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{{short description|American record label}}
{{Infobox record label
{{Infobox record label
| name = Vagrant Records
| name = Vagrant Records
| image = [[File:Vagrant Logo.svg]]
| image = Vagrant Logo.svg
| image_bg =
| image_bg =
| parent = [[BMG Rights Management]]
| parent = [[BMG Rights Management]]
| founded = 1996
| founded = 1996
| founder = [[Rich Egan]], Jon Cohen
| founder = [[Rich Egan]], Jon Cohen
| distributor = [[Universal Music Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bmg-forms-alliance-with-universal-sets-plan-to-move-physical-distro-to-umgs-commercial-services-division12/|date=19 October 2023|website=musicbusinessworldwide.com |title=BMG forms alliance with Universal Music Group; plans to move physical distribution to UMG's Commercial Services division }}</ref> (physical) <br> [[BMG Rights Management]] (digital)
| distributor = [[Warner Music Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7350142/warner-music-ada-global-deal-bmg-catalog-blink-182}}</ref>
| genre = [[Emo]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[indie rock]], [[alternative rock]], [[post-hardcore]]
| genre = Various
| country = US
| country = United States
| location = [[Santa Monica, California]]
| location = [[Santa Monica, California]]
| url = {{url|www.vagrant.com}}
| url = {{URL|vagrant.com}}
}}
}}
'''Vagrant Records''' is a [[record label]] based in Los Angeles, California founded in 1995 by Rich Egan, and is currently run by President Jon Cohen. The label is home to artists such as [[The 1975]], [[Death Spells]], [[Eels (band)|Eels]], [[Bad Suns]], [[Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes]], [[CRUISR]], [[Active Child]], [[PJ Harvey]], [[School of Seven Bells]], [[Black Rebel Motorcycle Club]], [[James Vincent McMorrow]], [[Black Joe Lewis]], [[Wake Owl]], [[Blitzen Trapper]], [[Bombay Bicycle Club]], and more. The label’s original roots were in punk rock, pop punk, and emo and included artists such as [[Dashboard Confessional]], [[Saves The Day]], [[The Get Up Kids]], and [[Alkaline Trio]].
'''Vagrant Records''' is an American [[record label]] based in [[California]].<ref name="sacher">{{cite web|last=Sacher|first=Andrew|title=Vagrant Records launches 25th anniversary campaign w/ reissues, a podcast & more|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/vagrant-records-launches-25th-anniversary-campaign-w-reissues-a-podcast-more/|work=[[Brooklyn Vegan]]|date=May 19, 2021|access-date=May 23, 2021}}</ref> It was founded in 1995 by Rich Egan and Jon Cohen. The label focuses on [[rock music|rock]], but features artists in a variety of other genres including [[folk music|folk]], [[soul music|soul]], [[electronic music|electronic]], and [[pop music|pop]]. It is home to artists such as [[The 1975]], [[Death Spells]], [[Eels (band)|Eels]], [[Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes]], [[CRUISR]], [[Active Child]], [[PJ Harvey]], [[School of Seven Bells]], [[Black Rebel Motorcycle Club]], [[James Vincent McMorrow]], [[Black Joe Lewis]], [[Wake Owl]], [[Blitzen Trapper]], and [[Bombay Bicycle Club]]. Originally, Vagrant Records was mostly focused on [[emo]] bands such as [[Dashboard Confessional]], [[Saves the Day]], [[The Get Up Kids]], [[Senses Fail]], and [[Alkaline Trio]]. The label is considered one of the [[pre-eminent]] labels of the [[emo]] music scene.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kerrang.com/25-years-of-vagrant-records-the-label-that-accidentally-took-emo-to-the-mainstream | title=25 Years of Vagrant Records: The label that accidentally took emo to… | date=4 November 2021 }}</ref>


In 2014, Vagrant was acquired by [[BMG Rights Management]].<ref>{{cite web|title=US: BMG Acquires Vagrant Records|url=https://www.bmg.com/us/news/us-bmg-acquires-vagrant-records.html|work=[[BMG Rights Management]]|date=November 17, 2014|access-date=May 23, 2021}}</ref> Co-founder Jon Cohen then became BMG's executive vice president of recorded music,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/bmg-acquires-vagrant-records|title=BMG acquires Vagrant Records - Complete Music Update|website=www.completemusicupdate.com}}</ref> until he left the company in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/jon-cohen-out-at-bmg/069866|title=Jon Cohen out at BMG|website=www.musicweek.com}}</ref> It remains to be distributed autonomously (outside of BMG's main distribution partner Warner Music Group), by affiliated labels in selected countries.
It was acquired by [[BMG Rights Management]] in 2014.<ref>http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/bmg-acquires-vagrant-records/</ref>


