Basement Jaxx: 'We Wouldn't Be Surprised If Record Label Dropped Us' - Exclusive

Simon Ratcliffe, one half of Basement Jaxx, has told Gigwise he wouldn't be surprised if the band's record label let them go.

The dance act's forthcoming album 'Scars' is their last scheduled release as part of five-album deal with XL Recordings.

Earlier this month, Ratcliffe's bandmate Felix Buxton was quoted as saying that the label had yet to offer them a replacement deal.

But XL then issued a statement that said they “would like to clarify that Basement Jaxx have not been dropped by the label”.

In an exclusive interview with Gigwise, Ratcliffe said he had been left surprised by the attention the story received.

But revealed that the duo were still unsure about their future with the label.

“It's the end of our contract and XL have the option to renew it or to let us go,” he said. “I wouldn't be surprised if they let us go because they strive off signing new bands.”

Ratcliffe also questioned whether the dance duo, whose hits include 'Romeo', 'Where's Your Headt At?' and Red Alert', needed a record label.

“It is true, do we need XL really? Do we need them? And we don't know what we're gonna be doing – we might end up doing music soundscapes or something – we don't know,” he said.

'Scars', which features guest appearances from Santigold and Lightspeed Champion, is out on September 21.

Basement Jaxx are due to embark on a UK tour in December.