Quick Facts
Biography
Ivo Watts-Russell (born 1954 in Northamptonshire, England) was joint-founder with Peter Kent of the indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, although he prefers to use the term "musical director".
Early years
Watts-Russell was the youngest of eight children in a family that struggled financially. In 1977, he joined Beggars Banquet as they were starting their label.
Career
One of his better-known productions is the Cocteau Twins' debut Garlands. (Presumably, he is the namesake of "Ivo", the lead track of Cocteau Twins' 1984 album, Treasure.) He also led This Mortal Coil, writing and selecting songs; choosing the personnel for each song; and occasionally playing keyboards. A few years after the release of This Mortal Coil's final studio album, he founded and produced a band called The Hope Blister. which released two albums: ...smile's OK (1998) and Underarms (1999). Although 4AD first released Underarms as a limited edition CD, the label reissued it in 2005 as Underarms and Sideways, the second disc of which has seven remixes by Markus Guentner.
Later years
He had a nervous breakdown in 1994 and sold his half of 4AD to Martin Mills in 1999. He moved to Santa Fe where he still lives today.