Audio Antihero
Audio Antihero is an independent record label founded in 2009, known for releasing unconventional, outsider-oriented and alternative music.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Audio Antihero is an independent record label established in October 2009. The label began with a South East London base and later relocated to Staten Island, New York. Its catalogue has centered on independent, alternative and deliberately idiosyncratic music, spanning lo-fi songwriting, experimental pop, punk-adjacent material, indie rock, electronic-leaning work and releases that sit outside conventional commercial genre boundaries. The label launched with two releases: Nosferatu D2's We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones on to Block Out the Noise and Benjamin Shaw's I Got the Pox, the Pox Is What I Got. During its early period, Audio Antihero developed a broad roster rather than concentrating on a single sound. Releases followed from Jack Hayter, Broken Shoulder, Wartgore Hellsnicker, Paul Hawkins & The Awkward Silences, Fighting Kites and Benjamin Shaw. In 2011, the label issued several EPs as well as Shaw's first full-length release for the imprint, There's Always Hope, There's Always Cabernet. From 2012 to 2013, Audio Antihero expanded its output through a twelve-part digital singles project by Jack Hayter, The Sisters of St. Anthony. The label also became associated with charity and benefit releases, using compilations and special projects to support causes including disaster relief, independent music communities, anti-rape-crisis work, immigrant-rights organizations, civil-liberties groups and Palestinian humanitarian fundraising. Between 2013 and 2019, the roster broadened further with artists and groups including Cloud, Frog, Magana, The Superman Revenge Squad Band, CHUCK, Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love and Tempertwig. Frog became one of the label's most recurrent acts, while Benjamin Shaw continued to receive new releases, reissues and archival projects. The label's catalogue also included live albums, tribute compilations, anthologies and expanded editions, often in collaboration with other small labels such as Tapewormies, Old Money Records, Other Electricities, Randy Sadage Records and Colored Pencils. After issuing compilations and expanded catalogue editions, Audio Antihero became mostly inactive for a period. It returned in late 2023 with Frog's Grog, co-released with Tapewormies. The renewed phase brought back Magana and Ben and Adam Parker's My Best Unbeaten Brother, while adding CIAO MALZ, Avery Friedman, Leilani Patao, Josaleigh Pollett, The Noisy and Tiberius to the roster between 2024 and 2025. The label also resumed a substantial release schedule involving albums, EPs and singles. The label's later catalogue includes Frog's 1000 Variations on the Same Song, THE COUNT and Frog for Sale; Magana's Teeth and Bad News; Avery Friedman's New Thing; The Noisy's The Secret Ingredient Is Even More Meat; Tiberius's Troubadour; and releases by Leilani Patao and Josaleigh Pollett. Audio Antihero has also worked with Darren Hayman, reissuing The Violence by Darren Hayman & The Long Parliament in an expanded edition. Its operating model remains that of a small independent imprint whose identity is built around artist-led releases, catalogue curation, collaborations and benefit projects rather than mass-market scale.
History
Audio Antihero was founded in October 2009 as an independent record label based in South East London. Its first releases were Nosferatu D2's We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones on to Block Out the Noise and Benjamin Shaw's I Got the Pox, the Pox Is What I Got. These opening releases established the imprint's preference for unusual, independently produced music rather than a narrowly defined commercial genre. In 2011, the label broadened its early catalogue with EPs by Jack Hayter, Broken Shoulder, Wartgore Hellsnicker, Paul Hawkins & The Awkward Silences and Fighting Kites. It also released Benjamin Shaw's There's Always Hope, There's Always Cabernet. The following period included live recordings, compilations and further artist projects. Among the label's distinctive early undertakings was Jack Hayter's twelve-part singles series The Sisters of St. Anthony, released across 2012 and 2013. Audio Antihero also developed a charitable and community-oriented side. Its compilation programme supported a range of causes, including relief efforts for Japan, organizations connected with independent music, Rape Crisis, immigrant and civil-liberties groups, and Palestinian humanitarian fundraising. The label's benefit activity formed part of its wider identity as a small imprint using digital compilations and special releases to connect independent music with political or social causes. Between 2013 and 2016, Cloud, Frog, Magana, The Superman Revenge Squad Band and CHUCK joined the roster. Their releases, together with continuing work by Benjamin Shaw, carried the label into the late 2010s. Audio Antihero also issued material by Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love and Tempertwig. Frog became a particularly visible recurring presence, with albums, singles and collaborative projects appearing throughout the catalogue. The label frequently worked alongside other independent imprints, including Tapewormies, Old Money Records, Other Electricities and Randy Sadage Records. By the end of the 2010s, Audio Antihero had shifted considerable attention toward compilations, anthologies, reissues and expanded editions. Projects such as Elder Statesman: Nine Long Years of Audio Antihero Records and archival collections by Benjamin Shaw, Fighting Kites and Broken Shoulder documented the label's accumulated catalogue. Following these releases, the imprint became mostly inactive. Audio Antihero resumed activity in late 2023 with Frog's Grog. The return developed into a sustained new phase rather than a single catalogue event. Magana and My Best Unbeaten Brother returned for new material, while CIAO MALZ, Avery Friedman, Leilani Patao, Josaleigh Pollett, The Noisy and Tiberius joined the roster between 2024 and 2025. Releases during this period included albums, EPs, singles and further Frog projects, often still made in partnership with other independent labels. The later catalogue also extended beyond new artists. In 2026, Audio Antihero announced Josaleigh Pollett's If I Let It Quiet and Leilani Patao's daisy deluxe, released Frog's Frog for Sale and issued an expanded edition of Darren Hayman & The Long Parliament's The Violence in cooperation with Belka. The label's history therefore combines new-artist development, long-running artist relationships, archival preservation, benefit compilations and a deliberately independent approach to music publishing.
