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The band will release 'Retreat' on Moshi Moshi records on 18th April, and there will be another single at the end of July - their first on V2. Their as yet untitled LP which is has been recorded with producer Paul Epworth and is currently being mixed, will follow in August.
Head of A&R at V2, Malcolm Dunbar, said: "V2 signed the rakes because i think they are a highly individual band both musically and visually with great songs and lyrics, live they are in my opinion the most challenging of new bands and have already released two of my favoutite singles"
Speaking of the deal, Rakes manager Phil Morais said: "there are not many other bands out there that have had to work this hard to prove their credentials. V2 were one of the labels with the foresight to realise the massive potential The Rakes have of becoming a big band for 2005 onwards."
We even tracked down Moshi Moshi (current home for The Rakes) founder Stephen Bass, who said: "The Rakes are a band that we have been wanting to do something with for a while now. unfortunately we weren't in a position to do the 'Strasbourg' single due to the moshi moshi biscuit tin being empty but we managed to get ourselves together to release their latest track 'Retreat'. Again produced by Paul Epworth we think this is one of the best moshi releases to date. Matching the excitement and tension of last year's 'Banquet' by that other great great band Bloc Party, this record shows the true potential of The Rakes, a growing act that I think many people are only just waking up to and realising how important and brilliant they are".
The band are set to support Bloc Party in France and Japan in May, as well as the band's Astoria gigs in April.
Photo by Sonia Melot
