May 6th 2000
News of Doves record deal with EMI:
EMI Music Publishing A&R manager Simon Harris signed hotly-tipped guitar band Doves on Thursday, following weeks of speculation and intense competition.
Up until their single The Cedar Room went Top 30 on its first proper release through Heavenly/EMI in March –the first release under the label’s new deal with the major –the act were best known for their Sub Sub dance incarnation and their 1993 hit Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use).
The band now comprise of Jim Goodwin and brothers Jez and Andy Williams, and their shows have proved to be some of the most enthralling of the year so far.
Their debut album Lost Souls went Top 20 on release last month, beating new material by Elastica and Lou Reed in the same week.
Their first EP as Doves was released in late 1998 on their own Casino label but their rise to prominence was stalled last year on the premature death of their manager Rob Gretton.
Harris –who has signed Finley Quaye, Merz and Ultra –says, “Lost Souls is without doubt the allbum of the year so far, so it’s great to have finally done a deal with the band. We are looking forward to working close with [manager] Dave Rofe, and Jeff Barrett and Martin Kelly from Heavenly.”