Legendary label Casablanca launches in Australia

Casablanca Records, the US label that helped propel the careers of KISS, Parliament, Donna Summer and T.Rex has been given a local launch, under Universal Music Australia.

Casablanca Records Australia has launched today with four indie and electronic music artists inked to the roster: Melbourne’s Running Touch, Newcastle ‘lovetronica’ act Just A Gent, Sydney-based newcomer St Albion and Celia Pavey’s alt-folk project Vera Blue.

As a UMA imprint, Casablanca Records Australia aims to sign and support emerging acts by using the talent represented through its international arm as the blueprint.

Following its ‘70s heyday under founder Neil Bogart (who named the label after his favourite film) Casablanca relaunched in 2000 and then again in 2012 as an electronic music imprint. It has since released music by acts such as Felix Jaehn, Sigma and Tiësto, along with albums by Australia’s Tigerlily, The Presets and Pnau (with Elton John) and New Zealand’s Ladyhawke.

This first release under Casablanca Records Australia will be from Running Touch. His last single Levitate is out in partnership with Republic/Casablanca Records USA, Casablanca Records France, Virgin/EMI UK and Universal Music in Netherlands, Sweden, Latin America.

Running Touch spent the first year-and-a-half of his career as an independent artist. Speaking to TMN, he said that while his decision to shy away from label contract offers was necessary, signing to Casablanca was the obvious next step.

“I spent the first 18 months of this project devoted to releasing music independently and letting things happen organically – and for both myself and my immediate management, keeping creative control, staying honest and holding true to the Running Touch project was always very important – the business side of things was not a priority.

“The label team at Casablanca really understood my vision and signing with a globally renowned brand like Casablanca was undoubtedly the best choice,” he added. “The waiting paid off, and everything has now fallen into place very naturally.”

Casablanca enters the local industry in atimely fashion as dance label Ministry of Sound Australia enters discussions with UMA regarding the renewal of the pair’s partnership.

Casablanca Records Australia will receive an official launch in Brisbane on Thursday, September 8 at the newly established 256 Wickham. UMA said the lineup and ticket details will be announced “soon”.