| LAB Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Distributor(s) | Shellshock, Code 7, Plastic Head(UK) Sonic (NL) |
| Genre | Pop Rock Indie Alternative Emo Pop Rock Pop Punk |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Location | Manchester |
| Official Website | labrecs.com |
LAB Records (pronounced lab) is a British-based independent record label operating from Manchester, England and founded by Mark Orr and Nathen McVittie.[1] 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.[2]
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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, 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.[3][4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
Also in August, The Morning Of signed a 50-50 worldwide deal with LAB/Tragic Hero. [7]
The label doubled its 2008 sales in 2009.[8]
In November 2009, Pegasus Bridge's 'Yoko' single secured the label's first prime time Radio 1 airtime when Huw Stephens premiered the track.[9] 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.[10] Episode 3 of the label's LABtv series relates to One Big Weekend.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13]
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 [14] 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. [15]
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.[16] [17]
'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 chart, peaking at number 81.[18] 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. [19]
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. [20] The label released Drew's debut single 'Sugar Rush' in July 2010. [21]
On 24 June 2011, Pegasus Bridge announced they would be going on an indefinite hiatus via their official website. [22] The news was greeted with much surprise from fans and lead to them trending fourth worldwide on Twitter. [23] The band will play their final show on 17 September 2011 at Sound Control, Manchester. [24]