Record company releases Ira Losco from contract

Cap Sounds, the German record company which has signed up all Malta's entries for the Eurovision Song Contest since 1996, yesterday released Ira Losco from her exclusive contract after the artiste complained she was not being informed about plans for her future.

Cap Sounds managing director Manfred Holz sent an open letter to the media in Malta addressed to Ira, in response to an article that appeared in a local newspaper.

In the article Ira was quoted as saying that she had been left completely in the dark as to the plans on her future career.

Cap Sounds said: "We release you from your exclusive contract with us and you are free, from today, to sign another contract.

"At the end of the day I don't want to bind an artiste to our company if the artiste does not feel happy and well anymore and if the artiste would like to take other opportunities," the letter said.

However, the fine print continued in brackets that "of course, options of our international partners have to be fulfilled".

When contacted, Malta Song for Europe organising committee chairman Charlò Bonnici said that all sides, including Ira, had to agree on whether she should be released or not.

"The implications of severing our ties with Cap Sounds have to be viewed in detail, because apart from other issues, it could come at a high financial cost," Mr Bonnici said.

Ira herself could not be contacted for a comment. However, Mr Bonnici said that although she was aware of the letter, until yesterday afternoon she had not yet seen it.

The debate on whether the local organising committee should continue its contact with Cap Sounds has been going on for some time.

Last May, Mr Bonnici had said that the committee had had discussions with two giant record companies, Universal and BMG, in an attempt to get them to record Malta's winning song for the Eurovision next year.

Mr Bonnici had pointed out at the time that competing countries which were backed by the likes of Sony, Universal or Warner had much better support and more aggressive promotion.

This letter now means that the local committee have to start debating whether to sign a contract with Cap Sounds next year or severe its ties completely.

"However, this decision cannot be taken until we have the new set-up which will replace the committee of the Malta Song Festivals. The committee's term ended on May 31," Mr Bonnici said.

Last year's entry, Fabrizio Faniello, had been given a lot of coverage abroad and had amassed an international fan club.

However, two weeks after Ira had placed second in the Eurovision, the artiste was still not on the company's website and Cap Sounds were still promoting Fabrizio on the website.

Mr Holz said in the letter that they "did not do magic" and that Faniello's success did not happen overnight.

"To have an international career takes a good future strategy, great songs, a good production team, experienced publishers, a record company with a vision and lastly a professional and international experienced management and consulting company for the artiste - this has been our vision for Ira."