Mother Records
Encyclopedia
Mother Records was a record label
founded by the band U2
in 1984 and distributed by parent Island Records
. The intent was 'to unearth fresh musical talent in Éire (Republic of Ireland
)'. As a supportive promotional platform, the label released several one-off single releases for The Hothouse Flowers
, In Tua Nua
and Cactus World News
amongst others.
's "Coming Thru". In 1990, the label was reorganised into an independent record company. Debut artists for the revamped label were The Golden Horde
and Engine Alley. The Golden Horde's album released on Mother Records The Golden Horde, was voted joint #1 record with U2's Achtung Baby
in the prestigious Hot Press Music Awards of 1991. Engine Alley's debut album A Sonic Holiday, produced by Steve Lillywhite
, followed in 1992. Also at this time, The Sugarcubes
joined the Mother label roster.
After leaving the Sugarcubes, Björk
stayed with Mother for her solo releases Debut, Post, Telegram
, and Homogenic
. Other artists to join the label's roster were Longpigs, Gil Scott-Heron
, Alicia Bridges
, Tanita Tikaram
, Lena Fiagbe
, Audioweb
, and Adam Clayton
's and Larry Mullen's "Theme From Mission: Impossible".
The label ceased operations in 2000.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
founded by the band U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
in 1984 and distributed by parent Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. The intent was 'to unearth fresh musical talent in Éire (Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
)'. As a supportive promotional platform, the label released several one-off single releases for The Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
, In Tua Nua
In Tua Nua
In Tua Nua was an Irish rock group who achieved a modicum of fame and success in both Ireland and Europe throughout the late 1980s.- Biography :...
and Cactus World News
Cactus World News
Cactus World News were an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1984. Founded by Frank Kearns and Eoin McEvoy the original members were: Kearns, McEvoy, Wayne Sheehy, and Fergal MacAindris. The new line up consists of Kearns, Wayne Sheehy, Fergal MacAindris, Eoin Scott and Eoin Watkins...
amongst others.
History
The label was launched on 1 August 1984 by U2. Its debut single was In Tua NuaIn Tua Nua
In Tua Nua was an Irish rock group who achieved a modicum of fame and success in both Ireland and Europe throughout the late 1980s.- Biography :...
's "Coming Thru". In 1990, the label was reorganised into an independent record company. Debut artists for the revamped label were The Golden Horde
The Golden Horde (band)
The Golden Horde were a rock, punk, psychedelic band based in Dublin, Ireland. The most renowned line-up of the band was: Peter O'Kennedy, John Connor, Sam Steiger, Des O' Byrne, and Simon Carmody, although at the very first live performance, there were 13 band members on stage.Their first...
and Engine Alley. The Golden Horde's album released on Mother Records The Golden Horde, was voted joint #1 record with U2's Achtung Baby
Achtung Baby
Achtung Baby is the seventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 19 November 1991 on Island Records. Stung by the criticism of their 1988 release Rattle and Hum, U2 shifted their musical direction to incorporate alternative...
in the prestigious Hot Press Music Awards of 1991. Engine Alley's debut album A Sonic Holiday, produced by Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite is an English Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited for working on over 500 records and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Peter Gabriel,...
, followed in 1992. Also at this time, The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes
The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.-History:...
joined the Mother label roster.
After leaving the Sugarcubes, Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
stayed with Mother for her solo releases Debut, Post, Telegram
Telegram (album)
Telegram is the first full-length remix album by Icelandic singer-songwriter/musician Björk. The album is a collection of remixes of several tracks from her album Post, which had all previously appeared as B-sides of the UK versions of the singles off Post, including the non-album track, "My...
, and Homogenic
Homogenic
Homogenic is the fourth studio album by Icelandic musician Björk, released in September 1997. Produced by Björk, Mark Bell, Guy Sigsworth, Howie B and Markus Dravs, it was released on One Little Indian Records...
. Other artists to join the label's roster were Longpigs, Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s...
, Alicia Bridges
Alicia Bridges
Alicia Bridges is an American singer who co-wrote and performed her international hit "I Love the Nightlife " in 1978.-Early years:...
, Tanita Tikaram
Tanita Tikaram
Tanita Tikaram is a British pop/folk singer-songwriter, best known for the hits "Twist in My Sobriety" and "Good Tradition" from her 1988 debut album, Ancient Heart...
, Lena Fiagbe
Lena Fiagbe
Lena Fiagbe is a British soul singer-songwriter, known for her single "Gotta Get It Right" in the UK . It was taken from her debut album, Visions, which was released on Mother Records in 1994. The album also spawned another hit single called "What's It Like to Be Beautiful".Fiagbe's debut single...
, Audioweb
Audioweb
Audioweb were a rock/reggae/electronica band based in Manchester, England. They formed in 1991, originally as The Sugar Merchants.-Personnel:*Martin "Sugar" Merchant *Sean McCann *Robin File *Robert "Maxi" Maxfield -Career:...
, and Adam Clayton
Adam Clayton
Adam Charles Clayton is a musician, best known as the bassist of the Irish rock band U2. Clayton has resided in County Dublin since the time his family moved to Malahide when he was five years old in 1965...
's and Larry Mullen's "Theme From Mission: Impossible".
The label ceased operations in 2000.