Ex-ELASTICA guitarist DONNA MATTHEWS looks set to become one of the first signings to ALAN McGEE‘s new record label, POPTONES.
According to press reports, Matthews is expected to sign to Poptones by the middle of June.
A spokesperson for the label told nme.com: “Poptones are currently talking to Donna Matthews with a view to signing her as a long-term recording artist. As yet nothing has been signed.”
Matthews has been writing and recording material in London for some time, and is said to be looking to release material in the near future. It remains unclear how much material she has finished since she left Elastica, or whether she has formed a new band.
Matthews officially left Elastica in March last year to pursue “other projects”. At that time record company reports claimed her departure was due to “a breakdown in both personal and creative relationships within the group”.
However, in the last year friendships appear to have been restored, with Matthews rejoining her old band on stage at the London Kentish Town Forum in April.
Alan McGee‘s new label, Poptones, claim they will offer music online and via digital downloads, as well as selling records through traditional retail outlets. McGee is also intent on keeping the retail price of albums down to #9.99.
According to press reports, Alan McGee is currently in negotiation with 18 acts for his new label. However, his spokesperson dismissed rumours they are to sign the ex-Hurricane #1 vocalist Alex Lowe and the Beta Band‘s guest rapper Sean Revron. She said: “We had initial talks, nothing more.”