Indie rock super hero Ted Leo has just inked a deal with Touch & Go records, joining the likes of TV On The Radio, !!!, and CocoRosie. The news has been posted on the label’s website and while it doesn’t contain any information about a new album, it includes the following comments from the man himself:

“As sad as I am that circumstances have forced a move from Lookout! Records, I’m insanely happy and thankful to be able to make that move over to Touch & Go. T&G is a label that has provided me, personally, with amazing music for 25 years; over those years, I have become friends with many of their artists and staff, and it’s an honor to now be a real part of their ongoing ruling-ness. In many ways, this decision was an incredibly hard one to make, since I also have great respect for and friendship with a number of other labels who we have been talking to, and what I’m about to say could also apply to them, but in a very big way, T&G’s history is my history, like Lookout!’s history is my history, like Gern Blandsten’s history is my history — American Punk Rock, True Believers, the Real Deal. In a world that seems hell-bent on driving itself further and faster down the shitter every day, these things remain not just important, but the absolute core of our endeavors. Believe me when I tell you that it is in this overly dramatic (granted), but absolutely true (none-the-less) spirit that I thank my lucky stars for all those that I have worked with in the past, and the ability to join Touch & Go to take it higher in the future.”

Awwww… (hugs)

Ted Leo will be touring in the month of March with the Duke Spirit and Les Aus. Details below:

03.02.06 – Brooklyn, NY (The Hook)
03.03.06 – Providence, RI (The Living Room)
03.04.06 – Boston, MA (Paradise)
03.05.06 – New Haven, CT (Toads Place)
03.06.06 – Rochester, NY (Bug Jar)
03.07.06 – Cleveland, OH (Grog Shop)
03.08.06 – Ann Arbor, MI (Blind Pig)
03.10.06 – Chicago, IL (Abbey Pub)
03.11.06 – Newport, KY (Southgate House)
03.12.06 – Nashville, TN (Exit/In)
03.13.06 – Little Rock, AR (Vino’s)
03.14.06 – Dallas, TX (Gypsy Tea Room)
03.15.06 – San Antonio, TX – Sanctuary
03.19.06 – Houston, TX – Walter’s
03.20.06 – Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Cafe
03.22.06 – Athens, GA (40 Watt Club)
03.23.06 – Charlotte, NC (Casbah at Tremont Music Hall)
03.24.06 – Washington, DC (Black Cat)
03.26.06 – New York, NY (Knitting Factory)