Martin Kelly (Heavenly)
Encyclopedia
Martin Kelly has been a musician, music manager, record label boss, music publisher and author. Best known as Jeff Barrett
's partner at Heavenly Recordings, a British independent record label run by the pair between 1993-2009.
, Johhny Wood and Spencer Smith. Episode Four managed only one EP release, the 1986 12" 'Strike Up Matches' which has gone on to become one of the most collectable singles of the C86
indie era.
PR man Jeff Barrett
. Barrett wanted to sign the band to Head but suggested they came up with a new name first. The debut East Village
single was recorded just as the Head label folded in 1987. Barrett then launched the new label imprint Sub Aqua and East Village released two EPs in 1987 and 1988. In 1989 the band began work on their debut album "Drop Out". Regarded by some as a lost classic, the album was released in 1993, two years after the band had split. Prices on original Episode Four and East Village
records continue to rise and the band have achieved something of a cult status.
Kelly began working for Jeff Barrett at his independent press company Capersville, assisting with PR duties for a wide range of artists including the Happy Mondays, Primal Scream, New Order and My Bloody Valentine. During this time Barrett and Kelly became close friends and in 1990 Barrett hatched the idea for a new label Heavenly. Over the next 20 years Heavenly would launch the careers of Saint Etienne
, Manic Street Preachers
, Beth Orton
, Ed Harcourt
, Doves
and The Magic Numbers
. After a brief stint in 1992 when Kelly worked for Alan McGee
at Creation Records, in 1993 Barrett asked him to become his partner at the label. At that time Kelly had begun managing one of the labels key acts, Saint Etienne
, something he does to this day. In 1994 Kelly was involved in starting up The Heavenly Social club with Jeff Barrett, Robin Turner and Nick Dewey. The Social proved to be a pivotal moment in London club culture as it spawned a musical genre, big beat
. Kelly is still a partner in The Social, a 7 days a week, nightclub and bar in central London. In 2009 Kelly switched his focus from recorded music to song publishing and set up Heavenly Songs Limited via Bucks Music in early 2010.
. It has been published in several languages around the world.
', a documentary about London (directed by Paul Kelly and Kieran Evans), was released to coincide with Saint Etienne's album of the same name and met with huge critical acclaim. 'What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day?' (2005) and 'This Is Tomorrow' (2007) both directed by Paul Kelly further cemented the teams' reputation for producing high quality documentaries. In autumn 2010 brothers Paul and Martin set up Heavenly Films Limited with Bob Stanley
from Saint Etienne and Kieran Evans with the intention of producing a series of new documentary films.
Jeff Barrett
Jeff Barrett is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers.-References:...
's partner at Heavenly Recordings, a British independent record label run by the pair between 1993-2009.
Early years
Kelly was born in Cyprus, the son of an RAF Squadron leader Michael "Manx" Kelly, who would later go on to form the Rothmans aerobatic display team. Relocated to the UK when his father was posted to Bomber Command in 1968, Kelly grew up in rural Buckinghamshire near Princes Risborough. The death of his father in May 1976 and the advent of punk rock profoundly affected him, and by the late 70s he was obsessed with music and had begun playing guitar and bass in various school bands. In 1983, aged 17, Kelly formed a new group Episode Four with his brother Paul KellyPaul Kelly (film maker)
Paul Kelly is an English film director, musician, photographer and designer.-Music:The son of an RAF fighter pilot - he took up flying aged fourteen, making his first solo flight on his seventeenth birthday. However, a passion for music and electric guitars eventually led him to follow a musical...
, Johhny Wood and Spencer Smith. Episode Four managed only one EP release, the 1986 12" 'Strike Up Matches' which has gone on to become one of the most collectable singles of the C86
C86 (music)
C86 is a cassette compilation released by the British music magazine NME in 1986, featuring new bands licensed from independent labels of the time. As a phrase, C86 quickly evolved into shorthand for a guitar-based musical genre characterised by "jangly" guitars and fey melodies, although other...
indie era.
East Village
In late 1986 Episode Four crossed paths with Head Records boss and Creation RecordsCreation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
PR man Jeff Barrett
Jeff Barrett
Jeff Barrett is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for three seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers.-References:...
. Barrett wanted to sign the band to Head but suggested they came up with a new name first. The debut East Village
East Village (band)
Formed in the mid '80s by two brothers, Martin and Paul Kelly, East Village were an indie pop band from Princes Risborough, England. The band's music, which drew heavily on the influence of 1960s guitar bands such as The Byrds, The Beatles,and Buffalo Springfield was in stark contrast to the acid...
single was recorded just as the Head label folded in 1987. Barrett then launched the new label imprint Sub Aqua and East Village released two EPs in 1987 and 1988. In 1989 the band began work on their debut album "Drop Out". Regarded by some as a lost classic, the album was released in 1993, two years after the band had split. Prices on original Episode Four and East Village
East Village (band)
Formed in the mid '80s by two brothers, Martin and Paul Kelly, East Village were an indie pop band from Princes Risborough, England. The band's music, which drew heavily on the influence of 1960s guitar bands such as The Byrds, The Beatles,and Buffalo Springfield was in stark contrast to the acid...
records continue to rise and the band have achieved something of a cult status.
