4AD has been one of the most influential independent record labels of the late 20th century. Founded in 1980 as a spin-off of Beggars Banquet, they quickly gained seriously good artists and then a devoted following. Bands such as Bauhaus, the Cocteau Twins, Dead can Dance and Dif Juz - to name but a few of the early bands - distinctive record design by 23 Envelope and v23 - and the vision and shrewd business sense of the founder, Ivo Watts-Russell, have set the off-kilter music scene spinning.

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