The Waterboys have signed a deal with W14 Music – the new Universal Music Group imprint headed by MD John Williams. This follows the recent signings of Level 42 and Siouxsie Sioux to W14 Music, and sees Williams reunited with Mike Scott twenty years after they first worked together.

An extraordinary songwriter and lyricist, Mike Scott formed The Waterboys in 1982 and has been the driving force and artistic heart of the outfit throughout its various incarnations, relentlessly exploring a variety of musical styles. Scott’s songs rank as some of the most imaginative and distinctive of the past quarter century. In 1991 he was the deserved winner of an Ivor Novello (songwriting) Award for arguably his best-known song to date, ‘The Whole of the Moon’.

At the heart of The Waterboys’ constantly evolving sound is a romantic and spiritually uplifting quality which over the years has scored the dreams and aspirations of generations of music listeners. Selling in excess of five million records worldwide, Waterboys' releases include the hit singles ‘The Whole Of The Moon’ (UK No. 3), ‘And A Bang On The Ear’ (an Irish No. 1), ‘Return of Pan’ and ‘Glastonbury Song’ (both UK Top 30), and the albums ‘A Pagan Place’ (1984), ‘This Is The Sea’ (1985), ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ (1988), ‘Dream Harder’ (1993) and ‘A Rock In The Weary Land’ (2000) amongst others.

Speaking about his latest signing, John Williams said: ‘The Waterboys’ ‘Big Music’ became known to me first hand when I was privileged to produce their epic BBC Radio One live session in ’85. I was witness to music of breathtaking originality and a passionate performance from a band whose musical and spiritual quest shines just as bright today. Mike Scott’s song writing is transcendent; I am delighted that he has chosen W14 for a new generation of The Waterboys. To me Scott is up there with the greats- lyrically on a par with Yeats and Blake, and musically on a par with any dude you care to mention!’

Mike Scott adds ‘It's great to be back on a major label, and doubly great to be with John Williams, a true music man, and the guy who produced a few of the Waterboys' best-ever recordings. Our paths have linked a few times over the years, always successfully and creatively, and so W14 feels like home to me already.’

The Waterboys new studio album is currently in the final stages of production and is scheduled for release in Spring 2007, 25 years since Scott first formed the Waterboys. It promises to be his finest work to date, blending the very best elements of his writing and performance. The Waterboys’ current line-up features Steve Wickham on fiddle, whose first involvement in the band dates back to 1985 and the albums ‘This Is The Sea’ and ‘Fisherman’s Blues’. Mike is also joined on the record by keyboardist Richard Naiff, drummers Brady Blade and Jeremy Stacey, bassman Mark Smith, hot young guitar stylist Leo Abrahams and long-time Waterboys alumni Roddy Lorimer (trumpet) and Chris Bruce (guitar).

To support the launch of the album The Waterboys will be embarking on a European tour starting in Holland on March 7th, then moving onto Ireland and Scandinavia before coming to the UK for a full length tour of major venues, including The Royal Albert Hall on 11th May 2007.