==History==
==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2021}}
The first band signed by Vagrant Records was Boxer and their album, ''The Hurt Process'', was released on May 5, 1998. The pop-punk album notably featured drummer Chris Pennie, who would go on to play with [[Dillinger Escape Plan]] and [[Coheed and Cambria]].
The first band signed by Vagrant Records was Boxer and their album, ''The Hurt Process'', released on May 5, 1998. The pop-punk album notably featured drummer [[Chris Pennie]], who would go on to play with [[Dillinger Escape Plan]] and [[Coheed and Cambria]].


===The Get Up Kids===
===The Get Up Kids===
In 1999, Vagrant Records signed Kansas City, Missouri, band, [[The Get Up Kids]], and the band's Vagrant debut, ''[[Something to Write Home About]]'', was released in September 1999. Egan and Cohen borrowed US$50,000 from Cohen's parents to fund the recording of the Get Up Kids album, derived from the mortgaging of the family house.<ref>[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]] Issue 204 "Say Goodnight, Mean Goodbye: The Oral History of The Get Up Kids"</ref> The album was wildly successful, and single-handedly made Vagrant Records one of the top independent labels in the country.<ref>{{Citation |last=Paul |first=Aubin |title=About Vagrant Records |url=http://www.punknews.org/labels/vagrant |publisher=''Punk News'' |date= |accessdate=2008-03-02}}</ref><ref name="Post">{{Citation |last=Grubbs |first=Eric |title=Post: A Look at the Influence of Post-Hardcore-1985-2007 |publisher=[[iUniverse]] |year=2008 |pages=224–266 |isbn=0-595-51835-4}}</ref>
In 1999, Vagrant Records signed Kansas City, Missouri, band, [[The Get Up Kids]], and the band's Vagrant debut, ''[[Something to Write Home About]]'', was released in September 1999. Egan and Cohen borrowed $50,000 from Cohen's parents to fund the recording of the Get Up Kids album, derived from the mortgaging of the family house.<ref>[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]] Issue 204 "Say Goodnight, Mean Goodbye: The Oral History of The Get Up Kids"</ref> The album was wildly successful, and single-handedly made Vagrant Records one of the top independent labels in the country.<ref>{{Citation |last=Paul |first=Aubin |title=About Vagrant Records |url=http://www.punknews.org/labels/vagrant |publisher=Punk News |access-date=2008-03-02}}</ref><ref name="Post">{{Citation |last=Grubbs |first=Eric |title=Post: A Look at the Influence of Post-Hardcore-1985-2007 |publisher=[[iUniverse]] |year=2008 |pages=224–266 |isbn=978-0-595-51835-7}}</ref>


===Rapid growth===
===Rapid growth===
They signed Los Angeles punk rock trio [[Automatic 7]] and released the bands 2nd album "Begger's Life" on July 25, 2000.They followed this by signing and releasing albums from heavyweights in the emo scene like [[Alkaline Trio]], [[Saves the Day]], and [[Dashboard Confessional]]. Dashboard Confessional's video for "Screaming Infidelities", directed by Maureen Egan and Matthew Barry, earned Vagrant the MTV2 award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.<ref>{{Citation |last=Heller |first=Greg |title=Bands Seek Emotional Rescue |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2000/09/10/PK92338.DTL |publisher=''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' |date=2000-09-10 |accessdate=2008-03-02}}</ref> Rich Egan is cited as saying the MTV Video Music Award win "changed everything" for the label.
They signed Los Angeles punk rock trio [[Automatic 7]] and released the band's 2nd album ''Begger's Life'' on July 25, 2000. They followed this by signing and releasing albums from heavyweights in the emo scene like [[Alkaline Trio]], [[Saves the Day]], and [[Dashboard Confessional]]. In June 2001, the label signed a distribution deal with JCOR Records, which in turn was distributed by [[Universal Records]]. It allowed Vagrant's releases to be available in stores via Universal's distribution methods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/1609/the-vagrant-gets-major-rumor-is-not-true|title=The Vagrant-gets-major-rumor is Not True!|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=June 29, 2001|accessdate=February 10, 2021}}</ref> In March 2002, the label made a distribution deal with [[Festival Mushroom Records]], who would handled Vagrant's releases in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/2908/vagrant-in-oz|title=Vagrant in Oz|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=March 4, 2002|accessdate=February 16, 2021}}</ref> Vagrant would later enter into a deal with [[Interscope Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/15724/interviews-buddy-nielsen-of-senses-fail|title=Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail|work=Punknews.org|publisher=Aubin Paul|author=August, Justin|date=February 12, 2006|accessdate=May 21, 2018}}</ref> In June 2002, the label signed a deal with [[Motor Music]], which handled distribution and promotion for Vagrant's releases in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/3719/vagrant-installs-one-of-those-fancy-german-motors|title=Vagrant installs one of those fancy German Motors|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=June 18, 2002|accessdate=February 27, 2021}}</ref> Dashboard Confessional's video for ''Screaming Infidelities'', directed by Maureen Egan and Matthew Barry, earned Vagrant the MTV2 award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.<ref>{{Citation |last=Heller |first=Greg |title=Bands Seek Emotional Rescue |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2000/09/10/PK92338.DTL |publisher=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=2000-09-10 |access-date=2008-03-02}}</ref> Rich Egan is cited as saying the MTV Video Music Award win "changed everything" for the label.


