their influences.
The influence of musicians and bands like [[Brian Eno]], [[Talking Heads]], [[Liquid Liquid]], [[ESG (band)|ESG]], [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[Yazoo (band)|Yazoo]], [[New Order (band)|New Order]], as well as [[Chicago House]], can be heard throughout the DFA catalog.<ref name="keefe">{{cite magazine| last=Keefe |first=Michael |title=Sound of Silver |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/lcd-soundsystem-sound-of-silver/| access-date = July 16, 2009| date=March 20, 2007}}</ref><ref name="sisson">{{cite magazine| last=Sisson |first=Patrick |title=Echoes |magazine=[[PopMatters]] |url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/r/rapture-echoes.shtml| access-date = July 16, 2009| date=September 11, 2003}}</ref><ref name="theakston">{{cite web| last=Theakston |first=Rob |title=The Warning |website=[[AllMusic]] |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-warning-r833768| access-date = July 16, 2009| date=September 11, 2003}}</ref> Rather than retread, however, the DFA have taken the live dance music of the time and infused the techniques and themes with a modern aesthetic—alternately faster, heavier, dubbier, noisier, and generally more intense than their influences{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}.


==Artists==
==Artists==
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*[[Black Dice]]
*[[Black Dice]]
*[[Gavin Russom|Black Meteoric Star]]
*[[Gavin Russom|Black Meteoric Star]]
*[[The Clouds (album)|The Clouds]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://store.dfarecords.com/products/the-clouds-the-clouds-lp?variant=42746920075433 |title=The Clouds - The Clouds LP |publisher=DFA Records |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>
*[[Gavin Russom|The Crystal Ark]]
*[[Gavin Russom|The Crystal Ark]]
*[[Soft (album)|Dan Bodan]]
*[[Soft (album)|Dan Bodan]]
*[[Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom]]
*Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom
*[[Essaie pas]]
*[[Factory Floor]]
*[[Factory Floor]]
*[[Free Energy (band)|Free Energy]]
*[[Free Energy (band)|Free Energy]]
⚫
*[[Gavin Russom]]
*[[Guerilla Toss]]
*[[Guerilla Toss]]
*[[Hercules and Love Affair]]
*[[Hercules and Love Affair]]
Line 63: Line 70:
*[[Hot Chip|Joe Goddard]]
*[[Hot Chip|Joe Goddard]]
*[[The Juan Maclean]]
*[[The Juan Maclean]]
*Larry Gus<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/larrygus/about/?ref=page_internal|title=Larry Gus|author=|date=|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=14 April 2018}}</ref>
*Larry Gus<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/larrygus/about/?ref=page_internal|title=Larry Gus|website=Facebook.com|access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref>
*[[LCD Soundsystem]]
*[[LCD Soundsystem]]
*[[Liquid Liquid]]
*[[Liquid Liquid]]
*Marcus Marr<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Marcus-Marr-109914285713122/info/?tab=page_info|title=Marcus Marr|author=|date=|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=14 April 2018}}</ref>
*Marcus Marr<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Marcus-Marr-109914285713122/info/?tab=page_info|title=Marcus Marr|website=Facebook.com|access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Marie Davidson]]
*[[Mock & Toof]]
*[[Mock & Toof]]
*[[Museum of Love]]
*[[Nils Bech]]
*[[Nils Bech]]
*[[Panthers (band)|Panthers]]
*[[Panthers (band)|Panthers]]
Line 76: Line 85:
*[[Pylon (band)|Pylon]]
*[[Pylon (band)|Pylon]]
*[[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]]
*[[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]]
