Partisan Records

Partisan Records is an American independent label co-founded in 2007 by Tim Putnam and Ian Wheeler in Brooklyn, New York. It is home to Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Cigarettes After Sex, Geese, Blondshell, Laura Marling, and Deer Tick, and stewards catalogs for Cymande and DJ Rashad. Under president Tim Putnam and COO Zena White, Partisan has been named Billboard's Indie Power Players Execs of the Year. The label operates from Brooklyn with operations in Los Angeles and London.

Partisan's early years featured a modest roster led by indie-rock bands, most notably Deer Tick, and the catalog of the late Afrobeat great Fela Kuti. In the last decade, under the guidance of Putnam and White, its roster has become one of the most lauded in indie music. Partisan is responsible for launching next-gen rock heavyweights Fontaines D.C. and IDLES, is home to critical darlings including Blondshell and Laura Marling, and is behind the biggest indie-rock breakout in recent memory, Geese. Cigarettes After Sex, whose debut is certified platinum with over 3.2 million equivalent album units moved across its three studio sets, headlined arenas less than a decade after playing small clubs like the 575-capacity Bowery Ballroom.

How Partisan Operates

Partisan runs dedicated A&R from its Brooklyn headquarters with operations in Los Angeles and London. The label has built a global footprint through its work with Cigarettes After Sex, Fontaines D.C., and IDLES, and uses that global footprint to advance its capabilities as a company. COO Zena White, who relocated from the UK to Manhattan in October 2017, has helped oversee Partisan's global expansion. The label reinvests the fruits of its success with Cigarettes After Sex into new signings and artist development.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make indie rock, post-punk, dream pop, or alternative with global potential, Partisan is one of the most respected independent labels in that space. Its track record of breaking Fontaines D.C., IDLES, and Cigarettes After Sex into global arenas shows it can develop artists from small clubs to international success. Its Billboard Indie Power Players recognition signals industry respect.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Highly selective: Partisan signs very few artists each year.
• No unsolicited demos: Partisan does not accept cold submissions.
• Global expectations: Partisan's model favors artists with global potential. Purely local acts may be a harder sell.
• Indie deal terms: Partisan typically takes master ownership for the deal term.

Notable Artists and Releases

Partisan has built one of the most acclaimed indie rosters of the past decade. Below are releases with verified chart and sales data:

Cigarettes After Sex's self-titled debut is certified Platinum in the US with over 1 million units. The band's three studio albums have moved over 3.2 million equivalent album units combined. Fontaines D.C. and IDLES have each scored UK No. 1 albums on Partisan. The label was named Billboard's Indie Power Players Execs of the Year.

Video Highlights

Deal Structures

Partisan operates as an independently owned label with offices in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and London. Deal types include:

1. Traditional recording deals: Partisan signs artists to standard independent label contracts. The label funds recording, marketing, and distribution. Master ownership typically stays with the label for the deal term.
2. Multi-album deals: The label signs artists for multiple album cycles. Fontaines D.C. has released three albums on Partisan. IDLES has released four albums through the label.
3. Global distribution and marketing: Partisan leverages its global footprint (Brooklyn, Los Angeles, London) to market artists internationally. Cigarettes After Sex headlined arenas less than a decade after playing 575-capacity clubs.
4. Catalog licensing: Partisan stewards catalogs for legacy acts including Cymande and DJ Rashad. This diversifies revenue beyond new artist development.
5. No 360 deal structures: Partisan does not typically pursue 360-degree deals. The label focuses on recorded music revenue and global artist development rather than taking a percentage of touring or merchandise.

How Artists Get Signed

Partisan does not accept unsolicited demos. The signing process follows these steps:

1. A&R scouting with global scope: Partisan A&R staff monitor indie, post-punk, and alternative scenes across the US, UK, and Europe. The label's global operations (Brooklyn, Los Angeles, London) give it reach across multiple territories.
2. Referrals from industry contacts: Managers, agents, and existing roster artists refer new acts. Partisan's tight-knit roster of post-punk and indie rock bands creates a referral network.
3. Live performance evaluation: Partisan signs artists who have proven themselves on stage. Fontaines D.C. and IDLES were both touring extensively before signing. The label favors artists with strong live followings.
4. Critical reception and buzz: Partisan signs artists who have already received attention from Pitchfork, NME, The Guardian, or similar publications. The label does not develop artists from zero.
5. Global potential assessment: The final decision rests on whether the artist can succeed internationally. Partisan's model favors acts with global appeal. Purely local acts are a harder sell.

Similar Labels

• 4AD - Indie label with post-punk and art rock roster
• Fat Possum Records - Independent label with artist development focus
• Merge Records - Indie label with diverse roster and global reach
• Sacred Bones Records - Indie label with post-punk and dark aesthetic
• Domino Recording Company - UK indie with post-punk and indie rock history

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Partisan deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The global indie model
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an indie profile with global potential
• Domino Recording Company - A related indie rock label
• Partisan Records Official Site - Roster and releases