Since its birth as a shop and record label in Sheffield in 1989, Warp has become one of the World’s most respected creative organisations. Quickly developing into a platform for innovative and boundary-breaking music talent, Warp became synonymous with such artists as LFO, Autechre, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada and most recently Grizzly Bear, Battles and Maximo Park. Running parallel to the music is an equally strong visual identity, famously established through partnerships with graphic design iconoclasts The Designer’s Republic and video auteur Chris Cunningham, placing Warp alongside legendary labels like Factory in British cultural history.
Warp took a logical but ambitious step in 2001 with the launch of Warp Films, winning a BAFTA for the very first production, Brass Eye satirist Chris Morris’ film debut My Wrongs… Since then high-profile features have come courtesy of Shane Meadows, whose masterpieces Dead Man’s Shoes and This Is England have enjoyed widespread success, the latter winning ‘Best British Film’ at the 2008 BAFTAs. 2009 sees development on more features with directors Chris Morris, Richard Ayoade (IT Crowd) and Paul King (Mighty Boosh).
In 2004, Warp pioneered the sale of unrestricted mp3s via the launch of award-winning download store Bleep.com. Hosting nearly 500 other independent labels, Bleep has sold over 2 million tracks to date.
Over 20 years, Warp has developed into a multifaceted creative company, able to forge a unique path through a rapidly changing and unpredictable landscape. In 2009, Warp will celebrate by bringing together its roster of artists, directors and associates for a series of multi-platform events, new music and film releases.
Warp20 events will merge music, film and art in high-end locations, which kicked off with a huge weekend in Paris on 8th and 9th May at the Cite De La Musique and MK2 Cinema, featuring Aphex Twin & Hecker, Chris Cunningham, !!!, Clark, Flying Lotus and many more
Warp20 will continue throughout 2009 with proposed events in New York, Sheffield, Tokyo and London.
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In Autumn 2009, Warp will release a collection of both premium edition and accessible music products.
The music will consist of new and unreleased tracks from the majority of the current Warp roster, as well as some of the finest artists from our history.
Some premium items will be produced in extremely limited quantities.
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Immaculately designed, high quality Warp20 merchandise will be available at all official Warp20 events, online at Bleep.com and instore at a small number of select partners. Some items will be unique to the individual events.
The first Warp20 t-shirts will be available soon...
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We’d like your help to pick the tracks for the official Warp20 retrospective album, the definitive ‘Best of’ from the last 20 years.
Vote for your favourite Warp tracks on Warp20.net. The top 10 (by different artists) will be combined with those chosen by Warp co-founder Steve Beckett to make a 20 track album. Leave personal memories and messages about your choices and the best will be printed in the album’s artwork.
Each user has 50 votes in total, but you cannot vote for the same track twice. WITH VOTES AND MESSAGES CONTINUING TO PILE IN, WE ARE EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS. Then voting will definitely close, so if you or your friends haven't yet made your selections, do so soon!
This historic album will be fully released on CD and digitally worldwide in Autumn 2009. Thank you for listening. We Are Reasonable People.
NOTE: Only one track per artist from the vote will be selected for the compilation. Therefore only the most voted for track by each artist will appear in the Top Tracks chart. You can see the individual artist charts by clicking on the artist name anywhere on the site or by using the search box.
Thank you to everyone for listening, watching and supporting us over the years. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Here’s to the next 20!
Warp xx
Warp20 (The Vote) Terms and Conditions
The following terms are essential to enable us to compile the ‘Best Of’ compilation with your messages. Any questions can be directed to 20@Warp20.net with the subject header ‘Voting Terms’:
