LAB Records
Encyclopedia
LAB Records is a British-based independent record label
operating from Manchester, England and founded by Mark Orr and Nathen McVittie. Orr originally conceptualised the label whilst in sixth form in 2005, and began working in the music industry as a music promoter under the title ‘Life’s A Beatch,’ in his hometown of Blackpool
.
, My First Tooth – and many bands who later became the first artists on the LAB Records roster: MiMi Soya, The Honeymoon Suite and Lost On Campus.
Having moved to University in Manchester, Orr teamed up with McVittie to release their first record in July 2007, a six-track CD by Stamford singer-songwriter Rob Lynch, aka Lost On Campus. Soon, the label became number one priority and made their first major breakthrough with the signing of Brighton’s MiMi Soya in March 2008. The female-fronted band released their debut EP 'The Four Penny Knee Trembler' in June 2008 and it has sold more than 5,000 units to date.
In May 2009, the label went full time in a new office, and launched their sister clothing line, LAB Apparel.
In the meantime, the label signed a second up-and-coming artist coming out of Brighton, UK - four-piece pop-rock band The Auteur. The band released a single and an EP through the label before playing a number of high-profile festivals in Summer 2009 - Download Festival
, T In The Park
Festival and Underage Festival.
In July 2009 the label released their highest-selling store release to date, 'It Hates You' by North Carolina rock band He Is Legend. The record was co-released with American label Tragic Hero Records
.
Also in August, The Morning Of
signed a 50-50 worldwide deal with LAB/Tragic Hero.
The label doubled its 2008 sales in 2009.
In November 2009, Pegasus Bridge's 'Yoko' single secured the label's first prime time Radio 1 airtime when Huw Stephens
premiered the track. The band went on to enjoy airplay from the likes of Zane Lowe and Vernon Kaye, as well as playing Radio 1's Big Weekend in Bangor, Wales in May 2010. Episode 3 of the label's LABtv series relates to One Big Weekend.
At the end of 2009 the label secured its first investment, though it remains entirely independent.
As of May 2010, the video for Not Advised's single 'The World's Not Ready' gave the label its first national television exposure after it premiered on Kerrang! TV. It went onto be featured on Scuzz
, Lava and Starz Television and is currently available to request on all of these channels.
In May 2010, the label released its first US store record alongside Tragic Hero, The Morning Of
's 'The Way I Fell In.' The album debuted at number 10 in the Billboard Heatseekers chart, selling 2100 copies first week.
In June 2010 the label signed New York pop/rock band Just Surrender
in the UK/EU.
In August 2010, Mark Orr conducted an interview with Punktastic.com in which he discussed the history of the label and their intention to move towards a more mainstream sound in 2011. "Our sound will go a little more poppy but I'm keen we retain our rock side too. I'm so keen that we can't be pigeon-holed and so we will have an eclectic roster."
In September 2010, Nathen McVittie announced via Twitter that he had left the company.
On 8 October 2010 it was announced that the label had signed Arizona pop-rock band The Summer Set
for the UK/Europe and would release 'Love Like This' in those territories at the start of 2011.
'While We're Young,' the debut mini-album release from Pegasus Bridge, received iTunes front page placement following its 1 November 2010 release and entered the iTunes rock chart, peaking at number 81. The band toured with Anberlin in November.
In December 2010, Not Advised toured Ireland and some of the UK with You Me At Six
and released 'The ARK,' the third single from their mini-album 'After The Fight.' It went onto feature prominently on the Scuzz
playlist.
On 29 January 2011, Charlee Drew performed in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge with Skepta
ahead of the release of the latter's new album 'Doin' It Again' which features Drew on the track 'Taking Too Long' and entered the official UK album chart at number 19. The label released Drew's debut single 'Sugar Rush' in July 2010.
On 24 June 2011, Pegasus Bridge announced they would be going on an indefinite hiatus via their official website. The news was greeted with much surprise from fans and lead to them trending fourth worldwide on Twitter. The band will play their final show on 17 September 2011 at Sound Control, Manchester.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
operating from Manchester, England and founded by Mark Orr and Nathen McVittie. Orr originally conceptualised the label whilst in sixth form in 2005, and began working in the music industry as a music promoter under the title ‘Life’s A Beatch,’ in his hometown of Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
.