⚫
*[[Rayna Russom]]
*[[Shit Robot]]
*[[Shit Robot]]
*[[Shocking Pinks]]
*[[Shocking Pinks]]
Line 102: Line 112:
<!-- list is missing the early 12" releases. "losing my edge", etc -->
<!-- list is missing the early 12" releases. "losing my edge", etc -->
*''A New Machine for Living'' by [[Turing Machine (band)|Turing Machine]] (Jade Tree · 2000)
*''A New Machine for Living'' by [[Turing Machine (band)|Turing Machine]] (Jade Tree · 2000)
*''AM Gold'' by [[Zero Zero (band)|Zero Zero]] (Jade Tree · 2001)
*''AM Gold'' by Zero Zero (Jade Tree · 2001)
*''[[Out Of The Races and Onto The Tracks EP|Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks]]'' EP by [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]] (Sub Pop · 2001)
*''[[Out Of The Races and Onto The Tracks EP|Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks]]'' EP by [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]] (Sub Pop · 2001)
*''Gotham'' by [[Radio 4 (band)|Radio 4]] (City Slang · 2002)
*''Gotham'' by [[Radio 4 (band)|Radio 4]] (City Slang · 2002)
*''Automato'' by Automato (co-produced by Phil Mossman) (Coup de Grace · 2003)
*''Automato'' by Automato (co-produced by Phil Mossman) (Coup de Grace · 2003)
*''[[Echoes (The Rapture album)|Echoes]]'' by The Rapture (DFA · 2003)
*''[[Echoes (The Rapture album)|Echoes]]'' by The Rapture (DFA · 2003)
*"El Monte"/"Rise" (single) by [[Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom]] (DFA · 2003)
*"El Monte"/"Rise" (single) by Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom (DFA · 2003)
*"Get Up/Say What" (single) by [[Pixeltan]] (DFA · 2004)
*"Get Up/Say What" (single) by [[Pixeltan]] (DFA · 2004)
*"Kousho" and "Ibasho" by We Acediasts, on ''Pre Acediasts'' EP (Mesh-Key · 2004)
*"Kousho" and "Ibasho" by We Acediasts, on ''Pre Acediasts'' EP (Mesh-Key · 2004)
Line 124: Line 134:
*"Stuck On Nothing" by Free Energy (DFA · 2009)
*"Stuck On Nothing" by Free Energy (DFA · 2009)
*"Simple Things (Work it out)" by Shit Robot (DFA · 2009)
*"Simple Things (Work it out)" by Shit Robot (DFA · 2009)
*''[[This Is Happening]]'' by LCD Soundsystem (DFA · 2010)
*''[[From the Cradle to the Rave]]'' by [[Shit Robot]] (co-produced by [[Marcus Lambkin]]) (DFA · 2010)
*''[[From the Cradle to the Rave]]'' by [[Shit Robot]] (co-produced by [[Marcus Lambkin]]) (DFA · 2010)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
Line 173: Line 182:
*[http://www.discogs.com/label/DFA DFA Records] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
*[http://www.discogs.com/label/DFA DFA Records] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
*[http://www.discogs.com/artist/DFA,+The The DFA] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
*[http://www.discogs.com/artist/DFA,+The The DFA] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]]
*{{youtube|id=_e8rILK6b7E|title=DFA on New York Noise}}
*{{youTube|id=_e8rILK6b7E|title=DFA on New York Noise}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 21:12, 1 November 2024

DFA Records
Founded2001 (2001)
FounderTim Goldsworthy
James Murphy
Jonathan Galkin
Distributor(s)The Orchard (North America), Liberation Music (Australasia), PIAS Group (Rest of World)
Genre
Country of originU.S.
LocationNew York City
Official websitedfarecords.com

DFA Records is an American independent record label based in New York City.

Originally founded in 2001 by Mo' Wax co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, musician James Murphy,[5] and manager Jonathan Galkin.[6] Goldsworth and Murphy were formerly a production team called The DFA, until Goldsworthy left the label.

