Creation Records founder Alan McGee has teamed up with former Columbia A&R Director Mick Clark for a new label project – and sources suggest they’re close to inking a major label deal.
McGee came out of music industry retirement in 2013 to launch his 359 Music label in tandem with British independent Cherry Red.
Through this venture, 359 has released a handful of records from artists such as Chris Grant, John McCullagh, Pete MacLeod and Alias Kid.
However, McGee has recently begun dedicating more time to Creation Management, which he revived last year, with clients including The Jesus & Mary Chain and The Happy Mondays.
He is now understood to be cooking up a new label venture with Clark, who was also formerly Virgin Records A&R and MD of Higher Ground Records.
Clark has signed artists such as Soul II Soul, Leftfield, Maxi Priest, Loose Ends and Grooverider during his career.
“I nearly died just over two years ago. I got better and now I want it all again.”
Alan McGee
The duo are said to be in advanced talks with a major record company regarding a partnership.
It is currently unclear if this would be a full joint venture deal or a distribution / services agreement with the likes of Sony‘s RED, Warner‘s ADA or Universal‘s Caroline.
When contacted by MBW about his new venture, McGee simply commented: “I nearly died just over two years ago. I got better and now I want it all again.”
After founding Creation in 1983, McGee and his team went on to sign seminal bands including Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream, The Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine.
Before coming back with 359, the Glaswegian effectively quit the record business when his Poptones label – which broke The Hives – dissolved in 2007.
McGee subsequently invested in property, where he once said he trebled his money.
Interestingly, the Creation Records name is currently dormant, owned by Sony Music Entertainment.
So far, McGee has shown no interest in bringing it back to life.Music Business Worldwide
