A & R: news file.

PEPE DELUXE SCOOP LEVI'S DEAL

Pepe Deluxe's track Before You Leave has been selected as the music for the latest Levi's advertising campaign, which launched last week. The trio are signed to Catskills Records, who released their critically-acclaimed album Supersound in 1999. The album is due for a re-release in light of the campaign, following the release of Before You Leave as a single in April. The ad was directed by Frank Budgen, who was also responsible for the Guinness `Snails' campaign.

MOBO WINNER SIGNS TO EAST WEST

East West last week signed 18-year-old West London singer Cherise, who is currently writing and recording with her production team Big Brothers. Cherise was signed by George Tyekiss, who first became aware of her last February through her track Second Best, although she later went on to wider recognition when she won last year's Mobo Unsigned Award. East West provisionally plans to release a single and album in August, building on her profile aided by recent specialist radio play on Choice FM and Radio One and a number of club PAs.

HELL IS FOR HEROES IN A&R FLURRY

London alternative rockers Hell Is For Heroes, formerly known as Fiama, are currently considering a number of label offers, understood to include Mercury. The act have also been demoing material for EMI Music Publishing. Likened to US acts such as At The Drive-In, Deftones and ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, the five-piece are expected to confirm a number of gigs this week.

NEW WEBSITE AIMS TO AID NETWORKING