History

[edit]
Visual projections over DFA logo at a 2014 anniversary party in Los Angeles

James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy met while working in New York on the David Holmes album Let's Get Killed.[7] After the recording was completed, Goldsworthy stayed in New York, and the two began to throw parties in the Lower East Side. They created the production duo, The DFA, but wished to grow The DFA into more than what it was. It was not until they met Jonathan Galkin, who subsequently quit his event-production job to work with James and Tim, that they turned DFA into a label.[6]

DFA Records began on a series of 12" single vinyl releases starting with The Rapture's "House of Jealous Lovers" and The Juan Maclean's "By the Time I Get to Venus". "House of Jealous Lovers" went on to sell 7500 copies.[8] Many of the early releases of DFA's catalog were released in Europe through Trevor Jackson's Output Recordings. After completing production on The Rapture's debut full-length album Echoes, DFA began to shop around the album. Although The Rapture eventually signed to Universal Music Group, the DFA label secured a deal with EMI for distribution of its acts outside the United States, along with several distributors within the U.S.[9]

The label has grown steadily since, producing full-length albums for its ever-growing roster of artists, as well as releasing a selection of singles and compilations on their label. Notable releases include The Rapture's EP "House of Jealous Lovers", the twice-Grammy nominated debut of James Murphy's band LCD Soundsystem and its follow-ups Sound of Silver, This Is Happening and American Dream. DFA have also released a number of compilation albums featuring artists such as The Rapture, The Juan Maclean, Black Dice, Shit Robot, Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, J.O.Y., Pixeltan, Black Leotard Front, Hot Chip, and LCD Soundsystem.

As a production team, the DFA have produced and remixed artists including Radio 4, Le Tigre, N.E.R.D., Soulwax, Blues Explosion, Nine Inch Nails, Automato, Gorillaz, UNKLE, The Chemical Brothers and M.I.A. The DFA remix of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" appeared on A. R. Rahman's Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. They spent an afternoon writing a song with Britney Spears, and were also approached by Janet Jackson to collaborate.[10][11] The production duo effectively came to an end when Tim Goldsworthy left New York and moved back to his native UK.[12] The label was primarily run by Jonathan Galkin and Kris Petersen.[13]

Death From Abroad

[edit]

In 2007 DFA Records started an imprint label titled Death From Abroad. This offshoot is used to release 12" singles by artists not based in North America, such as Mock & Toof and ALTZ.[14] The imprint also released a CD compilation of tracks released on the Berlin based Supersoul Recordings.[15]

Name dispute

[edit]

The label's original name was Death From Above Records, dating from Murphy's nickname for the sound system he had helped build for Six Finger Satellite. This name was deemed inappropriate for a New York City-based label following the September 11, 2001 attacks and subsequently shortened to its abbreviation DFA.

In 2004, DFA Records forced the Canadian duo Death From Above to change their name to Death from Above 1979. Murphy explained his side of the story in a 2005 interview with Pitchfork Media:

We knew about them for a long time, the name thing wasn't a big deal. It wasn't until they signed to a major label, which wouldn't release the record until we signed off on the name. That's how this all came about.... [Parent company of Death From Above 1979's label, Vice] Atlantic's not gonna release a record by a band with the same name as another entity in music.... We spent a lot of money because we didn't just wanna be total fucking assholes and just say no. We were trying to find a way for it to actually work.... I was like, "What the hell's wrong with Death From Above 1979?" But the copyright attorney was like, "No, that's not fine." And I said, "If they become a totally different name, and it delays their record, that's something I'm not comfortable with." So we just tried to make it work as well as possible.[16]

The band would later go on to change their name back to Death from Above in 2017 without any legal repercussions, reverting back to Death from Above 1979 in 2020.[17]

Dispute over finances

[edit]

In 2013 Murphy filed a lawsuit against Goldsworthy, alleging Goldsworthy owed money and had been making unauthorised withdrawals from bank accounts and using the company credit card improperly.[18]

Additionally, in 2020, Galkin was dismissed by Murphy due to concerns regarding finances and maintaining artist relationships. The split was acrimonious and involved legal disputes regarding the removal of Galkin's minority ownership of DFA.[19]

