TENEMENT RECORDS

An Independent Label. A Family Business.

Edinburgh · Established 2001

Elizabeth and Jerry Gordon, founders of TENEMENT RECORDS — AI-generated portrait. Elizabeth and Jerry Gordon are fictional characters.

HISTORY

TENEMENT RECORDS was founded in Edinburgh in 2001 by Elizabeth “The Cat” Gordon and her husband, Jerry “The Trap” Gordon.

Elizabeth brought an education acquired backstage during the 1990s, in the company of a very famous British band whose name she sees no reason to put in writing. Somewhere between the guest lists, missed soundchecks and arguments over money, she learned artist management.

Jerry brought legal expertise. His former profession had recently ceased to recognize him as a member.

They met in a local pub, where Jerry was working behind the bar following his disbarment amid allegations of misappropriated funds and various other irregularities. Elizabeth recognized a man who understood contracts. Jerry recognized a woman with a business proposition.

Marriage and a record company followed.

Today, TENEMENT RECORDS is home to LOWLAND WIRE and an expanding catalogue of solo excursions, recordings, publications and occasional internal documents that somehow reach the public.

Elizabeth runs the label. Jerry handles A&R.

His interest in music remains limited.

THE FOUNDERS

Elizabeth “The Cat” Gordon

Founder & President

Before she ran a label, Elizabeth Gordon was a groupie. She considers this a more useful qualification than most music-business degrees.

Her years around a major British band taught her how artists behave before a show, after a show, and when somebody mentions the accounts. She paid attention. By 2001, she was ready to establish TENEMENT RECORDS.

Known as “The Cat,” Elizabeth combines an ear for distinctive artists with a precise understanding of who needs whom. She is warm, composed and difficult to hurry. She can make an artist feel like the most important person in the room without surrendering control of the room.

She has been married to the label’s A&R director since its founding. She regards the arrangement as manageable.

Jerry “The Trap” Gordon

Co-Founder & A&R Director

Jerry Gordon was once a highly capable lawyer at a major firm. His career ended in disbarment following allegations involving client funds and a succession of matters he prefers not to revisit.

A subsequent position as a local pub bartender introduced him to Elizabeth, who found his professional experience more interesting than his references.

At TENEMENT RECORDS, Jerry oversees A&R with particular attention to the paperwork. He is personable, patient and exceptionally comfortable with contractual detail. Artists often leave their first meeting with Jerry feeling that everything has been taken care of.

He has no particular interest in music.

He does, however, take a close interest in the rights.