International Artists
| Company type | Independent record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Key people | Lelan Rogers (producer) |
| Products | Albums, singles |
International Artists (IA) was an independent American record label headquartered in Houston, Texas, operating between 1965 and 1970. It is distinct from the classical label International Artists Records, which was established in New York City in 1956.
The label, owned by entrepreneurs from Houston, produced a total of 13 albums and 39 singles. A significant contributor to IA's success was producer Lelan Rogers, sibling of country musician Kenny Rogers. IA gained recognition for signing prominent Texas psychedelic rock groups such as The 13th Floor Elevators, The Red Crayola, and Bubble Puppy, as well as lesser-known bands including The Golden Dawn, Lost And Found, and Endle St. Cloud. Among its releases was the blues guitarist Lightnin' Hopkins' album Free Form Patterns, which featured session performances by members of the 13th Floor Elevators' rhythm section. The label also issued Introducing the Boyles Brothers (IASC #6801) in 1968. IA operated from Gold Star Studios in Houston, a facility it leased and briefly renamed International Artists Studios during 1969–1970. This studio was later rebranded as SugarHill Recording Studios in 1972 and continues to function today.
Although IA ceased operations in 1971, Lelan Rogers revived the label in 1978, re-releasing all 12 original albums as a box set. In 1980, the double LP Epitaph for a Legend (IA #13) was released, featuring rare recordings from Roky Erickson’s initial band, The Spades, early demos by the Red Crayola, along with other Texas blues and psychedelic artists. A comprehensive six-CD collection titled The Best of International Artists (2003) compiled the entire Epitaph set alongside debut albums from the Thirteenth Floor Elevators, Red Krayola, Lost & Found, and Bubble Puppy.
Since 2008, under the management of Charly Records, IA’s catalog has been reissued with additional rare and previously unreleased content, including a dedicated 10-CD box set focused on the 13th Floor Elevators.