Sound and influence

[edit]

As well as Murphy's LCD Soundsystem the label is currently home to the likes of The Juan Maclean, Hot Chip (North America only), Shit Robot, Gavilán Rayna Russom, Prinzhorn Dance School, Shocking Pinks, Holy Ghost!, Still Going, Syclops, Planningtorock and Yacht. They are also jointly releasing music with fellow New York City based label Rong Music, by artists such as Free Blood and Woolfy.[20] The label has also reissued the first two albums by Athens, Georgia based new wave band Pylon, the first time they have been available on CD,[21] as well as a retrospective collection of tracks by Peter Gordon and the Love of Life Orchestra.[22]

The influence of musicians and bands like Brian Eno, Talking Heads, Liquid Liquid, ESG, Blondie, Yazoo, New Order, as well as Chicago House, can be heard throughout the DFA catalog.[23][24][25] Rather than retread, however, the DFA have taken the live dance music of the time and infused the techniques and themes with a modern aesthetic—alternately faster, heavier, dubbier, noisier, and generally more intense than their influences[citation needed].

Artists

[edit]

Artists who have released music on DFA Records include:

Discography

[edit]

Label

[edit]

Compilations

[edit]

Production

[edit]
The following outlines production credits to The DFA (Murphy and Goldsworthy), and is not a list of recordings released by DFA Records.

