Label created by David Thomas (2) in 1975 to put out Pere Ubu records.
The name derives from an anglo-saxon word for harp. The "p" is a transliteration of the Anglo-Saxon thorn, a character that was pronounced th. So it was first called HEARTHAN (pronounced hay-are-than, rhymes with van) but gradually gave way to HEARPEN (pronounced hay-are-pen) as the label's name. The logo designed for Hearthan stayed the same for Hearpen. A rule evolved that written, the name is "Hearpen", while integrated into a design it becomes "Hearthan." Hearpen is the favored pronunciation in all cases. Confusion was the foundation on which their business grew.
On December 11 2007 hearpen.com went online. It is a web site dedicated to sales of high quality audio downloads from Pere Ubu, David Thomas, Rocket From The Tombs, 15-60-75 and related bands.