Matador Records is a label founded by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his apartment in New York. A year later, he was joined by a former employee of Homestead Records, Gerard Cosloy. Together, they remain in charge of the label – although it has been owned by many different people, forming part of the Beggars Group since 2002. Some of their early signings were The Dustdevils and Superchunk. Success came a year after their formation, with the release of the debut album by Teenage Fanclub, “A Catholic Education”. The platform has been growing ever since, and their offices have become bigger and bigger over the years.

Some of the most important artists on their roster are Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Sonic Youth, Pavement and Pizzicato Five. Besides releasing music by established bands, Matador has always supported emerging bands, like recent signings Cold Cave, Esben And The Witch and Perfume Genius. They also licensed prestigious British bands for the USA, such as Belle And Sebastian, Mogwai, Boards Of Canada and Arab Strap. Today, Matador is one of the most important and influential independent labels around.

Selected discography

Superchunk: “No Pocky For Kitty” (1991)

Yo La Tengo: “I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One” (1997)

Interpol: “Turn On The Bright Lights” (2002)

Cat Power: “You Are Free” (2003)

Mission Of Burma: “The Sound The Speed The Light” (2009)

Sonic Youth: “The Eternal” (2009)

Fucked Up: “David Comes To Life” (2011)

Roster

Belle and Sebastian

Cat Power

Cold Cave

Esben and the Witch

Fucked Up

Interpol

Kurt Vile

Mission of Burma

Pavement

Sonic Youth

Spoon

Superchunk

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

The New Pornographers

Yo La Tengo