Double Six Records

Double Six Records
source
Name	Double Six Records
Parent	Domino Recording Company
Founded	2005
Founder	Domino Recording Company
Status	Active
Genre	Indie rock, electronic, experimental, folk, pop, jazz
Country	United Kingdom
Location	London

Double Six Records is an imprint founded in 2005 as a subsidiary of Domino Recording Company to showcase a cross-section of indie, electronic, experimental and genre-spanning artists. The label cultivated acts that often intersected with contemporary scenes centered in London, New York City, and continental hubs such as Berlin and Paris, positioning itself between boutique boutique micro-labels and established major-label distribution networks like Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Double Six became known for curating a roster that included established musicians, emerging producers, and collaborative projects linked to music festivals and venues such as Glastonbury Festival and South by Southwest.

History

Double Six Records launched in the mid-2000s amid a wave of independent expansion following the success of labels like Rough Trade Records and 4AD. Early activity coincided with the rise of digital distribution platforms exemplified by iTunes and social networks like Myspace, which altered promotional strategies for labels and bands. The imprint capitalized on Domino’s distribution partnerships with entities such as PIAS and major physical retailers across the United Kingdom and United States. Over the 2010s, Double Six adapted to streaming-led markets driven by Spotify and Apple Music while maintaining vinyl and limited-edition releases appealing to collectors associated with Record Store Day. The label navigated industry shifts alongside contemporaries including Matador Records, XL Recordings, and Sub Pop.

Artists and roster

Double Six’s roster has combined solo songwriters, electronic producers, and collaborative ensembles. Artists rostered or released through the imprint have included names with links to influential projects and personalities: singer-songwriters who toured with acts like The xx and Arctic Monkeys, producers affiliated with Kompakt and Ninja Tune circles, and veterans connected to scenes around Roxy Music and Talk Talk. The imprint also issued projects by artists who collaborated with producers tied to Brian Eno-adjacent ambient work and remixers associated with Theo Parrish and Four Tet. Several roster members appeared on festival bills alongside Coachella, Primavera Sound, and Field Day performers. Double Six fostered cross-pollination between artists linked to labels such as Domino, Warp Records, and Stones Throw.

Releases and notable albums

Double Six issued a mix of full-length albums, EPs, and limited-press singles, some of which attracted critical attention in publications like NME, Pitchfork, and The Guardian. Notable releases included debut albums that earned coverage on BBC programs such as BBC Radio 6 Music and sessions at BBC Radio 1. Vinyl pressings of certain albums became sought-after among collectors who also follow releases from Mo' Wax and Factory Records. The label’s catalog spans collaborations with producers who worked with artists like Sufjan Stevens, PJ Harvey, and Bon Iver, and its compilations have featured tracks from contributors associated with remixes by Thom Yorke collaborators and indie stalwarts who have performed at venues including Roundhouse and Royal Albert Hall.

Label imprint and operations

Operating as an imprint within Domino Recording Company, Double Six leveraged the parent’s A&R, distribution, and publicity networks while maintaining distinct artistic direction. The imprint coordinated manufacturing with pressing plants servicing labels across Europe and North America, and managed sync licensing efforts for placement in television series produced by companies such as BBC Television and streaming platforms with catalog use reminiscent of placements on Netflix soundtracks. Publicity campaigns often intersected with music journalists from The Independent and broadcasters tied to XFM (now Radio X). Strategic partnerships included collaborations with boutique merchandise producers and independent distributors active in markets from Japan to Australia.

Influence and legacy

Double Six’s influence is observable in how boutique imprints curated eclectic rosters that blurred lines between indie rock, electronic, and experimental pop throughout the 2000s and 2010s—a trajectory followed by labels such as Captured Tracks and Jagjaguwar. The imprint contributed to the careers of artists who later toured internationally with bands like The National and Arcade Fire or collaborated with producers linked to Danger Mouse and Mark Ronson. Its legacy includes fostering a model for parent-label imprints to incubate niche projects while benefiting from major independent distribution frameworks exemplified by Domino Recording Company’s global reach. Collectors, critics, and music historians often reference Double Six in surveys of early-21st-century indie sublabels alongside entries for Heavenly Recordings and Bella Union.

Category:British record labels Category:Independent record labels