- 2026
Further releases and expanded edition
[1]The label released Frog for Sale, announced projects by Josaleigh Pollett and Leilani Patao, and issued an expanded edition of The Violence.
- 2025
Post-hiatus catalogue broadens
[1]The label released projects by a growing roster including Avery Friedman, The Noisy, Tiberius, Leilani Patao and Josaleigh Pollett.
- 2023
Return from hiatus
[1]Audio Antihero returned with Frog's Grog.
- 2019
Catalogue and anthology period
[1]The label issued anthologies, tribute projects and expanded collections documenting its first decade.
- 2013
Roster additions and charity activity
[1]Cloud, Frog, Magana and other acts became associated with the label, alongside further benefit compilations.
- 2012
The Sisters of St. Anthony begins
[1]Jack Hayter's twelve-part singles project began its run across 2012 and 2013.
- 2011
Early roster expands
[1]Audio Antihero released EPs by several independent artists and Benjamin Shaw's first full-length for the label.
- 2009
Label founded
[1]Audio Antihero launched in October 2009 from a South East London base.
- 2009
First releases issued
[1]The label's opening releases were by Nosferatu D2 and Benjamin Shaw.
Products and positioning
A small, artist-focused independent label with an eclectic and unconventional catalogue. Audio Antihero emphasizes distinctive songwriting, outsider and experimental sensibilities, collaborative releases, catalogue preservation and socially oriented benefit compilations.
Music releases · 2009
Albums
Audio Antihero's album catalogue includes independent releases by Benjamin Shaw, Frog, Cloud, Magana, CHUCK, Avery Friedman, The Noisy, Tiberius, Darren Hayman & The Long Parliament and other artists. The albums range across lo-fi, alternative, experimental and songwriter-oriented styles.
Music releases · 2009
EPs and singles
The label releases short-form projects and individual tracks, including Jack Hayter's multi-part singles series and later EPs by Magana, CIAO MALZ, My Best Unbeaten Brother and Leilani Patao.
Compilation releases · 2011
Compilations and benefit releases
Audio Antihero has issued label samplers, tribute collections and benefit compilations. These projects have supported causes ranging from disaster relief and independent music communities to civil liberties, immigrant rights and humanitarian fundraising.
Catalogue products · 2015
Reissues and expanded editions
The imprint revisits earlier work through remastered, expanded and archival editions, including releases associated with Benjamin Shaw, Fighting Kites, Broken Shoulder and Darren Hayman & The Long Parliament.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021The Horrible Truth About Palestine
Digital
A fundraiser compilation supporting the United Palestinian Appeal.
- 2017Unpresidented Jams
Digital
A benefit compilation supporting the Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Immigrant Law Center.
- 2016Bern Yr Idols
Digital
A benefit compilation associated with Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign.
- 2013Regal vs Steamboat
Digital
A digital charity compilation supporting Rape Crisis.
- 2012Some.Alternate.Universe.
Digital
A digital charity compilation supporting FSID.
- 2012The Hüsker Du-wop EP
Digital
A benefit EP connected with New York's independent music community.
- 2011Bob Hope would.
Digital
A digital charity compilation connected with relief efforts for Japan.
Outcome. The release raised awareness and funds for the stated cause; the available reference does not specify an amount.
Brand decisions
2026
Issue Frog for Sale and additional announced projectsProduct launchBackground
The post-hiatus catalogue continued to focus on Frog while adding projects from Josaleigh Pollett and Leilani Patao.
Action taken
Audio Antihero released Frog for Sale and announced If I Let It Quiet and daisy deluxe.
Aftermath
The label also expanded its catalogue work through Darren Hayman's The Violence expanded edition.
2023
Resume activity after a period of inactivityStrategyBackground
Following a period in which the label was mostly inactive, Audio Antihero returned to releasing new music.
Action taken
The label relaunched its active programme with Frog's Grog and subsequently expanded its roster and release schedule.
Aftermath
The return led to new releases from established and newly affiliated artists through 2024–2026.
Sources2 sources
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