History
The label was founded in March 2004. While the music business was struggling with a crisis, producer Hayo Lewerentz (e. g. Boytronic, U96) wanted to give talented electro pop acts a chance by making their music available, and therefore founded Major Records.
In July 2004, Major Records released the double album Maxi by Boytronic, a best-of including new tracks and remixes. Concurrently, they released the album Words Once Said by Celluloide from France.
In 2005, the company signed further bands and projects and thus broadened their profile. The group Ultrafox, formed by two members of the Sneaker Pimps and two German vocalists, released their album Ice Skating on Major Records, the Irish duo Eden their CD Desolate Shores, and Leeloo Kobayashi (former Propaganda member Andreas Thein) his album Playthings.
In 2006, Major Records kicked off the compilation series elektrisch!, in collaboration with the online music magazine re-flexion. Popular bands in Synth- and Electropop such as Alphaville, Erasure or Goldfrapp, as well as newcomers contribute with exclusive or rare songs and remixes. elektrisch! 1 was released in March 2006, elektrisch! 2 in February 2007.
In spring 2006, the label signed Chris Corner aka IAMX, head of the Sneaker Pimps. They released his second solo album, The Alternative, as well as the debut Kiss + Swallow as a re-release. Also, pop trio X-Perience from Berlin, who had some hits during the 90s, joined Major Records for their comeback album Lost in Paradise, including a duet with Midge Ure called Personal Heaven.
In 2007, Major Records signed the British band Ladytron. They released their album Witching Hour as a new, extended edition with a bonus CD. Also in 2007, Major Records released the debut album Eins by Purwien, the new band of Second Decay frontman Christian Purwien.
Looking for newcomers, the label discovered Indiepop band Yuno from Hamburg, whose first album Satellite was released in 2007, as well as the Gothic Pop/Rock band Pearls of Dew, who came up with their debut album Alpha the same year.
Also in 2007, label boss Hayo Lewerentz founded the subsidiary Major Digital, by which the artists’ songs are released as downloads only.
New signings include British bands Mechanical Cabaret, Scarlet Soho, and The Promise from Hamburg.
Planned physical releases in 2008:
- ELEKTRISCH Vol. 3 (Compilation including Moby, Kim Wilde, Ladytron, Yazoo, Apoptygma Berzerk, Covenant, and IAMX)
- LADYTRON "Velocifero" (Album)
- MECHANICAL CABARET - tba
- SCARLET SOHO - tba
- OBSCENITY TRIAL - "That night"
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