Blur, The Velvet Underground, Placebo, James Blake and even Wings all owe something to time spent at Goldsmiths.

Now the New Cross university is hoping the launch of its own record label will add a whole new roster of music stars to its list of famous former students

The university has teamed up with electronic pioneer Matthew Herbert - who has remixed and produced tracks for renowned acts like Bjork and REM - to launch the NX Records label, run by the artists and students themselves.

Among other students from its popular music course, it will put out releases by young techno producer Thefft, indie trio These Ghosts and singer Niomi Eve.

Director of the course Simon Deacon said: "NX Records exists to showcase the talents, and hopefully launch the careers, of up and coming artists who have begun their creative journey at Goldsmiths.

"Initially it is intended as a platform for students from the popular music course."

They have some big musical boots to fill. John Cale famously proved a handful at the university when he attended in the 1960s before heading to New York and joining legendary Andy Warhol-inspired band The Velvet Underground.

And still the institution's most famous export is Blur - one of Britain's biggest bands of the past 20 years whose members Damon Albarn, Alex James and Graham Coxon met at Goldsmiths and who held a triumphant reunion gig at their old stomping ground in 2009.

Placebo singer Brian Molko and Wings guitarist Laurence Juber are both alumni along with recent students Katy B and critics' favourite James Blake - both former nominees for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.

Current students came up with the label's name to reflect the college's home town, and officially launched it last week at the Southbank Centre with an evening of live performance. A festival called PureGold showcasing the work of talented Goldsmiths students will continue there for six weeks.

Mr Herbert said: "Goldsmiths has a proud and impressive pedigree and I know the next generation there will be likely to produce broad and brilliant music.

"Instead of the tired major label model of throwing money at something and hoping it works, we will endeavour instead to give the many artists on the label the tools, skills, confidence and backing to be able to not only realise a meaningful version of their music, but to own the rights in it and to take an active role in how that music is made public."

For the PureGold festival programme visit southbankcentre.co.uk

To download a free NX Records mixtape, visit the website.