Fashion designer. Movie producer. Restauranteur. Nightclub impresario. And now, record label mogul. Is there an entertainment industry hat Victor Drai won’t try on?
Drai’s Entertainment—whose local venues include the rooftop nightclub and nightclub atop the Cromwell, the afterhours space beneath it, and both Liaison Nightclub and Indigo Lounge across the street at Bally’s—announced today that it has teamed up with Capitol Records and Turn First Artists management/A&R group to launch a new dance label called After Hours. Its “360” multi-tiered contracts offer signed acts not only major-label-league distribution and experienced artist development, but a residency at Drai’s, as well as access to other national partner nightclubs. It will maintain offices in New York, LA, London—and Las Vegas.
“With all of our clubs and venues open literally at the center of the Las Vegas Strip...we are immersed in EDM culture,” Victor Drai said in a statement. “We have created the most spectacular venues to feature artists nightly in front of thousands of guests from around the globe. Having a record label is the next logical step for Drai’s Enterprises. We are looking forward to discovering and showcasing the next generation of music.”
After Hours isn’t the first local nightlife foray into the record business. Wynn Resorts and electronic dance music behemoth Ultra Music have co-released three mix compilations—one each branded with XS, Surrender and Encore Beach Club, with the XS edition mixed by veteran local DJ Warren Peace—under the Wynn/Ultra name, featuring songs by Wynn Nightlife resident acts. Last year, Marquee released a branded mix including the music of its resident DJs via Dutch label Black Hole Recordings. And though the enterprise is based in Southern California, Interscope Records’ new electronic dance label is a collaboration with (and named after) Electric Daisy Carnival promoter Insomniac, and will release the full length of Drai’s resident Arty later this year.