Heavenly
During the later part of his time with East VillageEast Village (band)
Formed in the mid '80s by two brothers, Martin and Paul Kelly, East Village were an indie pop band from Princes Risborough, England. The band's music, which drew heavily on the influence of 1960s guitar bands such as The Byrds, The Beatles,and Buffalo Springfield was in stark contrast to the acid...
Kelly began working for Jeff Barrett at his independent press company Capersville, assisting with PR duties for a wide range of artists including the Happy Mondays, Primal Scream, New Order and My Bloody Valentine. During this time Barrett and Kelly became close friends and in 1990 Barrett hatched the idea for a new label Heavenly. Over the next 20 years Heavenly would launch the careers of Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne
Saint Étienne is French for Saint Stephen."Saint Etienne" may further refer to:- France :*Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, a church in Paris, FranceCommunes*Saint-Étienne, in the Loire department*Saint-Étienne-à-Arnes, in the Ardennes department...
, Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
, Beth Orton
Beth Orton
Beth Orton is a BRIT Award–winning English singer-songwriter, known for her 'folktronica' sound, which mixes elements of folk and electronica. She was initially recognised for her collaborations with William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers in the mid 1990s. However, these were not Orton's first...
, Ed Harcourt
Ed Harcourt
Ed Harcourt is an English singer-songwriter. To date, he has released five studio albums, two EPs, and thirteen singles. His debut album, Here Be Monsters, was nominated for the 2001 Mercury Prize...
, Doves
Doves
Doves are an English alternative indie rock band, originating from Wilmslow, Cheshire. The band comprises brothers Jez Williams and Andy Williams , and Jimi Goodwin . The members started working seriously together after meeting at The Haçienda in Manchester. Doves' unofficial fourth member is...
and The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers
The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters from Greenford. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album titled The Magic Numbers on 13 June 2005...
. After a brief stint in 1992 when Kelly worked for Alan McGee
Alan McGee
Alan McGee has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for The Guardian.McGee is best-known for co-forming and running the independent Creation Records label from 1983–1999, and then Poptones from 1999-2007...
at Creation Records, in 1993 Barrett asked him to become his partner at the label. At that time Kelly had begun managing one of the labels key acts, Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne
Saint Étienne is French for Saint Stephen."Saint Etienne" may further refer to:- France :*Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, a church in Paris, FranceCommunes*Saint-Étienne, in the Loire department*Saint-Étienne-à-Arnes, in the Ardennes department...
, something he does to this day. In 1994 Kelly was involved in starting up The Heavenly Social club with Jeff Barrett, Robin Turner and Nick Dewey. The Social proved to be a pivotal moment in London club culture as it spawned a musical genre, big beat
Big beat
Big beat is a term employed since the mid-1990s by the British music press to describe much of the music by artists such as The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, and Propellerheads typically driven by heavy breakbeats and synthesizer-generated loops and patterns in...
. Kelly is still a partner in The Social, a 7 days a week, nightclub and bar in central London. In 2009 Kelly switched his focus from recorded music to song publishing and set up Heavenly Songs Limited via Bucks Music in early 2010.
Author
June 2010 saw the publication of Kelly's first book Fender:The Golden Age 1946-1970. Written by Kelly and designed and photographed by his brother Paul, with a forward by Terry Foster the book is a detailed account of the early years of Fender musical instruments, when the company still had connections with its creator Leo FenderLeo Fender
Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender was an American inventor who founded Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company, or "Fender" for short...
. It has been published in several languages around the world.
Heavenly Films
As manager of Saint Etienne Kelly was involved in the production of three feature length films made by the band and Paul Kelly between 2004-2008. The first 'FinisterreFinisterre
Finisterre, Finisterra, Fisterra, or Finistère may refer to:Places* Cape Finisterre , headland in Galicia, north-west Spain, the Southern landfall of the Bay of Biscay...
', a documentary about London (directed by Paul Kelly and Kieran Evans), was released to coincide with Saint Etienne's album of the same name and met with huge critical acclaim. 'What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day?' (2005) and 'This Is Tomorrow' (2007) both directed by Paul Kelly further cemented the teams' reputation for producing high quality documentaries. In autumn 2010 brothers Paul and Martin set up Heavenly Films Limited with Bob Stanley
Bob Stanley
Robert William "Bob" Stanley is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox.Over his 13-year career, Stanley played only for the Red Sox from 1977-89...
from Saint Etienne and Kieran Evans with the intention of producing a series of new documentary films.