Music
Anti- Records (stylized as ANTI-) is an American independent record label based in Los Angeles, California, and a subsidiary of Epitaph Records. Founded in 1999 by Epitaph owner Brett Gurewitz, the label was conceived as a home for artists who did not fit the punk rock mold of its parent company, instead embracing a broad range of genres including folk, soul, hip hop, and experimental rock.1 Anti- has released critically acclaimed albums by artists such as Tom Waits, Mavis Staples, and the late Sharon Jones, and it has become known for its artist-friendly ethos and its commitment to social and political causes.2
Anti- was launched in 1999 by Brett Gurewitz, the guitarist of Bad Religion and owner of Epitaph Records, as a sister label to release music that fell outside Epitaph's punk focus. The label's name is a deliberate play on the word "anti" and the prefix "anti-", reflecting its opposition to genre boundaries and industry conventions. Gurewitz has described Anti- as a "boutique" label that prioritizes artistic integrity over commercial trends, giving artists creative control and long-term support. The first release was the debut album by the soul-blues singer Mavis Staples, Time Waits for No One (1999), which set the tone for the label's eclectic and socially conscious catalog.1
Anti- has released a string of influential albums across genres. Tom Waits joined the label in 1999 and released Mule Variations (1999), which won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, followed by Alice and Blood Money (both 2002). The label also became a home for veteran soul and gospel artists, including Mavis Staples, Solomon Burke, and Bettye LaVette, as well as for the funk-soul band Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, whose album 100 Days, 100 Nights (2007) was a critical breakthrough. In the 2010s, Anti- signed indie rock acts such as The National, Father John Misty, and Angel Olsen, expanding its reach to younger audiences while maintaining its reputation for quality.
Anti- has consistently used its platform to address social and political issues. The label released the compilation Future Sounds (2004) to benefit the Future of Music Coalition, and it has partnered with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center on various campaigns. In 2016, Anti- released the single "Hands Up" by the artist collective The New Basement Tapes to support Black Lives Matter, and it has promoted voter registration at its concerts and on its website. The label's artists have also been outspoken: Mavis Staples has used her Anti- recordings to celebrate the civil rights movement, and Tom Waits has contributed to anti-war and environmental causes.2
Beyond its flagship artists, Anti- has released albums by lesser-known but influential acts, such as the avant-garde jazz saxophonist Colin Stetson, the experimental folk group The Books, and the Nigerian Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen. The label also operates a sister imprint, Epitaph, which has occasionally cross-released records, and it has distributed albums by international artists like the Malian singer Rokia Traoré. Anti- has been praised for its vinyl reissues, including deluxe editions of Tom Waits's back catalog, and it has maintained a close relationship with the independent record store community. In 2019, the label celebrated its 20th anniversary with a series of concerts and a compilation album, Anti- Volume 1, featuring unreleased tracks from its roster.
Anti- Records is a subsidiary of Epitaph Records and operates as an independent label within the larger independent music ecosystem.
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