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Marshall relaunches Infectious
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 22 January 2009
Korda Marshall, the former MD of Warner Music UK, is going all indie again by re-launching his label Infectious, perhaps best known for its work with Ash.
Marshall, as fans of indie label history will know, originally formed Infectious in 1994 after over a decade working in A&R for RCA Records, part of BMG by the time he left the company. He later merged Infectious with Australian independent music firm Mushroom to create Mushroom UK, of which Infectious became an imprint.
Warner acquired Mushroom UK in 2003, with Marshall becoming MD of the division into which the indie was merged, then EastWest, soon to rebranded Atlantic. He later became MD of Warner Music UK, where he stayed until last October when he announced he was leaving the major. It seems Marshall left Warner because he’d been approached by investors with the idea of relaunching Infectious.
Among those investors are Marshall’s former business partner Michael Gudinski of the Mushroom Group in Australia, plus a music, sport and theatre producer called Michael Watt. Both are minority shareholders in the new label.
The new company, which will have music publishing and management divisions as well as being a record label, will, I think, sign UK acts plus work with bands signed to Aussie labels in the Mushroom group. Certainly the first band on the new Infectious roster, Aussies The Temper Trap, are signed to Gudinski’s Liberation Music label in their home country.
Confirming the relaunch of Infectious, Marshall told CMU: “Having spent the last six years working within a big organisation, where I had a great time and learnt a lot, I’m incredibly excited about going back to running an independent label. These are really interesting times for the music industry, which continues to evolve and although there are still big challenges to overcome I believe there are fantastic opportunities for labels who are willing to embrace new ideas and new ways of working with artists”.
He continued: “As well as being a record company we plan to launch music publishing and artist management arms in due course and will be looking to embrace new ideas wherever possible. I’m also really lucky to have investors who believe in me and my vision for Infectious”.
“In the 25 years that I have been finding artists and helping develop their careers the most exciting and creative period was when I was working with Michael Gudinski. I am delighted to have him and Michael Watt on board as they will both bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and support to our new company”.
“It’s great to have made The Temper Trap our first signing. They are an amazing band with fantastic songs and a brilliant live show and if early reactions are anything to go by they are going to provide the perfect debut release for our company”.
Former Infectious execs Pat Carr and Mirelle Davis, now of Remote Control and Wind Up Bird respectively, will consult for the new label on general management and international marketing respectively, while Sound Advice will handle the label’s legal and financial affairs.
