One Little Independent Records is a British independent record label with a storied and eclectic history. Founded in the mid-1980s by Derek Birkett, a former member of the anarcho-punk band Flux of Pink Indians, the label has grown over the decades into one of the UK’s most influential indie labels, representing artists across a wide spectrum of genres.
‘80s
The label was initially launched as One Little Indian Records in 1986. Derek Birkett’s background in the punk scene heavily influenced the label's ethos in its formative years, grounding it in DIY, with an anti-establishment spirit. Flux of Pink Indians - a pacifist punk band that called to live consciously and to engage in activism, with a focus on anti-war positions and animal rights - had been associated with Crass Records, a label known for its anarchist values and its position as a launchpad for politically charged bands. Birkett also ran Spiderleg Records from 1981, working with The Epileptics, The Subhumans, Amebix and more.
One Little Indian began by signing experimental, post-punk, and alternative acts, building a reputation for supporting artists on the fringes of the mainstream music industry. During this time, the label worked with bands such as shoegaze pioneers A.R. Kane and acid house legends The Shamen.
‘90s
The 1990s saw a significant growth period for the label. Boss Drum, the Shamen's 1992 album, featured their UK number one single Ebeneezer Goode. Critics gave the album positive feedback and it reached number three on the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in December of that year.
Other artists like Chumbawamba, known for their hit song Tubthumping, joined the roster, adding to the label's visibility and credibility. Chumbawamba’s anarcho-communist leanings led them to a variety of political and social causes including feminism, class struggle and anti-fascism.
Success also came largely due to the signing of Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk in 1993. After leaving The Sugarcubes, Björk’s solo debut, Debut, became a massive success worldwide, establishing her as a ground-breaking solo artist and becoming a multi-platinum seller. Her relationship with One Little Indian not only brought international attention to the label but also solidified its pledge to nurturing unique and unconventional talent. Björk went on to release several successful albums with OLI, including Post (1995), Homogenic (1997), and Vespertine (2001), which defined the label’s public image for years.
During this time, One Little Indian also signed other notable artists, including Skunk Anansie, a grunge rock band with raw and confrontational lyrics, weaving personal pain with political rage. Skunk Anansie achieved success with albums such as Paranoid & Sunburnt (1995) and Stoosh (1996).
OLI established several subsidiary labels over the years, including Clean-up Records, Elemental Records, and FatCat Records. Clean-up Records capitalised on the emerging trip-hop scene, bringing acts like The Sneaker Pimps to a broader audience. Elemental Records honoured the label’s heritage by reissuing key punk and post-punk albums, preserving their legacy for new listeners. They released with the likes of Alabama 3, Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu and Rocket From The Crypt. FatCat Records served as an experimental offshoot that fostered ground-breaking artists in electronic, post-rock, and modern composition music, working with highly influential acts like Sigur Rós, Max Richter, Frightened Rabbit, The Twilight Sad and Animal Collective.
In 1997 and 2001 respectively, the company also acquired some of the old Rough Trade Records and Nude Records labels, and the rights to several albums previously released by spinART Records.
‘00s
In the 2000s, as the music industry began to shift toward digital distribution and streaming, One Little Indian adapted its strategy to sustain its roster and manage emerging trends. The label continued to work with Björk, who remained one of its cornerstone artists, and signed other distinctive musicians, such as Fluke, Emiliana Torrini, Cody ChesnuTT, Daisy Chainsaw, Astrid Williamson and Jesse Malin.
In 2009, Paul McCartney, along with Youth, released the album Electric Arguments under the name of The Fireman through OLI.
‘10s
In the 2010s, OLI began signing artists who brought modern twists to traditional folk sounds or who integrated folk elements with other genres, including Kathryn Williams, Polly Paulusma and Marry Waterson. The label’s folk-oriented roster reflected the broader indie folk revival and the rising interest in introspective, acoustic-driven music during the decade.
In 2012, they released How About I Be Me (and You Be You)?, the ninth full-length album by Irish singer, songwriter, producer and activist Sinéad O'Connor.
Ásgeir, the Icelandic singer-songwriter, signed with OLI in 2013. This allowed for the international release of his debut album Dýrð í dauðaþögn, which was reworked into English as In the Silence with lyrics translated by John Grant. It followed Ásgeir's breakout success in his home country, where the release became the best-selling debut in Icelandic history.
‘20s
In 2020, the label rebranded from One Little Indian to One Little Independent Records. The decision was influenced by a renewed awareness of racial sensitivities. Derek Birkett acknowledged the inappropriate implications of the term “Indian” and released a public statement explaining the rebranding, and that the company would donate money towards organisations which promote and assist Native American communities in North America.
With the rebrand, the label recommitted themselves to promoting socially aware, genre-bending music and to creating a more inclusive environment in the industry. The move was well-received by both the label’s artists and the broader music community.
One Little Independent remains as active as ever, with a roster that includes both emerging and established artists across various practices. They currently release new material by artists such as Arny Margret, Ásgeir, Bad Breeding, Delilah Holliday, Glasser, Galya Bisengalieva, Laura Misch, Nadah El Shazly, Penelope Trappes, Poppy Ackroyd, Tusks, and more.
The label continues to release Björk’s work and have been key to solidifying her reputation as a multidisciplinary artist who, time and again, innovates across music, art, fashion, and technology. From writing, arranging, and producing an expansive music catalogue to her collaborations with scientists, app developers, writers, inventors, musicians, and instrument makers, Björk continues to inspire and experiment, redefining the boundaries of what it means to be a musician.
The label’s relationship with Crass Records continues with reissue campaigns working to restore and remaster much of the Crass catalogue as well as the adjacent anarcho-punk bands on their own label, including Honey Bane, Zounds, Omega Tribe, Annie Anxiety, Captain Sensible and more.
The label's fostering of creativity and independence in music has allowed it to maintain its relevance for nearly four decades. One Little Independent is celebrated not just for the artists it has championed but for its resilience in a rapidly changing music industry. It has stayed true to its core principles - supporting individual expression and the creativity of signees that push the boundaries of their respective, often left-field, disciplines - while committing to social, political, and environmentally conscious causes. One Little Independent’s story reflects the journey of a record label that has continually worked without compromise; from punk roots to fostering some of the world’s most innovative artists, its influence on music history remains profound.