Syd Butler (born August 15, 1972) is the bass player for Les Savy Fav and the owner and founder of Frenchkiss Records. Although born in Memphis, Tennessee, Butler grew up in Washington, D.C. in the 80s during the height of Dischord Records, an influence that led to his creation of Frenchkiss.
Butler formed Les Savy Fav while studying film and video at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island, with his band mates.[1] The energy and idiosyncrasies of their live show soon attracted a following and the band started playing shows and touring both across the United States and Europe. Butler started Frenchkiss in August 1999 from an office in the Meatpacking District of New York City. Its first purpose was to release Les Savy Fav's second full length album The Cat and the Cobra.[1] Originally a partnership with video director Juan Monastereo, Frenchkiss is responsible for discovering and signing a wide array of bands such as The Hold Steady, Local Natives, The Dodos, and Passion Pit.[2]
Butler has performed in various side musical projects such as Juiced Elfers, with Nicholas Thorburn of Islands, and with Desiderada with Amanda McKaye. An avid hockey fan, he has been a guest celebrity blogger for the National Hockey League during the Playoffs.[3] He has two children with his wife, actress Amy Carlson.
In addition, Butler is credited as director of some of the music videos for the label's bands; including Ex Models's "Sex Automata", S Prcss's "Our Bikes Are Silver", Smoke and Smoke's "Into The Smoke And Smoke", The Dodos's "Winter", as well as his own band's videos for "Patty Lee" and "Rodeo".
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