REECE Mastin confirmed he has split with his label Sony just days after revealing he and partner Rhiannon Fish had ended their three-year relationship.
Mastin and the label had struggled over creative differences last year with the 20-year-old singer and songwriter insistent on following his rock dreams.
The cheeky singer who won The X Factor in 2011 has become close friends with Jimmy Barnes and his family and has made no secret of his desire to emulate the Australian legend’s rock career.
SWEET SORROW: Reece Mastin and Rhiannon Fish end three-year relationship
Mastin’s legion of fans, the Lil Rockers, and were the first to congratulate him when he announced yesterday he had signed with independent Social Family Records.
They also have Amber Lawrence, Christine Anu, Baby Animals and David Campbell on their roster.
Mastin hinted at the “growing up” he has had to do since winning the television talent quest and enjoying huge success with the debut post-show single Good Night, which sold more than 350,000 copies.
His next three singles Shut Up and Kiss Me, Shout It Out and Rock Star all achieved platinum sales.
But his next two releases failed to crack the top 50 and tensions between the musician and the label about the future direction of his career reached boiling point.
“These last couple of years have been a real roller coaster for me, a really amazing experience and I have learned a lot,” Mastin told fans.
“I’ve had a lot of growing to do as an artist; I have been really working hard at trying to find my sound, and with the amazing support from my fans, friends and family, I feel like I’m ready and in a great place.
“I know it’s been a while, but I am so excited to get some new music out there and I can’t thank everyone enough for being so patient.”
Regardless of his diminishing chart fortunes, Mastin retains a considerable fanbase on social media with almost 300,000 Twitter followers.
Mastin will follow an EP release within the next few months with his third album later in the year.
Other Idol, X Factor or The Voice contestants who have split with their post-show label to pursue an independent career have struggled to repeat the chart-topping success generated by their television-fuelled popularity.
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