East Side Digital Records

East Side Digital is a record label and distributor based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

History

ESD was started and curated by Rob Simonds (who also created Rykodisc) in 1981 to import and distribute vinyl records on Japanese labels to record stores and other retailers.

In 1982, ESD became one of the first U.S. distributors of compact discs, soon releasing records by rock and experimental performers on the ESD label.

Subsequently, Ryko Distribution Partners took over ESD's distribution duties, allowing ESD to primarily be a record label.

ESD is now a sub-label of NorthSide Records, a label Simonds created that specializes in Nordic roots music.

Due to the advent of streaming and downloads of digital music, ESD has reduced operations to only offering music by local band Halloween, Alaska.

Artists

This section contains a partial list of artists who released records on the ESD label.

A–F

Eric Ambel

Terry Anderson

Laurie Anderson

Marc Anderson

The Barracudas

The Beacon Hill Billies

Peter Blegvad

Blood Oranges

The Bottle Rockets

William S. Burroughs

Dirk Campbell

Wendy Carlos

Bruce Cockburn

Eller Lynch

Fred Frith

G–N

Go to Blazes

John Giorno

David Greenberger

Halloween, Alaska

Happy the Man

Henry Cow

Suzi Katz

Kit & Coco

Kevin Kling

Cheri Knight

The Liquor Giants

Bill Lloyd

Scott McCaughey

The Minus 5

Dirk Mont Campbell

The Morells

National Health

P–Z

The Pandoras

Glenn Phillips

Plan 9

The Residents

Schramms

Shakin' Apostles

Jane Siberry

The Skeletons

Snakefinger

Sneakers

Spanic Boys

Speed the Plough

Chris Stamey

They Might Be Giants

Kit Watkins

Barrence Whitfield with Tom Russell

Wooden Leg

The Young Fresh Fellows

See also

List of record labels

References

External links

American record labels

American independent record labels

Independent record labels based in Minnesota

1981 establishments in Minnesota