===Paul Westerberg===
===Paul Westerberg===
The label then went on to release solo material from [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]] frontman, [[Paul Westerberg]], signifying an initial departure from its roots of nineties punk and [[Emo (music)|emo]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Paul Westerberg Returns On Vagrant|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77171/exclusive-paul-westerberg-returns-on-vagrant|work=Billboard.com|publisher=Rovi Corporation|accessdate=1 September 2012|author=Billboard.com|year=2012}}</ref>
The label then went on to release solo material from [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]] frontman, [[Paul Westerberg]], signifying an initial departure from its roots of nineties punk and [[Emo (music)|emo]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Paul Westerberg Returns On Vagrant|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77171/exclusive-paul-westerberg-returns-on-vagrant|work=Billboard.com|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=1 September 2012|author=Billboard.com|year=2012}}</ref>


===Genre diversification===
===Genre diversification===
They soon signed [[EELS (band)|Eels]] and released their album [[Blinking Lights and Other Revelations]]. In 2005 the label acquired New York City indie label [[Startime International]], with whom they co-released albums from [[The French Kicks]] and [[The Futureheads]]. During that time Vagrant signed [[The Hold Steady]] and [[The Lemonheads]].
They soon signed [[EELS (band)|Eels]] and released their album [[Blinking Lights and Other Revelations]]. In 2005, the label acquired New York City indie label [[Startime International]], with whom they co-released albums from [[The French Kicks]] and [[The Futureheads]]. During that time, Vagrant signed [[The Hold Steady]] and [[The Lemonheads]].


===Poquito Records===
===Poquito Records===
In 2006 Vagrant formed a children's label imprint, [[Poquito Records]] and released Vagrant artist [[The New Amsterdams]]' side-project [[The Terrible Twos]]' debut album "[[If You Ever See an Owl]]".
In 2006, Vagrant formed a children's label imprint, Poquito Records, and released Vagrant artist [[The New Amsterdams]]' side-project [[The Terrible Twos]]' debut album ''[[If You Ever See an Owl]]''.


===Density Records===
===Density Records===
In 2007 Vagrant formed another imprint label, [[Density Records]], which will release heavier material than has traditionally been released on the label.
In April 2007, Vagrant formed another imprint label, Density Records, which will release heavier material than has traditionally been released on the label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/23206/vagrant-launches-heavy-music-imprint|title=Vagrant launches 'heavy music' imprint|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=April 12, 2007|access-date=February 14, 2022}}</ref>


On August 5, 2009, [[Rammstein]], the [[Berlin]]-based [[industrial metal]] sextet, well known for its controversial and fiery live performances, signed a US marketing and distribution deal with Vagrant Records.<ref>http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=124741</ref>
On August 5, 2009, [[Rammstein]], the [[Berlin]]-based [[industrial metal]] sextet, signed a US marketing and distribution deal with Vagrant Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/page-not-found|title=Roadrunner Records Page Not Found|website=Roadrunner Records Official Website}}</ref>


==Current bands==
==Current bands==
Line 43: Line 45:
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Active Child]]
*[[Active Child]]
⚫
*[[Alexander (band)|Alexander]]
⚫
*[[Albert Hammond, Jr.]]
⚫
*[[Alexander]]
⚫
*[[Bad Suns]]
⚫
*[[Balance and Composure]]
*[[Band of Skulls]]
*[[Band of Skulls]]
*[[Benjamin Francis Leftwich]]
*[[Benjamin Francis Leftwich]]
*[[Black Rebel Motorcycle Club]]
*[[Black Rebel Motorcycle Club]]
*[[Blitzen Trapper]]
*[[Blitzen Trapper]]
⚫
*[[Bombay Bicycle Club]] (US)
*[[Brooke Fraser]]
*[[Brooke Fraser]]
*[[Art History (album)|California Wives]]
*[[Art History (album)|California Wives]]
⚫
*[[City and Colour]]
*[[CRUISR]]
*[[CRUISR]]
*[[Death Spells]]
*[[Death Spells]]
*Dive In
*[[Dustin Kensrue]]
*[[Dustin Kensrue]]
*[[Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros]]
*[[Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros]]
*[[Eels (band)|Eels]]
*[[Eels (band)|Eels]]
*[[The Elected]]
*[[The Elected]]

⚫
{{col-2}}
*[[French Kicks]]
*[[French Kicks]]
*[[The Grates]]
*[[The Grates]]
*[[The Hold Steady]]
*[[The Hold Steady]]
*[[LP (singer)|LP]]

⚫
{{col-2}}
*[[John Gold]]
⚫
*[[J Roddy Walston and the Business]]
⚫
*[[Justin Townes Earle]]
*[[Mayer Hawthorne]]
*[[Mayer Hawthorne]]
*[[Missy Higgins]]
*[[Missy Higgins]]
Line 76: Line 70:
*[[Pete Yorn]]
*[[Pete Yorn]]
*[[PJ Harvey]]
*[[PJ Harvey]]
⚫
*[[Placebo (band)|Placebo]]
*[[Reptar (band)|Reptar]]
*[[Reptar (band)|Reptar]]
*[[Rogue Wave (band)|Rogue Wave]]
*[[Rogue Wave (band)|Rogue Wave]]
⚫
*[[School of Seven Bells]]
*[[Sublime with Rome]] (Europe)
*[[Sublime with Rome]] (Europe)
*[[Thrice]]
*[[The Terrible Twos]]
*[[Wake Owl]]
*[[Wake Owl]]
*[[The 1975]]
*[[The 1975]]
Line 92: Line 84:
{{Expand section|date=November 2007}}
{{Expand section|date=November 2007}}
*[[Ace Enders and a Million Different People]]
*[[Ace Enders and a Million Different People]]
⚫
*[[Albert Hammond Jr.]]
*[[Alkaline Trio]]
*[[Alkaline Trio]]
*[[Alexisonfire]]
*[[Alexisonfire]]
Line 99: Line 92:
*[[Audio Learning Center]]
*[[Audio Learning Center]]
*[[Automatic 7]]
*[[Automatic 7]]
⚫
*[[Bad Suns]]
⚫
*[[Balance and Composure]]
*[[Biology (band)|Biology]]
*[[Biology (band)|Biology]]
*[[The Bled]]
*[[The Bled]]
*[[Bloc Party]]
⚫
*[[Bombay Bicycle Club]]
*[[Boxer (band)|Boxer]]
*[[Boxer (band)|Boxer]]
⚫
*[[Dallas Green (musician)|City and Colour]]
*[[The Comas]]
*[[The Comas]]
*[[A Cursive Memory]]
*[[A Cursive Memory]]
*[[Dashboard Confessional]]
*[[Dashboard Confessional]]
*[[Down To Earth Approach]]
*[[Dr. Manhattan (band)|Dr Manhattan]]
*[[Dr. Manhattan (band)|Dr Manhattan]]
*[[Electric Owls]]
*[[Emanuel (band)|Emanuel]]
*[[Emanuel (band)|Emanuel]]
*[[Face to Face (punk band)|Face to Face]]
*[[Face to Face (punk band)|Face to Face]]
Line 115: Line 111:
*[[The Futureheads]]
*[[The Futureheads]]
*[[The Get Up Kids]]
*[[The Get Up Kids]]
*[[Gotohells]]

