Martin Kelly (Heavenly)

Martin Kelly (born 17 July 1965, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus) 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.

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 Kelly, 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.

In late 1986 Episode Four crossed paths with Head Records boss and Creation Records 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.

During the later part of his time with East Village 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.

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