From the US to Australia, Zip Records is a worldwide network.

Zip Records on MySpace
Zip Distributors

The perks of being independent has allowed the Zip imprint to release a varied menu of genres. Like a proud parent, we can boast of at least having a hand in the process of the ever-maturing world of popular music. Whether rock, guitar pop, surf, punk, reggae, singer/songwriter, or whatever… it all fits on the label.

In the early days of Zip Records, we identified ourselves as an “importer” of artists from places as disparate as Sweden, Australia, Singapore and Yugoslavia. In the last three years, groups from our own Bay Area have joined with those from New York, Texas and elsewhere to further expand Zip’s catalog.

It seems like popular music has always been about selling lifestyles. Not always the lifestyle we live, but often the lifestyle that we aspire to live. Like rap booming out of an SUV, it’s all cool though it may not all be real. We’re trying to keep it cool and real at the same time. You be the judge.

The Zip lifestyle we’re selling is easy to understand. Our pitch is safe adventure; our name suggests a jolt and the artists on the label provide the kicks. Each release by Zip records is an adventure, with artists from far-flung Western Australia, Singapore, Sweden, Yugoslavia, New York and many more world locations. Although the music is for the adventurous, with few exceptions, it’s all accessible in the true sense of the word.

Consisting primarily of pop and rock artists, Zip Records plays it somewhat safe, preferring artists with sparks of creativity but also musicians and songwriter fitting squarely within their genre. The thread which ties together the label’s releases may not be apparent at first glance, but at least from this vantage point, each title has a sense of place – geographically as well as musically. The Chevelles are the essence of Australian guitar pop, U.K.’s “thirst” holds a hallowed place in the U.K. alternative rock world, Sweden’s “Dorian Gray” upholds that country’s historical honor for melodic song craft and Danny McDonald champions the “four seasons…..one day” sound of pop/rock in the fertile pop country of Victoria, Australia. “Red Letter Day” is the quintessential U.K. punk band. All these, and all other Zip titles are geared for experts and novices alike and they don’t take repeated listenings to sink in.

In mid 2005, Zip Records will celebrate seven years among the brethren of independent record companies. Our sister label, Zip Records Australia (Perth/Kalgoorli) will pass its five year anniversary in early 2005. We will continue to extend our hands out to the music fans of the world…the least you can do is buy some of it.

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