History
LAB Promotions put on a number of shows in the Blackpool area during 2006-08 – featuring the likes of Kill The Arcade, Out Of Sight, Tellison, EncyclopediaEncyclopedia (band)
Encyclopedia is a rock band band from Yeovil, Somerset UK. Benjamin Wood and Oliver Herdsman started Encyclopedia in 2004 and built up a reputation for a unique live set by both playing Electric Guitar to a backing track of sequences and drum beats pre programmed onto an mp3 player.Encyclopedia...
, My First Tooth – and many bands who later became the first artists on the LAB Records roster: MiMi Soya, The Honeymoon Suite and Lost On Campus.
Having moved to University in Manchester, Orr teamed up with McVittie to release their first record in July 2007, a six-track CD by Stamford singer-songwriter Rob Lynch, aka Lost On Campus. Soon, the label became number one priority and made their first major breakthrough with the signing of Brighton’s MiMi Soya in March 2008. The female-fronted band released their debut EP 'The Four Penny Knee Trembler' in June 2008 and it has sold more than 5,000 units to date.
In May 2009, the label went full time in a new office, and launched their sister clothing line, LAB Apparel.
In the meantime, the label signed a second up-and-coming artist coming out of Brighton, UK - four-piece pop-rock band The Auteur. The band released a single and an EP through the label before playing a number of high-profile festivals in Summer 2009 - Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
, T In The Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
Festival and Underage Festival.
In July 2009 the label released their highest-selling store release to date, 'It Hates You' by North Carolina rock band He Is Legend. The record was co-released with American label Tragic Hero Records
Tragic Hero Records
Tragic Hero Records is a record label founded in Raleigh, North Carolina in March 2005 to represent the growing hardcore punk and harder wave of music in North Carolina. The label was founded by Tommy Lacombe, David Varnedoe and Jason Ganthner. Alesana was the first band the label signed...
.
Also in August, The Morning Of
The Morning Of
The Morning Of is a pop/indie/rock band originating from Newburgh, New York. The band's first EP, Welcome Change. Goodbye Gravity, held a steady spot in the Top 50 best selling albums on Smartpunk.com for six months. They also hold a steady spot on PureVolume's Top 100, and top 10 in their pop...
signed a 50-50 worldwide deal with LAB/Tragic Hero.
The label doubled its 2008 sales in 2009.
In November 2009, Pegasus Bridge's 'Yoko' single secured the label's first prime time Radio 1 airtime when Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens
Huw Stephens is a radio presenter currently broadcasting shows on BBC Radio 1.-Early life and career:Stephens was born in Cardiff, Wales, the son of the author and literary journalist Meic Stephens...
premiered the track. The band went on to enjoy airplay from the likes of Zane Lowe and Vernon Kaye, as well as playing Radio 1's Big Weekend in Bangor, Wales in May 2010. Episode 3 of the label's LABtv series relates to One Big Weekend.
At the end of 2009 the label secured its first investment, though it remains entirely independent.
As of May 2010, the video for Not Advised's single 'The World's Not Ready' gave the label its first national television exposure after it premiered on Kerrang! TV. It went onto be featured on Scuzz
Scuzz
Scuzz is a British music television channel owned and operated by CSC Media Group . It launched on 17 April 2003 and has gone on to be the highest-rated rock TV station on UK satellite. The channel plays a broad range of rock and all its subgenres...
, Lava and Starz Television and is currently available to request on all of these channels.
In May 2010, the label released its first US store record alongside Tragic Hero, The Morning Of
The Morning Of
The Morning Of is a pop/indie/rock band originating from Newburgh, New York. The band's first EP, Welcome Change. Goodbye Gravity, held a steady spot in the Top 50 best selling albums on Smartpunk.com for six months. They also hold a steady spot on PureVolume's Top 100, and top 10 in their pop...
's 'The Way I Fell In.' The album debuted at number 10 in the Billboard Heatseekers chart, selling 2100 copies first week.
In June 2010 the label signed New York pop/rock band Just Surrender
Just Surrender
Just Surrender was a rock band from Dover Plains, New York, formerly known as A Second Chance. Just Surrender was formed by three high school friends Jason Maffucci, Andrew Meunier, and Steve Miller. Vocalist/guitarist Dan Simons, formerly of "The Record Collection," joined the original three...
in the UK/EU.
In August 2010, Mark Orr conducted an interview with Punktastic.com in which he discussed the history of the label and their intention to move towards a more mainstream sound in 2011. "Our sound will go a little more poppy but I'm keen we retain our rock side too. I'm so keen that we can't be pigeon-holed and so we will have an eclectic roster."