Remixes

[edit]
  • "Deceptacon" (DFA remix) for Le Tigre, on Remix (Mr. Lady · 2001)
  • "Orange Alert" (DFA remix) for Metro Area, on "Dance Reaction" (Source · 2002)
  • "Dance to the Underground" (The DFA version) for Radio 4, on "Dance to the Underground" (City Slang · 2002)
  • "Emerge" (DFA version) for Fischerspooner, on "Emerge" (Capitol · 2002)
  • "Destination: Overdrive" (DFA remix) for Chromeo, on "Destination: Overdrive" (Turbo · 2003)
  • "Rise" (DFA remix) for Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, on "El Monte"/"Rise" (DFA · 2003)
  • "In a State" (DFA remix) for UNKLE, on "In a State" (Mo' Wax · 2003)
  • "Shake Your Coconuts" (DFA mix) and (DFA Instrumental mix) for Junior Senior, on "Shake Your Coconuts" (Atlantic · 2003)
  • "Sister Saviour" (DFA remix) and (DFA remix instrumental), and "Echoes" (DFA remix) for The Rapture, on "Sister Saviour" (Output · 2003)
  • "Sunplus" (DFA remix) for J.O.Y., on DFA Compilation #2 (DFA · 2004)
  • "Get Up/Say What" (DFA remix) for Pixeltan, on "Get Up/Say What" (single) (DFA · 2004)
  • "She Wants to Move" (DFA remix) for N.E.R.D., on "She Wants to Move" (Virgin · 2004)
  • "Mars, Arizona" (DFA remix) for Blues Explosion, on "Crunchy" EP (Mute · 2005)
  • "Dare" (DFA remix) for Gorillaz, on "Dare" (Parlophone · 2005)
  • "Another Excuse" (DFA remix) for Soulwax, on "NY Excuse" (PIAS · 2005)
  • "The Hand That Feeds" (DFA remix) for Nine Inch Nails, on "The Hand That Feeds" (DFA remixes) and "Only" (Interscope · 2005)
  • "Just Like We (Breakdown)" (DFA remix) for Hot Chip, on "Over & Over"/"Just Like We (Breakdown)" (Astralwerks · 2005)
  • "Smiling Off" (DFA remix) for Black Dice, on "Smiling Off" (DFA · 2005)
  • "The Boxer" (DFA Version) for The Chemical Brothers, on "The Boxer" (Virgin · 2005)
  • "(Far From) Home" (DFA remix) for Tiga, on "(Far From) Home" (PIAS · 2006)
  • "Colours" (DFA remix) for Hot Chip, on "Colours" (EMI · 2006)
  • "Slide In" (DFA remix) for Goldfrapp, on "Fly Me Away" (Mute · 2006)
  • "Relevee" (DFA remix) for Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, on "Revelee" (DFA · 2006)
  • "Springfield" (DFA Remix) for Arthur Russell, on "Springfield" (Audika · 2006)
  • "My Love" (DFA Remix) for Justin Timberlake, on "My Love" (Zomba · 2006)
  • "Frontline" (DFA Remix) for Captain, on "Frontline" (EMI · 2006)
  • "Paper Planes" (DFA Remix) for M.I.A. on Paper Planes (Homeland Security Remixes) - EP (XL Records - 2008)
  • "Tomorrow" (DFA Remix) for Clinic on "Tomorrow" (Domino Recording Company - 2008)
  • "Love Is Lost" (Hello Steve Reich Mix By James Murphy For The DFA) for David Bowie on The Next Day Extra (Columbia Records - 2013)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b [1] [dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Free Energy – Stuck on Nothing". Billboard. January 9, 2010.
  3. ^ Joffe, Justin (March 30, 2016). "LCD Soundsystem Rises From the Dead to Lead Us Back to the Promised Land". The New York Observer. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  4. ^ [2] [dead link‍]
  5. ^ "DFA Records: An Interview With James Murphy". Free Williamsburg. October 1, 2002. Retrieved August 14, 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ a b "DFA: Sweet Connection". ModularPeople. 2004. Archived from the original on May 26, 2005. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  7. ^ "Label Profile: DFA Records". Junkmedia. June 9, 2004. Archived from the original on October 6, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  8. ^ Romano, Tricia (September 3, 2002). "Prophecy Fulfilled". Village Voice. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  9. ^ Paoletta, Michael (November 13, 2004). "DFA Inches Toward Mainstream". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  10. ^ Reynolds, Simon (October 26, 2004). "House of Zealous Rockers". Village Voice. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
  11. ^ "LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy Snubs Janet Jackson - News - exclaim.ca". Exclaim.ca. October 10, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  12. ^ "Tim Goldsworthy Parts With DFA?". Resident Advisor. February 3, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  13. ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (September 21, 2011). "Behind the scenes at DFA: Jonathan Galkin". Resident Advisor. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  14. ^ Bruno, David (August 2, 2007). "the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (08/02/07)". Brooklyn Vegan.
  15. ^ "DFA teams up with Supersoul". Fact Magazine. May 2, 2008. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008.
  16. ^ Sylvester, Nick (May 9, 2005). "Jukebox: James Murphy". Pitchfork.
  17. ^ "Death From Above 1979 Are Just "Death From Above" Now | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  18. ^ "James Murphy files lawsuit against record label co-founder". 3 News NZ. March 6, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  19. ^ "James Murphy Ousted DFA Records Co-Founder Jonathan Galkin Last Year. What Happened?". Pitchfork. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  20. ^ "Free Blood D.F.A. Records/Rong Music". Anthem Magazine. June 23, 2008. Archived from the original on October 10, 2008.
  21. ^ "PYLON - DFA reissues & some shows (like at Merc)". Brooklyn Vegan. October 7, 2007.
  22. ^ Dale, Jon (January 14, 2011). "Peter Gordon - Love of Life Orchestra". Dusted Magazine.
  23. ^ Keefe, Michael (March 20, 2007). "Sound of Silver". PopMatters. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  24. ^ Sisson, Patrick (September 11, 2003). "Echoes". PopMatters. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  25. ^ Theakston, Rob (September 11, 2003). "The Warning". AllMusic. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  26. ^ "The Clouds - The Clouds LP". DFA Records. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  27. ^ "Larry Gus". Facebook.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  28. ^ "Marcus Marr". Facebook.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
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