Owsla

For the Fall of Efrafa album, see Owsla (album).
Owsla
Parent companyWarner Music Group
FoundedAugust 17, 2011 (2011-08-17)
FounderSkrillex
Distributor(s)Atlantic Records[1]
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles, California
Official websiteowsla.com

Owsla (stylized in all caps) is an American record label and creative collective.[6][7] It was founded by Skrillex, Tim Smith, Kathryn Frazier, and Clayton Blaha in 2011.[8] Skrillex announced the label on August 17, 2011. The label's first release was Porter Robinson's Spitfire.[9]

The name "Owsla" is a reference to Richard Adams' fantasy novel Watership Down, in which it refers to the governing caste in a society of anthropomorphic rabbits.[10]

History

In 2012, Owsla launched a monthly subscription, The Nest, with benefits including early access to Owsla releases.[11] In 2013, Bromance Records partnered up with Owsla to create an American branch titled Bromance US with releases from Gesaffelstein, Illangelo, Brodinski and LOUISAHHH!!!.[12] A year later, Owsla launched the Nestivus Charity Campaign, a series of holiday initiatives with all proceeds going to the international music nonprofit, Bridges for Music.[13]

On September 18, 2016, Owsla celebrated five years of establishment with a party in Los Angeles. In a video published by Owsla, Skrillex spoke about the establishment.[14] He said "I make music 'cause I love music and it all starts from there. And I surround myself with good people that I believe in as well. I think it’s important to create your family."[6] The General Manager of Owsla, Blaise DeAngelo asserted that Skrillex previously, like many other artists, had issues with record labels, implying that it caused him to create his own. Owsla was described as a label started for electronic music artists who "couldn’t get good label deals or resources and support they needed."[15]

Porter Robinson's Spitfire was the label's debut release. Releases that followed, such as Zedd’s Shave It, Gesaffelstein’s Aleph and What So Not’s Jaguar, were described as prominent.[15] Owsla Head of A&R Chris Morris explained that "In order for an artist to be signed, there has to be that passion from the top down," asserting that it is an "artist-driven" company.[16] On May 5, 2017, Owsla released an annual compilation album, Howsla.[17][18] It was described by Pitchfork as "a focused take that’s largely modeled on bassline house, a style from the northern UK that’s distinguished by greasy low-end melodies, hard-thwacked drums, and a slippery, skippy sense of swing."[19] Subsidiaries of Owsla include Nest HQ, a website dedicated to giving exposure to electronic music artists and Owsla Goods, a 'fashion wing'.[20]

Key people

  • Sonny Moore (Skrillex) – founder, chief executive officer[15]
  • Tim Smith – co-founder, artist manager[15][21]
  • Kathryn Frazier – co-founder, publicist[15][21]
  • Clayton Blaha – co-founder, director of artists and repertoire (A&R)[15][21]
  • Chris Morris – head of A&R[16]
  • Blaise DeAngelo – former general manager[15]

Artists

See also: Category:Owsla artists
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Releases

