"The core of Partisan Records: A label championing diverse artists and standing by their cause"
Party-Oriented Archive Featured: United Kingdom's Political Records | Our Site Showcased
Partisan co-founder and label President, Tim Putnam
Partisan Records began as a scrappy Brooklyn-based imprint in 2007, founded by Tim Putnam and Ian Wheeler. The label started off showcasing promising alt-rock acts from across the States (such as Deer Tick, The Dismemberment Plan, Guards, Heartless Bastards, and more). But Partisan's vision doesn't stop there. With an unwavering focus on discovering and nurturing new talent, the label expanded its horizons, establishing its European chapter in London in 2012.
This brave move has paid off, as Partisan now boasts a lineup of agile indie contemporaries from our side of the pond. Notable acts include Ezra Collective, Just Mustard, Lauren Marling, Lèa Sen, Skinny Pelembe, and many more. Partisan is a label that takes great pride in championing fresh voices while also acknowledging the enduring impact of timeless artistry, partnering with Knitting Factory Records to relaunch Fela Kuti's extensive and essential Afrobeat catalog.
As a testament to their passion for music, Partisan consistently offers something to savor. Their commitment to quality has earned them a spot on our label spotlight series, resulting in an exciting array of exclusive releases. Some notable titles include the Joy As An Act of Resistance vinyl reissue by IDLES and PJ Harvey's Partisan debut album, I Inside the Old Year Dying.
Partisan Records Sale
Stock up on some exceptional tunes! A select range of titles from Aoife Nessa Frances, NoSo, Beth Orton, Cigarettes After Sex, Fontaines D.C., Ezra Collective, Blondshell, IDLES, Just Mustard, Fela Kuti, and many more.
SHOP NOW
Exclusive Vinyl
This time, a limited run of the Mercury-Prize shortlisted sophomore album from everyone's favorite Bristol post-punkers, IDLES. Grab a piece of the action before it's gone!
IDLES - Joy As An Act of Resistance
our website Exclusive berry-coloured vinyl. Limited copies.
BUY NOW
From working with PJ Harvey to building a roster of trailblazing indie acts, we caught up with Partisan co-founder and label President, Tim Putman, to shed some light on this innovative independent label.
Q&A with Tim Putman
PJ Harvey signing to an indie after three decades on a major is a pretty big flex - can you say a few things on how that came into place? We have a positive relationship with Polly's management company, ATC. They shared I Inside The Old Year Dying with us, and the depth of the writing was immediate. The album felt therapeutic and timeless, albeit dreamlike. We had a video call with Polly to discuss the album, and later met in person. It felt like we were aligned, and subsequently started working together.
When did you know Partisan was going to be more than an apartment-operated record label? When we rented our first office in Brooklyn.
Favorite “pinch me” moment of Partisan? Each time I get to listen to finished music prior to it being released, and before anyone else has heard or critiqued it, is a favorite moment.
The name Partisan comes from the Leonard Cohen song The Partisan. Can you speak more on the inspiration behind the name and how it came about? Leonard Cohen is one of my favorite lyrical songwriters. The idea of a "partisan" as a strong supporter of a cause, who is willing to fight for it, made sense to me at the core of what Partisan Records should be.
If you could sign an artist from any period of history out of the blue right now who would you grab? King David (the King of Israel who started out as a court musician).
Partisan has an extensive catalog of releases, is there a particular album that you feel deserves more recognition but got lost in the shuffle? Yes, there are a few: Nico Yaryan, What A Tease / Eagulls, Ullages / LUMP, Animal / Pottery, The Smackwave EP / Spike Fuck, The Amazing, Gentle Stream, Picture You, In Transit Ambulance / Molly Sarle, Karaoke Angel / Body Type, EP1, EP2 / Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (co-produced and arranged by Brian Eno), From Africa With Fury: Rise / BOBBY, BOBBY FREEMAN (Gene Ween), Freeman / Westerman, Your Hero Is Not Dead / Holy Sons, In The Garden, Decline Of The West Vol. I & II / The Wytches, Annabel Dream Reader / Violents & Monica Martin, Awake And Pretty Much Sober / Lumerians, Transmalinnia, High Frontier / Pottery, Welcome To Bobby's Motel / Erika Wennerstrom, Sweet Unknown / Dolorean, The Unfazed / Emily Wells, Mama / Goon, Heaven Is Humming.
What is something you look for when signing new artists to the label? How has this process changed for you over the years? I search for people I like, who can help me feel something familiar yet new, and who I can have a trusting relationship with creatively. Over the years, I don't think my core process of discovery has changed professionally, but I'm consciously more realistic about the overall commitment related to developing an artist.
What is the most exciting aspect of the state of indie music in 2023? The generation of artists coming up who've experienced instantaneous access to information, let alone art, as commonplace.
How has vinyl played a part in the rise of Partisan's independent artists and what role would you like to see it continue to play? Having something tangible is of value in a world where most people increasingly pay a premium to experience as much as possible, and own relatively little, especially when they are young. For years, the most treasured possessions a lot of my friends had were a combination of instruments/gear, and their record collection. Buying and displaying vinyl is a way of expressing who you are. It is a way to build something of worth over the years, one record at a time, which eventually tells a particular part of an owner's story. That has value on multiple levels, and vinyl releases simply play a role in helping create those stories.
Current Partisan Highlights...
Fela Kuti Roforofo Fight Tee
Partisan's work to bring greater awareness to Fela's legacy is something we can all get behind. Check out the Roforofo Fight Tee, honoring Fela's seismic 1970s rise.
Fela Kuti Tees
Grian Chatten - Chaos For The Fly
Partisan continues to support Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten, as he steps out on his own with Chaos For The Fly, landing at #10 on the UK charts upon release.
Partisan Artists on the blog
We've gotten to know some fantastic Partisan acts a little better through our blog. Check out our Album of the Year 2022 conversation with Fontaines D.C. and some great Shoplifting sessions with newer recruits Blondshell and NoSo.
BROWSE ALL PARTISAN Sign up and be the first to know of the latest pre-orders, exclusives, and special offers.
The diverse roster of Partisan Records includes not only contemporary independent artists like Ezra Collective, Just Mustard, and IDLES, but also timeless artistries such as the relaunched Afrobeat catalog of Fela Kuti.
Partisan's commitment to quality and pioneering spirit led to innovative projects like exclusive vinyl releases for IDLES, and partnerships that bring fresh voices and enduring artistry to the forefront, such as the signing of PJ Harvey after three decades on a major label.