{{col-2}}

*[[Hey Mercedes]]
*[[Hey Mercedes]]
*[[The Hippos]]
*[[The Hippos]]
*[[The Hold Steady]]
*[[Horse the Band]]
*[[Horse the Band]]
*[[Hot Rod Circuit]]
*[[Hot Rod Circuit]]
*[[The (International) Noise Conspiracy]]
*[[The (International) Noise Conspiracy]]
⚫
*[[J. Roddy Walston and the Business]]
*[[John Ralston (musician)|John Ralston]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_367|title=Vagrant signs John Ralston|work=Alternative Press|date=January 20, 2006|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
*[[John Ralston (musician)|John Ralston]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_367|title=Vagrant signs John Ralston|work=Alternative Press|date=January 20, 2006|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Justin Townes Earle]]
*[[Koufax (band)|Koufax]]
*[[Koufax (band)|Koufax]]
*[[The Lemonheads]]
*[[The Lemonheads]]
Line 134: Line 129:
*[[No Motiv]]
*[[No Motiv]]
*[[Olivia Broadfield]]
*[[Olivia Broadfield]]
⚫
*[[Protest the Hero]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_373|title=Protest The Hero sign to Vagrant, touring with the Fall Of Troy|work=Alternative Press|date=January 24, 2006|access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
*[[Ocuban]]
⚫
*[[Protest the Hero]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_373|title=Protest The Hero sign to Vagrant, touring with the Fall Of Troy|work=Alternative Press|date=January 24, 2006|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
*[[Paul Westerberg]]
*[[Paul Westerberg]]
⚫
*[[Placebo (band)|Placebo]]
*[[Reggie and the Full Effect]]
*[[Reggie and the Full Effect]]
*[[Rocket From The Crypt]]
*[[Rocket From The Crypt]]
*[[Saves the Day]]
*[[Saves the Day]]
⚫
*[[School of Seven Bells]]
*Saturnalia
*[[School Boy Humor]]
*[[Senses Fail]]
*[[Senses Fail]]
*[[So Many Dynamos]]
*[[So Many Dynamos]]
*[[Stars (Canadian band)|Stars]] (except Canada)
*[[Stars (Canadian band)|Stars]] (except Canada)
*[[Thrice]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bringthenoise.com/blog/thrice-have-officially-signed-to-epitaph-records|title=THRICE OFFICIALLY SIGN TO EPITAPH RECORDS, SHARE NEW SINGLE & ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR WITH THE BRONX|work=The Noise|date=June 5, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Two Tongues]]
*[[Two Tongues]]
*[[Viva Death]]
*[[Viva Death]]
*[[Warship (band)|Warship]]
*[[Warship (band)|Warship]]
*[[Waylon Jennings|Waylon Jennings & The .357's]]


{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
Line 158: Line 154:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Vagrant Records}}
* [http://www.vagrant.com/ Vagrant Records]
* [http://www.vagrant.com/ Vagrant Records]

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:American record labels]]
[[Category:American record labels]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1996]]
[[Category:Record labels established in 1996]]
[[Category:Alternative rock record labels]]
[[Category:Alternative rock record labels]]
[[Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group]]
[[Category:Punk record labels]]
[[Category:Punk record labels]]

Latest revision as of 13:36, 23 December 2024

Vagrant Records
Parent companyBMG Rights Management
Founded1996
FounderRich Egan, Jon Cohen
Distributor(s)Universal Music Group[1] (physical)
BMG Rights Management (digital)
GenreEmo, punk, indie rock, alternative rock, post-hardcore
Country of originUnited States
LocationSanta Monica, California
Official websitevagrant.com

Vagrant Records is an American record label based in California.[2] It was founded in 1995 by Rich Egan and Jon Cohen. The label focuses on rock, but features artists in a variety of other genres including folk, soul, electronic, and pop. It is home to artists such as The 1975, Death Spells, Eels, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, CRUISR, Active Child, PJ Harvey, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, James Vincent McMorrow, Black Joe Lewis, Wake Owl, Blitzen Trapper, and Bombay Bicycle Club. Originally, Vagrant Records was mostly focused on emo bands such as Dashboard Confessional, Saves the Day, The Get Up Kids, Senses Fail, and Alkaline Trio. The label is considered one of the pre-eminent labels of the emo music scene.[3]

In 2014, Vagrant was acquired by BMG Rights Management.[4] Co-founder Jon Cohen then became BMG's executive vice president of recorded music,[5] until he left the company in September 2017.[6] It remains to be distributed autonomously (outside of BMG's main distribution partner Warner Music Group), by affiliated labels in selected countries.

History

[edit]

The first band signed by Vagrant Records was Boxer and their album, The Hurt Process, released on May 5, 1998. The pop-punk album notably featured drummer Chris Pennie, who would go on to play with Dillinger Escape Plan and Coheed and Cambria.

