Alan McGee is staging a music business comeback by establishing a new label, 359 Music.
The legendary indie mogul, responsible for signing Oasis, Primal Scream and My Bloody Valentine to his Creation label before then setting up Poptones, has declared his intention to get back in the game with the new venture.
In a statement, McGee said: "My vision for 359 Music is a launchpad for new talent and some ignored older talent. We intend to release on average a dozen new bands per year every year – maybe more if I find a lot of new talent I like. Hopefully some of the artists will stick around and make numerous albums with 359, but some will go on to other things and that is just the nature of the musical beast."
No artists have yet been announced for the label, but McGee put out an open appeal for talent, adding: "If you're an artist and want to be considered for 359 Music, send an MP3 to infoat359music@aol.com and I will personally listen."
But despite the grand announcement, the mogul is insisting there is no hubris behind his new venture. "There is no agenda of 'let's be the biggest, like Creation Records'. If in five years' time people who I respect and who love music turn round to me and say 359 Music has put out some great music, then that to me will be a success."
McGee has been hinting at a new label for some time, after his passion was reawakened by working with the promoters of the Tokyo Rocks festival. Last September he said: "Since spending summer helping curate Tokyo Rocks, it's made me realise I do still love it. It was when I was flying back from Japan with the Primals that started me loving it again. To be honest I am seriously thinking about restarting Creation, or maybe Re-Creation if I can find the right people at a label to work with. Music needs a kick in the balls, and I have got the music buzz back."
McGee's last label venture, Poptones, was wound down in 2007 owing to financial difficulties.
