Terrible
A Los Angeles-based independent record label and artist management company founded in 2009.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Terrible Records, now generally branded as Terrible, is an American independent record label and artist management company founded in 2009 by musician and producer Chris Taylor and music executive Ethan Silverman. The operation was originally based in Brooklyn, New York, before becoming associated with Los Angeles. Its early identity was built around small-format releases and a deliberately artist-focused approach, with the founders seeking to devote more attention to emerging musicians than would typically be possible through a conventional large-label structure. The label began by issuing a series of singles, 7-inch records, 10-inch releases, and extended plays. Its catalog quickly became associated with left-field pop, electronic music, indie rock, R&B, and experimental projects. Rather than relying on one tightly defined genre, Terrible developed a reputation for presenting distinctive artists and unusual collaborations. Early releases included a split single by Arthur Russell and CANT, projects by Acrylics and Class Actress, and recordings connected with Twin Shadow, Blood Orange, Chairlift, Kindness, Horrid Red, and Kirin J. Callinan. These releases helped establish the label as a visible platform for artists working across the boundaries of independent pop and alternative music. Chris Taylor also used the label to release his own recordings under the name CANT. His debut solo album, Dreams Come True, appeared through Terrible on September 13, 2011. The label subsequently issued projects by artists including Solange, Empress Of, Diamond Terrifier, Forces, Regal Degal, Ramona Lisa, Le1f, Porches, and Sick Feeling. This catalog reflects a curatorial model centered on artist development and creative independence rather than a narrow commercial formula. In its earlier corporate structure, Terrible operated as a joint-venture imprint connected with XL Recordings and the Beggars Group, and its releases were distributed by Universal Music Group. The label later had a short period as an imprint associated with Interscope. It is now distributed independently through Stem Distribution, representing a shift toward a more autonomous operating model. The available reference material does not identify a precise date for each distribution transition. Terrible has also expanded beyond recorded music. Ethan Silverman increasingly concentrated on artist management, and the management side of the business has represented artists including Claud, Sir Chloe, Petey, Exum, The Slaps, Mila Degray, Kali, and Liam Benzvi. This dual label-and-management structure allows Terrible to support artists through releases, career development, and representation. The label remains active, with later catalog entries including Petey's Lean Into Life and releases by The Hellp in 2021. Its present positioning combines independent music discovery, flexible label services, and artist management.
History
Terrible was established in 2009 by Chris Taylor and Ethan Silverman. The company initially operated from Brooklyn and was conceived as a small, flexible label intended to give its founders more time to work directly with developing artists. Its first releases emphasized 7-inch and 10-inch records, singles, and compact EP projects rather than a large-volume album program. The early catalog demonstrated the label's broad musical remit. The first listed release was a 2009 split single pairing Arthur Russell with Taylor's CANT project. Other early releases included work by Acrylics, Class Actress, Twin Shadow, and Violens. During the following years, Terrible issued recordings by Blood Orange, Chairlift, Kindness, Horrid Red, Kirin J. Callinan, and others. The label's output connected synth-pop, indie rock, electronic music, experimental composition, and alternative R&B, giving it an identity based more on curation and artist individuality than on a single genre. Taylor's role as both founder and recording artist was visible in the CANT releases. Terrible issued the CANT album Dreams Come True in September 2011. The label also released important projects by artists such as Solange, including Losing You and the album True, as well as material by Empress Of, Ramona Lisa, Le1f, Porches, Regal Degal, and Sick Feeling. These releases expanded the label's profile while maintaining its focus on distinctive voices and nontraditional pop structures. Terrible's business relationships changed over time. In its earlier phase, it functioned as a joint-venture imprint associated with XL Recordings and the Beggars Group, with distribution handled by Universal Music Group. It subsequently spent a short period as an imprint connected with Interscope. The label later moved to independent distribution through Stem Distribution. The cited reference does not provide exact dates for the Interscope or Stem transitions, so those changes are best understood as successive structural stages rather than precisely dated milestones. The company also developed an artist-management operation. Ethan Silverman's work increasingly shifted toward management, with a roster that has included Claud, Sir Chloe, Petey, Exum, The Slaps, Mila Degray, Kali, and Liam Benzvi. This broadened Terrible from a release imprint into a combined label and management platform. The later catalog includes Petey's Lean Into Life and several 2021 releases by The Hellp, including Vol. 1, Enemy, and Enemy Remixed. Terrible remains an active independent music organization, although the available source material does not specify a current corporate owner, exact headquarters address, or a complete up-to-date roster.
- 2021
Later catalog expands through Petey and The Hellp
[1]The listed later catalog includes Petey's Lean Into Life and The Hellp releases Vol. 1, Enemy, and Enemy Remixed.
- 2013
Terrible releases Solange's True
[1]Solange's True is released through Terrible as catalog entry TR015.
- 2012
Terrible releases Solange's Losing You
[1]The label issues Solange's single Losing You, cataloged as TR013.
- 2011
CANT releases Dreams Come True
[1]Chris Taylor's solo project CANT issues the album Dreams Come True through Terrible on September 13, 2011.
- 2009
Terrible is founded
[1]Chris Taylor and Ethan Silverman establish Terrible Records, initially operating from Brooklyn and focusing on releases by emerging artists.
- 2009
First catalog release
[1]The label's listed opening release is a split single pairing Arthur Russell and CANT, identified in the catalog as TR001.
Products and positioning
An artist-focused independent label and management company associated with adventurous pop, alternative, electronic, R&B, and experimental music.
Record label catalog · 2009
Terrible catalog releases
Terrible's core product is its catalog of recorded music, including singles, split releases, 7-inch and 10-inch records, extended plays, and albums. The catalog spans alternative pop, indie rock, electronic music, experimental work, and R&B. Its release strategy has historically favored artist-led projects and compact physical formats while also supporting full-length albums.
Studio album · 2011
Dreams Come True
Dreams Come True is the debut solo album by Chris Taylor's CANT project. Terrible released it on September 13, 2011. The album represents the founder's direct involvement in the label's artist and release output.
Extended play · 2013
True
True is a Solange release issued by Terrible in 2013. It forms part of the label's prominent early-2010s catalog and illustrates its work with artists whose music crossed independent, alternative, and contemporary R&B audiences.
Management services
Artist management
Alongside label operations, Terrible provides artist-management services. Ethan Silverman's management activities have included artists such as Claud, Sir Chloe, Petey, Exum, The Slaps, Mila Degray, Kali, and Liam Benzvi. The management business represents a significant extension of Terrible's artist-development role.
Brand decisions
- Shift toward independent distributionStrategy
Background
Terrible originally operated in association with XL Recordings and the Beggars Group and used Universal Music Group distribution. It later had a short period as an Interscope imprint before changing its distribution model.
Action taken
The label moved to independent distribution through Stem Distribution.
Aftermath
The change positioned Terrible as a more autonomous independent label. The cited source does not provide an exact transition date or financial effect.
- Expansion of artist-management activitiesStrategy
Background
Terrible began as a record label but later broadened its activities as Ethan Silverman's focus increasingly moved toward artist management.
Action taken
The organization developed a management roster including Claud, Sir Chloe, Petey, Exum, The Slaps, Mila Degray, Kali, and Liam Benzvi.
Aftermath
Terrible operates as both a label and an artist-management company, although the available source does not quantify the management business or identify a complete current roster.
Sources2 sources
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