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One Little Indian is 21! And has a lot to celebrate. Formed in 1985 by Derek and Sue Birkett, along with ex-Flux of Pink Indians guitarist Tim Kelly, this little label has carried itself through some extreme transformations in the music industry.

With their ideals emerging from one of the original anarcho punk bands, any cynic would have expected OLI to take the easy way out and stay rooted in that niche. Instead, it proved itself as a constant source of innovative and eclectic music, signing such talents as The Sugarcubes, Credit To The Nation, Daisy Chainsaw, Chumbawamba, The Shamen, Skunk Anansie, Sneaker Pimps, Rocket From The Crypt and Emiliana Torrini. None of them easily pigeon-holed, but all of them with something in-your-face to say.

One Little Indian's success was spring boarded by The Shamen's controversial number one single, Ebeneezer Goode, unwittingly (or maybe not!) sending everyone into a frenzy of happy, smiley faces. This was furthered by Bjork's solo album 'Debut' which has, so far, sold over 3 million copies worldwide. OLI had come of age.

The label has been like a magnet for interesting characters, attracting the gritty, heart wrenching vocals of Sandy Dillon, to the cinematographic, sublime melodies of Airlock. And wherever there's class, there's Alabama 3 who's links with The Mob were cemented when 'Woke Up This Morning' was chosen as The Sopranos anthem... funny how that track was about a woman waking up one morning and deciding she was going to shoot her abusive husband... go figure!

Everyone knows that America is a tough cookie to crack, so in 2003 OLI decided it was time to show them how it's done, the indie way, and opened its own office in New York. Their suspicions were instantly confirmed: - that America's ears were wide open and ready for some reciprocating across The Pond. And so began a healthy exchange of music.

OLI US now has the chance to issue some of the UK's key, back catalogue, previously only available on import, as well as bringing in bands like the expectation-defying and yet stylishly-sophisticated Greg Dulli with his Twilight Singers collective and one of the most articulate and acute songwriters of the post punk era, Lloyd Cole.

2004 was a fruitful year for OLI, with releases from new signings such as Nic Armstrong, Crispin J Glover, the original Senser, the debut solo album from No-Man's Tim Bowness (which marks Tim's return to the One Little Indian label after a decade's absence), seminal poet Benjamin Zephania, Hot Snakes, Nou, who tell us they're not here to bring down tempo ease and comfort into our lives, and Polly Paulusma who's hook-laden melodies and insightful lyrics, most likely is! Second comings from OLI stalwarts Jesse Malin, Kelli Ali and Cody ChesnuTT completed this rollercoster year.

Now in 2005, it has once again been a superb year of extremes... seeing releases from Queenadreena with their astonishing new album 'The Butcher and The Butterfly', Bombastic Brixtonians Alabama 3 with 'Outlaw', arguably their best album to date and the potential world takeover bid from Johnathan Rice's phenomenal debut 'Trouble Is Real'.

And if that's not enough, 2005 will bring 'The Hustler', the eagerly anticipated
sleazy sophomore album from Jeff Klein, and the Debut from Dan Sartain, another artist who looks set to truly start lighting some fires in the UK.

The brand new album from US Rock Classicists The Pernice Brothers, Songdog's eagerly awaited new masterpiece 'The Time of Summer Lightning', and 'Blue Born Earth Boy' from Sine Star Project- a must have for fans of Jeff Buckley, Opeth, Muse, Porcupine Tree and Doves.

The remainder of the year will be jammed with brand new release from brand new artists...

Keep checking the Artists' Page and the rest of the vast magical landscape that is our site for details of forthcoming releases this year!

As you can see, One Little Indian isn't in the business of conforming, so following your instincts to support a band you love may not seem the most commercial route, but it's definitely the most exciting!