Artisan Records

Artisan Records is an independent British record label created in 2011 by Fin, an English rock band from South West London and Surrey. The imprint was established as a practical extension of the band's do-it-yourself approach: rather than relying entirely on an outside label, Fin used Artisan to release its own early singles and debut album. The label's documented catalogue is therefore closely associated with Fin and with the band's early-2010s development. The imprint's first release was the double A-side seven-inch single “The Artisan” backed with “It Changes Everything,” issued in October 2011. Fin subsequently used the label for a sequence of limited-format singles, including “Everybody Dies Alone”/“Rapture,” “Twenty Three”/“Eve,” and “Life Is Wasted on the Living”/“Lucky You.” These releases reflected the band's original plan to issue its debut material across six seven-inch singles, although the project stopped after the first four. Artisan later released Fin's debut album, Life Is Wasted on the Living, digitally on 25 March 2013. Fin's label activity formed part of a broader independent production and promotion model. The band recorded the album itself, while Adrian Bushby handled the mixing; Bushby's credits included work associated with artists such as Foo Fighters and Muse. By controlling the imprint, Fin could connect recording, physical releases, digital distribution, and live promotion under its own identity. This approach was repeatedly highlighted in contemporary coverage of the group, including attention from The Guardian, the Evening Standard, The Digital Fix, and Clash. Artisan's market presence was modest and artist-led rather than that of a broad roster label. The available record identifies the imprint primarily as the vehicle for Fin's releases, with no confirmed evidence of a wider artist roster, corporate parent, public listing, or independently reported financial structure. Fin supported the releases through extensive live activity, touring the United Kingdom and Europe with Incubus and appearing in support slots for acts including The Kooks, Feeder, Howler, and Muse. The band's appearance supporting Muse at London's O2 Arena helped place the Artisan-linked project in a larger live-music context. Because the available reference material concentrates on Artisan's creation and Fin's catalogue in the early 2010s, the label's current operating status, ownership arrangements, headquarters beyond the United Kingdom, and activity after the documented album release remain unconfirmed. It is best understood as a small independent imprint founded to enable a band's self-releasing strategy, rather than as a major multi-artist label.

Artisan Records was founded in 2011 by Fin, an English rock band formed in South West London and Surrey. The label was created to support the band's DIY operating model and to provide a home for its own recordings. Rather than beginning as a conventional label with a large external roster, Artisan functioned as an artist-led imprint closely identified with Fin. The label's first documented release was the October 2011 seven-inch double A-side “The Artisan” and “It Changes Everything.” Fin followed it with further seven-inch releases: “Everybody Dies Alone” backed with “Rapture” in 2011, “Twenty Three” backed with “Eve” in 2012, and “Life Is Wasted on the Living” backed with “Lucky You” in 2012. The band initially intended to issue its debut material across six seven-inch singles, but the series ended after four releases. Artisan's catalogue expanded from singles to Fin's debut album, Life Is Wasted on the Living. The album was self-recorded and released digitally through Artisan on 25 March 2013. Adrian Bushby mixed the record; his previous work included projects associated with Foo Fighters and Muse. The release demonstrated the imprint's role in coordinating the band's recording and distribution without the involvement of a documented major-label parent. Fin's touring and press activity helped give the label visibility. In late 2011, the band toured the United Kingdom and Europe with Incubus and later performed support dates with The Kooks, Feeder, Howler, and Muse, including a support appearance at London's O2 Arena. The band also attracted coverage from The Guardian, the Evening Standard, The Digital Fix, and Clash, with several reports emphasizing its self-directed and ambitious approach. The available material does not establish whether Artisan Records developed into a broader label, whether it remains active, or whether ownership changed after Fin's documented 2013 album. No parent company, listing, financial information, or additional confirmed roster is identified. The label's documented historical significance lies in its use as a self-release platform for Fin's early singles and debut album.

• 2013

  Fin's debut album is released digitally

  [1]Fin (band)en.wikipedia.org

  Life Is Wasted on the Living was released digitally through Artisan on 25 March.

• 2012

  Final documented seven-inch singles in the planned series

  [1]Fin (band)en.wikipedia.org

  Artisan issued “Twenty Three”/“Eve” and “Life Is Wasted on the Living”/“Lucky You,” completing four of the six singles originally planned by Fin.

• 2011

  Artisan Records is established

  [1]Fin (band)en.wikipedia.org

  Fin founded Artisan Records to self-release the band's seven-inch singles and subsequent debut album.

• 2011

  First Artisan single appears

  [1]Fin (band)en.wikipedia.org

  The double A-side seven-inch single “The Artisan” and “It Changes Everything” was released in October.

A DIY, artist-controlled independent imprint focused on releasing Fin's rock music through physical singles and digital recordings.

• Seven-inch single · 2011

  The Artisan / It Changes Everything

  Artisan Records' documented debut release, this double A-side seven-inch single introduced Fin's self-releasing imprint in October 2011. It established the label's initial physical-release format and connected the label name directly with the band's identity and DIY presentation.

• Vinyl singles · 2011

  Fin seven-inch singles

  The label's early catalogue included “Everybody Dies Alone”/“Rapture,” “Twenty Three”/“Eve,” and “Life Is Wasted on the Living”/“Lucky You.” These releases formed part of Fin's intended six-single rollout, which ended after four documented seven-inch releases.

• Digital album · 2013

  Life Is Wasted on the Living

  Fin's debut album and the label's principal documented album release. The band self-recorded the album, with mixing by Adrian Bushby, and released it digitally through Artisan Records on 25 March 2013.

1. 1Fin (band)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Artisan Records official websiteartisanrecords.co.uk