In September 2010, Nathen McVittie announced via Twitter that he had left the company.
On 8 October 2010 it was announced that the label had signed Arizona pop-rock band The Summer Set
The Summer Set
The Summer Set are a pop-punk band from Scottsdale, Arizona.-History:After a few years of playing music together, Jess Bowen and brothers John and Stephen Gomez, set out in the fall of 2007 to form The Summer Set with newfound vocalist Brian Dales. Jess, John, and Stephen played in a previous band...
for the UK/Europe and would release 'Love Like This' in those territories at the start of 2011.
'While We're Young,' the debut mini-album release from Pegasus Bridge, received iTunes front page placement following its 1 November 2010 release and entered the iTunes rock chart, peaking at number 81. The band toured with Anberlin in November.
In December 2010, Not Advised toured Ireland and some of the UK with You Me At Six
You Me At Six
You Me at Six is a British rock band from Weybridge, Surrey. Formed in 2004, the group rose to fame in 2008 with the success of their debut album, Take Off Your Colours, which included the singles "Save It for the Bedroom", "Finders Keepers" and "Kiss and Tell", with the latter two peaking at #33...
and released 'The ARK,' the third single from their mini-album 'After The Fight.' It went onto feature prominently on the Scuzz
Scuzz
Scuzz is a British music television channel owned and operated by CSC Media Group . It launched on 17 April 2003 and has gone on to be the highest-rated rock TV station on UK satellite. The channel plays a broad range of rock and all its subgenres...
playlist.
On 29 January 2011, Charlee Drew performed in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge with Skepta
Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga , better known as Skepta, is an English rapper from London. Originally from and born to Nigerian parents he moved to London aged three....
ahead of the release of the latter's new album 'Doin' It Again' which features Drew on the track 'Taking Too Long' and entered the official UK album chart at number 19. The label released Drew's debut single 'Sugar Rush' in July 2010.
On 24 June 2011, Pegasus Bridge announced they would be going on an indefinite hiatus via their official website. The news was greeted with much surprise from fans and lead to them trending fourth worldwide on Twitter. The band will play their final show on 17 September 2011 at Sound Control, Manchester.
Current artists
- Not Advised
- Portia Conn
- FutureProofFutureProofFutureProof are an electro-pop band, DJ collective and team of producers originally from Hertfordshire, England, signed to LAB Records.Their debut single, "One More Chance", was released on 1 May 2011, alongside a promotional video for the track on their official website.They released their second...
- Katie Sky
Distribution Signings
- The Morning OfThe Morning OfThe Morning Of is a pop/indie/rock band originating from Newburgh, New York. The band's first EP, Welcome Change. Goodbye Gravity, held a steady spot in the Top 50 best selling albums on Smartpunk.com for six months. They also hold a steady spot on PureVolume's Top 100, and top 10 in their pop...
- HellogoodbyeHellogoodbyeHellogoodbye is a power pop band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in 2006, in addition to their previously released EP Hellogoodbye...
- The Summer SetThe Summer SetThe Summer Set are a pop-punk band from Scottsdale, Arizona.-History:After a few years of playing music together, Jess Bowen and brothers John and Stephen Gomez, set out in the fall of 2007 to form The Summer Set with newfound vocalist Brian Dales. Jess, John, and Stephen played in a previous band...
- Confide
Former artists
- My Actions Your Exit
- The Honeymoon Suite
- Just SurrenderJust SurrenderJust Surrender was a rock band from Dover Plains, New York, formerly known as A Second Chance. Just Surrender was formed by three high school friends Jason Maffucci, Andrew Meunier, and Steve Miller. Vocalist/guitarist Dan Simons, formerly of "The Record Collection," joined the original three...
- Blitz Kids
- Lost On Campus
- Adelaide
- The Auteur
- Jeremy Ashida
- MiMi Soya
- He Is LegendHe Is LegendHe Is Legend is a hard rock band formed in Wilmington, North Carolina who signed to Tragic Hero Records in 2009. The band consists of vocalist front man Schuylar Croom, guitarist Adam Tanbouz, drummer Steven Bache, bassist Matt Williams....
- Lost On Landing
- Eat Sleep Attack
- Pegasus Bridge
- Charlee Drew
Staff
- Mark Orr - Founder, Director of A&R
- Matt Sayward - A&R, Catalogue Management
- Duncan Howsley - Director of Creative Marketing