Northern Star Records

Northern Star Records is a UK based record label which started in 2005 and soon became the leading pioneers of the third wave in the psychedelic music genre after their first compilation release Psychedelica Vol. 1. The release soon gained cult status and was praised by Billboard for bringing the genre into the mainstream.

Their first release (Vol. 1) featured such bands as Electric Prunes, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Angels, The Bavarian Drug lords, the Dolly Rocker Movement, The Lovetones, Silver Apples, The Electric Mainline and The Telescopes.

Their follow-up album Psychedelica Vol. 2 soon hit the mainstream press and gained respect from the NME, Uncut, Mojo and The Times.

The label was started by Andy Oliver and Scott Causer.

Psychedelica Vol. 3 is being compiled at the moment which is to feature high-profile bands.

Northern Star Records is a UK based record label founded by Scott Causer and Andy Oliver in 2005. The label launched in March 2006 with their first release, the double cd compilation Psychedelica Vol. 1. The release soon gained cult status and was praised by Billboard for bringing the genre into the mainstream, as the label was increasing viewed as being the leading pioneers of the third wave of psychededelia.

Psychedelica Vol: 1 featured high profile bands such as Electric Prunes, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Silver Apples, The Fuzztones and The Telescopes and introduced the world to The Black Angels, The Dolly Rocker Movement, The Lovetones, The Stevenson Ranch Davidians and The Electric Mainline.

Psychedelica Vol: 2 followed in March 2007 and featured a whole host of brand new bands including The Quarter After, The People’s Revolutionary Choir, Mainline (now The Brothers Movement), The Asteroid #4, Sunsplit, The Voices, Hopewell, Air Cav and The Soft Hearted Scientists.

2008 was a landmark year for the label. In February Andy Oliver left to pursue his own interests which left Scott Causer take the label forward and in a new direction. A raucous show at London Notting Hills Arts Club featuring Northern Star mainstays The Nova Saints, Say and Satsangi and the first ever UK gig of Italian band The Zen Circus hinted at the future direction of the label and kept the flame burning.

Psychedelica Three did not emerge till November 2008 but when it did it arrived with a bang. The album largely featured underground acts but did include cameo appearances from the likes of Kim and Kelley Deal (from The Pixies and The Breeders) and Brian Ritchie (from The Violent Femmes) on The Zen Circus’ contribution. The album also featured The Electric Soft Parade, a remix by Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom and an exclusive from longtime John Foxx collaborator Louis Gordon. The album was a massive success and brought bands such as The Lea Shores, The Nova Saints, The High Dials, Youngteam, The December Sound, God Is An Astronaut, Sennen, Their Hearts Were Full of Spring and Hush The Many (Heed The Few) to further prominence. A packed out launch show featuring The Arrows of Love, The Nova Saints, Aspen Woods and Youngteam played out at Notting Hill Arts Club’s RoTa to a rapturous audience.

Tracks from the Psychedelica series have been aired on numerous radio shows around the world and have been played by prominent DJs such as Bob Harris, Tom Robinson, Adam Walton and Huw Stephens on their BBC shows. The albums have also been subject og great critical acclaim garnering almost universal rave reviews from the likes of NME, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Mojo, The Word, Uncut, Reverb, Clash Magazine, Billboard, Slurp, Rumore and many more.

The label’s promise to break through into the mainstream is looking more and more likely with the latest Northern Star compilation ‘Revolution In Sound’ which is expected Summer 2009. The album is said to feature some of the most exciting independent bands on the planet. A full line-up is yet to be announced but bands rumoured to be set for a return include The Nova Saints, The December Sound, The Voices, The Electric Mainline and Youngteam who will appear alongside bands who are new to Northern Star such as The Manhattan Love Suicides, Laboratory Noise, Delicasession, Kontakte and Punk TV.