Reverend And The Makers clash with record label

Jon McClure's label lashes back after free album plans

The boss of Reverend And The Makers’ record label, Wall Of Sound, has spoken about Jon ‘The Reverend’ McClure’s plans to release his next album free, explaining that the issue has caused a massive rift between McClure and himself.

McClure recently told NME.COM revealed that he had recorded his second album acoustically, he had been giving CDRs of the tracks free to fans, and that he planned to release it on the internet free in the future.

However speaking in the new issue of NME, out tomorrow (December 5), Mark Jones explains that he is upset by McClure’s plans to sidestep the label.

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He said: “There’s a validity in that [releasing the songs acoustically, free, before doing a full album], but maybe he should have discussed it first, have a plan!

“I’ve come so far with this [working with McClure] that I feel like it’s been taken away from me. I’m passionate about his music.

“An artist like Jon McClure needs the right platform to deliver what he needs to do to the public and I think we ddi that really well. He’s got to be one of the most important artists in the country, but I feel hugely let down. I had no idea he wanted to do this.”

He added that in the lights of free releases like Prince and Radiohead there needed to be a debate about how music is paid for and who invests in new bands.

“If all music is free, who will invest in finding new music?” he asked. “It leaves a label like mine in no man’s land. It’s my house on the line again. I want to talk to the fans and find out how they genuinely feel.”

So, how do you feel about the free music phenomenon?

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We’d like to hear your thoughts – should bands be able to give away their music, or do you agree we need record labels to find new talent? Perhaps you have a different view on the issue.

Send your opinions, full name and photo to news@nme.com with free music as the subject and not only will we print the best, you could be invited to take part in an upcoming NME debate which will bring together artists, labels, fans and more.

Meanwhile for more on the issues head to

head to the NME Offie Blog now.

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