Making Waves started as a specialist distributor and importer in the late 1970s. Their activities at that time were twofold: 1. distribution of UK independent and folk labels, 2. importer/distributor of "Euro-rock" and electronic based music, including labels such as: Cobra, Egg, Sky Records, Spoon Records, etc. For such imports they usually adhered their distinctive blue print circular sticker.

In 1985 Making Waves established their own record label, initially distributed by Priority Records (2) (via EMI) and later by C.M. Distribution, before being bought by parent company Celtic Music.