Chris Swanson is a prominent figure in the independent music scene as a co-founder of three influential record labels: Dead Oceans (established in 2007), Jagjaguwar (1996), and Secretly Canadian (1996). Based primarily in Bloomington, Indiana, these labels also maintain additional offices in New York, London, and Austin. Under his leadership, the labels have cultivated a diverse roster of artists, including Bon Iver, Antony & the Johnsons, Yeasayer, comedian Tig Notaro, The Tallest Man on Earth, Jens Lekman, Dinosaur Jr., The War on Drugs, Foxygen, Phosphorescent, The Besnard Lakes, Okkervil River, and Black Mountain.
Swanson's foray into film began through collaborations with director Rick Alverson, serving as co-executive producer on Alverson's first three features: The Builder (2010), New Jerusalem (2011), and The Comedy (2012). He also took on the role of music supervisor for The Builder and The Comedy, and has collaborated with filmmaker Joe Swanberg on the 2013 film Drinking Buddies. Currently, he is involved in the production of three additional film projects.
In 2011, Swanson co-founded Fort William Artist Management alongside Ami Spishock, Ben Swanson, and Darius Van Arman, representing artists such as Beirut, Grizzly Bear, Jens Lekman, and The War on Drugs. The following year, he helped establish SC Publishing, a boutique music publishing service, which boasts a client list that includes Bill Fay, Foxygen, Kishi Bashi, Spencer Krug, Night Beds, and Frankie Rose.