The Get Up Kids

[edit]

In 1999, Vagrant Records signed Kansas City, Missouri, band, The Get Up Kids, and the band's Vagrant debut, Something to Write Home About, was released in September 1999. Egan and Cohen borrowed $50,000 from Cohen's parents to fund the recording of the Get Up Kids album, derived from the mortgaging of the family house.[7] The album was wildly successful, and single-handedly made Vagrant Records one of the top independent labels in the country.[8][9]

Rapid growth

[edit]

They signed Los Angeles punk rock trio Automatic 7 and released the band's 2nd album Begger's Life on July 25, 2000. They followed this by signing and releasing albums from heavyweights in the emo scene like Alkaline Trio, Saves the Day, and Dashboard Confessional. In June 2001, the label signed a distribution deal with JCOR Records, which in turn was distributed by Universal Records. It allowed Vagrant's releases to be available in stores via Universal's distribution methods.[10] In March 2002, the label made a distribution deal with Festival Mushroom Records, who would handled Vagrant's releases in Australia.[11] Vagrant would later enter into a deal with Interscope Records.[12] In June 2002, the label signed a deal with Motor Music, which handled distribution and promotion for Vagrant's releases in Germany.[13] Dashboard Confessional's video for Screaming Infidelities, directed by Maureen Egan and Matthew Barry, earned Vagrant the MTV2 award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.[14] Rich Egan is cited as saying the MTV Video Music Award win "changed everything" for the label.

Paul Westerberg

[edit]

The label then went on to release solo material from The Replacements frontman, Paul Westerberg, signifying an initial departure from its roots of nineties punk and emo.[15]

Genre diversification

[edit]

They soon signed Eels and released their album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations. In 2005, the label acquired New York City indie label Startime International, with whom they co-released albums from The French Kicks and The Futureheads. During that time, Vagrant signed The Hold Steady and The Lemonheads.

Poquito Records

[edit]

In 2006, Vagrant formed a children's label imprint, Poquito Records, and released Vagrant artist The New Amsterdams' side-project The Terrible Twos' debut album If You Ever See an Owl.

Density Records

[edit]

In April 2007, Vagrant formed another imprint label, Density Records, which will release heavier material than has traditionally been released on the label.[16]

On August 5, 2009, Rammstein, the Berlin-based industrial metal sextet, signed a US marketing and distribution deal with Vagrant Records.[17]

Current bands

[edit]

Former bands

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "BMG forms alliance with Universal Music Group; plans to move physical distribution to UMG's Commercial Services division". musicbusinessworldwide.com. 19 October 2023.
  2. ^ Sacher, Andrew (May 19, 2021). "Vagrant Records launches 25th anniversary campaign w/ reissues, a podcast & more". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "25 Years of Vagrant Records: The label that accidentally took emo to…". 4 November 2021.
  4. ^ "US: BMG Acquires Vagrant Records". BMG Rights Management. November 17, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "BMG acquires Vagrant Records - Complete Music Update". www.completemusicupdate.com.
  6. ^ "Jon Cohen out at BMG". www.musicweek.com.
  7. ^ Alternative Press Issue 204 "Say Goodnight, Mean Goodbye: The Oral History of The Get Up Kids"
  8. ^ Paul, Aubin, About Vagrant Records, Punk News, retrieved 2008-03-02
  9. ^ Grubbs, Eric (2008), Post: A Look at the Influence of Post-Hardcore-1985-2007, iUniverse, pp. 224–266, ISBN 978-0-595-51835-7
  10. ^ White, Adam (June 29, 2001). "The Vagrant-gets-major-rumor is Not True!". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  11. ^ White, Adam (March 4, 2002). "Vagrant in Oz". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  12. ^ August, Justin (February 12, 2006). "Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  13. ^ White, Adam (June 18, 2002). "Vagrant installs one of those fancy German Motors". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  14. ^ Heller, Greg (2000-09-10), Bands Seek Emotional Rescue, San Francisco Chronicle, retrieved 2008-03-02
  15. ^ Billboard.com (2012). "Exclusive: Paul Westerberg Returns On Vagrant". Billboard.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  16. ^ Paul, Aubin (April 12, 2007). "Vagrant launches 'heavy music' imprint". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  17. ^ "Roadrunner Records Page Not Found". Roadrunner Records Official Website. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  18. ^ "Vagrant signs John Ralston". Alternative Press. January 20, 2006. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  19. ^ "Protest The Hero sign to Vagrant, touring with the Fall Of Troy". Alternative Press. January 24, 2006. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  20. ^ "THRICE OFFICIALLY SIGN TO EPITAPH RECORDS, SHARE NEW SINGLE & ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR WITH THE BRONX". The Noise. June 5, 2018.
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