15 Atlanta indie labels you need to know

We run down the most influential imprints in operation today

This week, CL’s music feature, “Who needs a record label?,” delves into the curatorial role that independent record labels play in an era when the perks of signing with a label have diminished in the wake of the Internet. Here’s a roundup of 15 of our favorite local labels’ greatest hits (so to speak) of the last few years, highlighting their place in the modern local music scene.

Psych Army Intergalactic: The Difference Machine - The Psychedelic Sounds of the Difference Machine
The Psychedelic Sounds Of The Difference Machine by The Difference Machine

Muckman: Bodyfather - Bodyfather
Bodyfather “S/T” by Bodyfather


No Breaks: Rapturous Grief - Rapturous Grief
Rapturous Grief “S/T” by Rapturous Grief

SMKA: Various Artists - The Hang Out
[http://smka.bandcamp.com/album/the-hang-out-part-2|The Hang Out Part 2 by SMKA]

Harsh Riddims: Various Artists - Harsh Riddims Vol. 1
Harsh Riddims Vol. 1 by Harsh Riddims

CGI: Jerome - Jerome


DKA: Women’s Work - Women’s Work
Women’s Work by Women’s Work

Big Blonde: Outer Gods - Beneath the Marred and Blackened Hand
Beneath the Marred and Blackened Hand by Outer Gods

Embassy Recordings: Distal - “Tortelli’s Slave”


Persistentmidnight: High Marks - An Avalanche
An Avalanche by High Marks

Mission Trips: Magicicada - Wrack with Ruin
magicicada - ‘Wrack with Ruin’ by MissionTrips

Scavenger of Death: Various Artists - Land of Nod
Land of Nod: Atlanta Punk & Hardcore SIDE A by Scavenger of Death Records

Primitive Patterns: Easily Suede - Reliefs
RELIEFS by easily suede

Boris: Sadistic Ritual - Hellish Mercenary 7-inch
Hellish Mercenary 7” by Sadistic Ritual

Army of Bad Luck: Carnivores - Second Impulse