Following the news last week that Travis would release their new material on Red Telephone Box, the band's own indie label which they used to release their very first EP back in the nineties, it was announced yesterday they had entered into a deal with Integral, the previously reported division of independent distributor [PIAS] UK which provides marketing and infrastructure support to indies who might otherwise look to do a partnership deal with a major.
Confirming the Integral relationship, Travis manager Ian McAndrew of Wildlife Entertainment told CMU: "I met with Pete Thompson and Ian Dutt at Integral earlier this year to play them the new Travis album. After hearing the record they were both very enthusiastic and keen to get involved. We agreed the outline of a label deal which involves Integral providing a range of label services and includes both physical and digital distribution for the UK and Ireland. We mapped out a tentative release plan, formulated a budget, hired our promotion dream team and are releasing our first limited edition 10" EP on Monday, June 30th. This arrangement allows Travis to retain full creative control of their music and affords us the full support of the Integral team to assist in the running of the label".
PIAS [UK] chief Peter Thompson adds: "Travis have made consistently brilliant albums for years and 'Ode To J Smith' is no exception. When Ian played us the new record we jumped at the chance to get involved and the agreement we have worked out with them adheres to the Integral model which gives as much creative control to the artist as possible. The band and their management have a clear vision for what how they want to do things and we have put in place an infrastructure that will allow them to achieve their goals".
As previously reported, and mentioned by McAndrew there, the band's first self-released material will be an EP, out next week.