Cooking Vinyl

Cooking Vinyl
CherryUK73 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Cooking Vinyl
Founded	1986
Founder	Martin Goldschmidt
Status	Active
Country	United Kingdom
Location	London
Genre	Folk, rock, alternative, metal, electronic, hip hop

Cooking Vinyl

Cooking Vinyl is an independent record company founded in 1986 in London by Martin Goldschmidt. The company has operated across multiple genres, developing a reputation for artist-centric deals and partnerships with major distributors, while engaging with artists from folk and punk to metal and electronic music. Its profile has intersected with prominent artists, independent labels, major distributors, and festival circuits across the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and North America.

History

Cooking Vinyl was established in 1986 amid the independent music boom that included contemporaries such as Factory Records, 4AD, Rough Trade Records, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI. The label's early activities involved signing alternative and folk acts and releasing records that connected with the independent retail network exemplified by Record Store Day era vendors and the distribution infrastructure used by labels like Mute Records and Island Records. In the 1990s and 2000s the company expanded through strategic distribution and licensing arrangements with multinational companies such as Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, while maintaining operational independence akin to other indies like Matador Records and Sub Pop. Cooking Vinyl's leadership navigated shifts from physical media to digital platforms, engaging with streaming services pioneered by entities such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. The label has also been involved in catalog licensing for film and television projects linked with production companies and broadcasters including BBC and Netflix.

Artists and Roster

The roster has encompassed a wide range of artists spanning genres and markets, often signing established acts as well as emerging artists. Notable artists associated with releases through the company or its distributed catalog include The Prodigy, Morrissey, Nick Cave, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Bragg, Rage Against the Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, Lindsey Buckingham, Nile Rodgers, Robert Plant, John Cale, Elvis Costello, Tracy Chapman, Placebo, Soulwax, PJ Harvey, The Charlatans, Tina Turner, Katherine Jenkins, Seasick Steve, Pete Doherty, Roy Harper, Kasey Chambers, Gerry Cinnamon, Sleaford Mods, The Proclaimers, The Amazons, Silversun Pickups, Goldfrapp, Amy Macdonald, Tommy Keene, The Coral, The Dandy Warhols, The Mission, Kim Gordon, Anderson .Paak, Stereophonics, The Cult, Paul Weller, Spin Doctors, The Black Crowes, Skunk Anansie, Dexys Midnight Runners, The Specials, Mondo Generator, Black Sabbath (catalog projects), Iggy Pop, Joan Baez, Elbow, The Veils, The Stranglers, The Undertones, The Damned, Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues and Cradle of Filth. The label's practice of licensing and distribution has led to collaborations with artists from legacy catalogs tied to major acts and solo performers, working alongside management teams, publishers such as BMG, and rights holders including Warner Chappell Music.

Business Model and Partnerships

Cooking Vinyl developed a hybrid business model blending traditional label services with flexible licensing and distribution deals. The company has implemented agreements similar to the artist services deals used by acts who seek alternative arrangements to the standard record contract, comparable to structures used by Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails when negotiating with distributors and platforms. Cooking Vinyl engaged in strategic partnerships with distribution companies including ADA (Alternative Distribution Alliance), The Orchard (company), and international distributors linked to Sony Music and Universal Music Group. The company also established joint-venture arrangements with independent labels and management firms, and pursued sync licensing deals for film, television, and advertising placements with agencies that collaborate with production houses such as A24 and Lionsgate. Financially, the label has diversified revenue by combining physical sales, digital streams, licensing, and direct-to-fan merchandise channels exemplified by platforms like Bandcamp and ticketing partners similar to Ticketmaster for touring support.

Notable Releases and Chart Performance

Cooking Vinyl has been associated with charting releases across the UK Albums Chart, UK Singles Chart, ARIA Charts, and Billboard charts through direct signings, distribution or licensing. High-profile releases that reached national charts include albums connected to legacy artists and contemporary acts that performed strongly on the UK Albums Chart and independent charts similar to UK Independent Singles Chart and UK Independent Albums Chart. The label's catalogue has produced Top 40 albums and singles in the UK and Australia, and placements on the Billboard 200 in the United States through catalog reissues and new releases. Charting successes have been supported by radio plays on broadcasters like BBC Radio 1, Xfm, and Triple J; coverage in print and online outlets such as NME, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian; and festival appearances at events including Glastonbury Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and Lollapalooza.

Subsidiaries and Imprints

Over time Cooking Vinyl has operated or partnered with several imprints and sub-labels to cater to particular genres and markets, mirroring strategies used by companies like Concord Music and Beggars Group. Its network of imprints enabled targeted releases across folk, rock, metal, electronic, and country markets, and allowed collaboration with boutique labels and artist-run imprints. The company also developed distribution deals with independent labels seeking access to larger markets, functioning similarly to services provided by PIAS and Caroline Distribution. These subsidiary relationships facilitated catalog reissues, archival projects, and bespoke vinyl pressings often coordinated with pressing plants and distributors serving collectors and specialty retailers.

Awards and Recognition

Cooking Vinyl and artists on its roster have received industry recognition through awards and nominations associated with bodies such as the BRIT Awards, Mercury Prize, ARIA Music Awards, Grammy Awards, and Ivor Novello Awards when artists' works achieved critical acclaim or commercial success. The label's reputation in the independent sector has been acknowledged in trade coverage by outlets like Music Week and through industry events including panels at MIDEM and SXSW. The company’s catalog and artist partnerships have contributed to honors and placements in year-end critics' lists published by Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Mojo (magazine).

Category:British record labels Category:Independent record labels