Marrakesh is …

the label that signed and launched the career of a slightly well-known US rock band called The Killers. “But wasn’t that Lizard King?” we hear you say. To which you might well add “And aren’t they now signed to Island Records?” Well, both are true - but not quite.

It’s a bit of a long story …

In 2004 we did indeed sign The Killers. We put out their first EP and singles, and the album Hot Fuss, which sold 1.5 million units on our label. Which was all fine and dandy, except that we weren’t really enjoying it. The two founders (Dom and Martin) weren’t getting on. And Ben and Siona – the team who ran the label day-to-day – needed to spread their wings and wanted to start their own label.

So …

Dom bought out Martin, who then exiled himself in America (silly chap). Ben and Siona left to set up the new Lavolta imprint with Sony/BMG. And Dom kept hold of The Killers but – with the band’s blessing (since we’re friends) - licensed Hot Fuss on to Island/Mercury, the logic being that the world’s largest record company might be just a little bit better at marketing a catalogue album than us.

Then …

We re-launched the label as Marrakesh Records. The label is now run by Dom, plus a very smart and experienced marketing person called Julia, and a bright/able/capable label manager called Alex. Our aim is to sign 1-3 bands per year and do things the old fashioned way – creatively, supportively, sensibly, and by working really, really hard. And, you never know, we might just have a success like the Killers all over again (thanks Brandon, Dave, Mark and Ronnie).