Main article: Owsla discography

References

  1. ^ "Two Major Labels Reportedly In Discussions To Acquire Spinnin' Records". Your EDM. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  2. ^ "Make Your Mark: Owsla- The Mothership". Relentless Beats. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  3. ^ "Owsla Announces House-Focused Compilation Howsla, Drops Chris Lake's "I Want You" - NEST HQ". NEST HQ. 2017-03-22. Archived from the original on 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  4. ^ a b By808sJake. "The 25 Best Songs on Owsla, So Far". Complex. Retrieved 2018-01-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Label Spotlight | Owsla". Onlythebeat.com. 2013-05-10. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ a b Billboard (2016-09-21). "Skrillex's Owsla Label Celebrates With Los Angeles Rager in Honor of 5-Year Anniversary". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  7. ^ "Skrillex Announces Launch of Owsla Label". Billboard. 2011-06-07. Archived from the original on 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  8. ^ "Skrillex, Owsla Label Announce The Nest: Subscription-Based Imprint". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  9. ^ "Label Focus: Owsla - Blog". Mixmag. 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  10. ^ "The Origins of 10 Iconic Names in Dance Music". EDM.com. 2016-02-04. Archived from the original on 2017-12-23. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  11. ^ "Owsla Will Take You To The Mountain: A Deeper Look at Skrillex's Winning Streak". RaverRafting. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  12. ^ Dessa, Kate (2013-07-18). "Bromance Records Launches American Branch via Owsla". Earmilk. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  13. ^ Billboard (2014-12-18). "Skrillex's Owsla Label Launches Nestivus Charity Campaign". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  14. ^ "OWSLA unveils five-year anniversary recap video". We Rave You. 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
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  20. ^ Billboard (2016-12-20). "Owsla GM Blaise DeAngelo Talks Label's Five Year Mark & Moving Beyond Music". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  21. ^ a b c "Best Label: Owsla". DJMag.com. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  22. ^ "Bassnectar and ATLiens make their OWSLA debuts with 'Interlock'". 17 March 2017.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Owsla - The 15 Best EDM Labels Right Now". Complex. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  24. ^ Photography: Thomas Uribe. "Premiere: Blood Diamonds - Apex". Dummy Mag. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
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  34. ^ "Skrillex's Owsla Unleashes Free Exclusive Music From Zedd, Dillon Francis & More". Your EDM. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  35. ^ "Salvatore Ganacci returns with another dramatic Tomorrowland set". We Rave You. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  36. ^ "Gesaffelstein – Pursuit (Official Music Video) *Not Safe For Work*". YourEDM. 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
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  38. ^ Billboard (2016-08-16). "Ghastly Talks Owsla, Metal, and Not Getting Comfortable". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  39. ^ Jess GentileMar 25 2014, 12:00am (2014-03-25). "HeartsRevolution Has an Ice Cream Truck Made of One Million Swarovski Crystals - Thump". Thump.vice.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  42. ^ "Monsta On Signing To Skrillex's Owsla Label, Dubstep, and Moby?". Village Voice. 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
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  44. ^ Corban Goble (2015-03-05). "Various Artists: Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  45. ^ "A New Track From JOYRYDE's High-Octane Owsla EP Is Here, "I WARE HOUSE" - NEST HQ". NEST HQ. 2017-02-21. Archived from the original on 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  46. ^ Ezra MarcusApr 6 2017, 9:17pm (2017-04-06). "Owsla's Anna Lunoe, Wuki, and Valentino Khan Team Up like Voltron for Walloping New Track - Thump". Thump.vice.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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  50. ^ "Anna Lunoe Goes All Out On New Single "Radioactive"". We Got This Covered. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
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  54. ^ "Owsla Artist Mija Sits for Tasteful, Gothy Playboy Shoot - Thump". Thump.vice.com. 2016-02-02. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  55. ^ Dabrye (27 May 2014). "Stream Moody Good's genre-hopping debut in full, forthcoming on Owsla and MTA Records - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  56. ^ Sophia (2014-08-14). "MUST DIE! Announces New LP For Owsla". Edmsauce.com. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  57. ^ "Pennybirdrabbit "For Love EP" [Owsla/Big Beat]". Your EDM. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  58. ^ "Dream - "This Isn't House" - The 25 Best Songs on Owsla, So Far". Complex. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
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  60. ^ "Seven Lions - Serpent Of Old [Owsla]". Your EDM. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  61. ^ "Noisecontrollers & Showtek - Get Loose (Owsla) • Harderstate - Hardstyle & Hardcore Forum". Harderstate.com. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  62. ^ "Skrillex Chops & Screws Renaissance Synths For Sirah's 'Deadbeat': Listen". Billboard. 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  63. ^ "Skream ft. Sam Frank - "Anticipate" - The 25 Best Songs on Owsla, So Far". Complex. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  64. ^ "EDM Wishes Skrillex A Very Happy 30th Birthday". Your EDM. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  65. ^ "Skrillex's Latest Episode Of Owsla Radio Features Snails, What So Not & More". Your EDM. 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  66. ^ Almeida, Nicole (27 January 2017). "Striving for More: A Conversation with Star Slinger". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  67. ^ "TC Tightens His Grip On The Dance Floor With 'Get Down Low EP'". Your EDM. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  68. ^ Byanonymous superhero. "Teddy Killerz - "Teddy Massacre"". Complex. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  69. ^ "Tennyson Release New Single "Cry Bird" + Announce Uh Oh! EP On Owsla". Runthetrap.com. 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  70. ^ "Skrillex & TroyBoi Unleash Their Massive "WARLORDZ" Collaboration". YourEDM. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  71. ^ ""Favor" with Vindata + Skrillex + NSTASIA Sounds Unlike Any Owsla Collab, Ever [LISTEN]". Your EDM. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  72. ^ "OWSLA Comes Back Strong: Signs Virtual Riot & Releases Salvatore Ganacci Music Video". Riverbeats.life. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  73. ^ "Check Out What So Not on Owsla After Dark". Your EDM. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  74. ^ "Wiwek Releases Two New Tracks On Owsla [VIDEOS]". Your EDM. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-30.