Harvest have “ended their relationship” with Moz.
Just three weeks after the release of his latest album World Peace Is None Of Your Business, which reached number two in the UK album charts, Morrissey appears to have been dropped by his label.
A post on his semi-official fansite True To You states: “Capitol Records/Harvest have ended their relationship with Morrissey, as directed by label boss Steve Barnett. “Morrissey is once again in search of a record label.”
Last week he criticised Harvest in another post on the site, complaining that the new album hadn’t been promoted properly: “I have not received any television invitations – worldwide! – to either discuss World peace is none of your business, or even to sing any songs from the album.”
He also praised three fan-made videos for songs from the new album while having another dig at Harvest: “Yes, a similar document ought to have been harvested by the record label, but please understand that the pop or rock industry can be as dedicated to perpetuating public deception as the world of politics itself. God bless social media!”
That new album is pretty decent, though. Meanwhile, Morrissey has been fending off accusations that he asked his former bodyguard to “get rid of” an over-eager fan.
Update: While Morrissey is certainly not happy with Capitol Records/Harvest at the moment, the singer may not have actually been dropped. A source “close to the situation” told Billboard that not only has Moz not been dropped, but he signed a two album deal, so he still owes the label another album.
Update 18/08: The pantomime continues, as Morrissey has issued a counter-statement maintaining that he has indeed ended his relationship with Capitol/Harvest. Responding to Billboard’s report, an update on True To You claims that “both Morrissey and Morrissey’s lawyer are in possession of email correspondence from Steve Barnett (head of Capitol-Harvest Records), and also from Steve Barnett’s personal assistant, both of whom confirm that Capitol-Harvest have ended their relationship with Morrissey.
“No recording Agreement with Capitol-Harvest was ever signed by Morrissey, and Morrissey retains full ownership of World Peace is None Of Your Business. Contrary to the assured Billboard report, Capitol-Harvest have very clearly stated that they would have no interest in licensing a second album by Morrissey.”
