TRANSGRESSIVE RECORDS: 5th Anniversary Celebrations

by Joanna Orland

What does an independent record label do when it turns 5?   Well, it hosts three days worth of gigs to celebrate of course!

Out of the three days, I have attend the first and possibly the most uninteresting, non-challenging line up of Young Knives, The Rakes and Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man. Having seen The Rakes 7 years ago, my mind boggles as to why they are still around. I found myself standing in the charming Heaven, seeing a stream of people walk away from The Rakes after what seems like a medley that lasted 15 minutes. I felt my heart fill with joy that I’m not the only one who is underwhelmed and fast losing the will to live. Encouraged by the mass exodus, the bar was the only place to be – returning to watch Young Knives much later.

Over the past five years, Transgressive Records has released great singles from The Subways and Mystery Jets to Regina Spektor. Full albums from the Noisettes and Foals to the formidable Iron & Wine. However, the first of the label’s party wasn’t up to par and was average at best. If only I attended the Union Chapel gig featuring Johnny Flynn… sigh.