Artis Records

Artis Records is an Italian record label created by the musician Alfredo Tisocco. It operates as a division of Cramps Music s.r.l., an Italian music company, and is distributed in Japan by Ultra-Vybe, Inc. The label's stated mission is to be the home of "total music" — a place where music becomes art in continuous movement, embracing change and the evolution of science and knowledge. Its editorial focus is deliberately broad but curated: particular attention is given to new forms of music, with concentrated interest in ethnic, jazz and classical repertoire, as well as contemporary experimental work. The label's identity is closely tied to Tisocco's own artistic biography. Tisocco is associated with the Italian progressive rock scene, notably with the band Opus Avantra, which formed in 1973 and has continued to perform. Artis Records functions both as a release platform for this lineage of Italian progressive and avant-garde music and as a broader curatorial project. Its catalogue and public activity reflect an interest in music that crosses genre boundaries, from composed and improvised traditions to experimental and ethnic forms. Beyond record releases, Artis Records maintains an active online presence through its official website and blog, which document concerts, awards and publications connected to its founder and affiliated artists. The label's distribution reach extends beyond Italy to Japan through Ultra-Vybe, giving its releases an international audience in a market known for its appreciation of Italian progressive and experimental music. As a division of Cramps Music s.r.l., Artis Records is part of a privately held Italian music business rather than a major-label group. Its positioning is that of an independent, artist-driven label with a strong authorial identity, combining avant-garde and tradition — a "magic blend of avant-garde and tradition," as the label itself describes it. The label remains active, with recent news items on its site covering performances by Opus Avantra and a literary award given to Alfredo Tisocco.

Artis Records is an Italian record label founded by the musician Alfredo Tisocco. The label describes itself as a division of Cramps Music s.r.l., an Italian music company, and states that it is distributed in Japan by Ultra-Vybe, Inc. Its identity is built around the concept of "total music" — a curatorial idea that treats music as art in continuous movement, open to change and to the evolution of science and knowledge. The label's origins are inseparable from Tisocco's career in Italian progressive and avant-garde music. Tisocco is associated with Opus Avantra, a band formed in 1973 that became part of the Italian progressive rock scene and has continued to perform in later decades. Artis Records serves as a platform for this musical lineage and for a wider catalogue that the label characterizes as concentrating on ethnic, jazz and classical music, alongside contemporary experimental work. The label's own slogan-like description — a "magic blend of avant-garde and tradition" — captures its dual commitment to experimental forms and to established musical traditions. Over time, Artis Records has developed an online presence through its official website and blog, which document releases, concerts, awards and publications connected to its founder and affiliated artists. The blog has reported on performances by Opus Avantra, including a concert scheduled at the Auditorium "Alberto Vighesso" in Tombolo, in the province of Padua, and on Alfredo Tisocco receiving the Premio Macchina da Scrivere – Toast Records at the Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino for his book "Violinista nel deserto". These activities show the label operating not only as a record company but also as a cultural node around its founder's artistic and literary output. As a division of Cramps Music s.r.l., Artis Records is part of a privately held Italian music business. Its distribution arrangement with Ultra-Vybe gives its releases a presence in Japan, a market with a strong following for Italian progressive and experimental music. The label remains active, with a catalogue oriented toward authorial, genre-crossing music rather than mainstream pop.

• 2026

  Alfredo Tisocco receives the Premio Macchina da Scrivere at the Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino for his book 'Violinista nel deserto'.

• 2026

  Opus Avantra is scheduled to perform at the Auditorium 'Alberto Vighesso' in Tombolo, Padua.

• 2012

  The Premio Macchina Da Scrivere, later awarded to Alfredo Tisocco, is created by Giulio Tedeschi (Toast Records).

• 1973

  Opus Avantra, the band associated with Artis Records founder Alfredo Tisocco, is formed.

Independent, artist-driven Italian label for 'total music', blending avant-garde and tradition across ethnic, jazz, classical and experimental contemporary repertoire.

• Opus Avantra releases

• Ethnic, jazz and classical catalogue

• Contemporary experimental music

1. 1Artis Records – Etichetta Discograficaartisrecords.it
2. 2Artis Recordswikidata.org