Chris Swanson is a co-founding partner of three prominent American independent record labels: Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar, and Secretly Canadian, which were established in 2007, 1996, and 1996, respectively. These labels have their primary operational base in Bloomington, Indiana, with satellite offices strategically located in New York, London, and Austin.
Swanson's foray into the film industry commenced with his fruitful partnership with acclaimed director Rick Alverson. Alverson's inaugural three feature-length endeavors, The Builder, released in 2010, New Jerusalem, which premiered in 2011, and The Comedy, a 2012 release, all shared the distinction of being co-executive produced by Swanson in tandem with his Jagjaguwar partners, comprising the illustrious trio of Darius Van Arman, Ben Swanson, and Jonathan Cargill. Furthermore, Swanson assumed the role of music supervisor for both The Builder and The Comedy, subsequently collaborating with renowned director Joe Swanberg on the 2013 film Drinking Buddies. As his cinematic pursuits continue to unfold, Swanson is presently engaged in the production of three additional film projects.
In the year 2011, a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the music industry, Swanson took the bold step of co-founding the esteemed artist management company Fort William Artist Management, alongside a trio of like-minded visionaries: Ami Spishock, Ben Swanson, and Darius Van Arman.
This innovative venture has since gone on to attract an impressive array of clients, a testament to the company's dedication to nurturing and showcasing the talents of some of the most exciting and innovative acts in the music world. Among the many notable artists to have benefited from Fort William's expertise are the critically acclaimed indie pop outfit Beirut, the eclectic and experimental rock band Grizzly Bear, the Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman, and the Philadelphia-based rock quartet The War On Drugs.
In the year 2012, Swanson took the initiative to co-found SC Publishing, a distinctive and exclusive music publishing service that has garnered a diverse and intriguing client roster over the years, boasting an eclectic mix of talented artists, including the renowned Bill Fay, the critically acclaimed Foxygen, the innovative Kishi Bashi, the multifaceted Spencer Krug, the emotive indie-folk outfit Night Beds, and the enigmatic Frankie Rose, among numerous other notable acts.
