Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Matt McAndrew arrived at The Voice with a blank box tattooed on one wrist, just waiting for the day he could check that box, indicating he’d landed a label deal.

Well, after finishing second on Season 7, he was able to check that box, signing a deal with Republic Records.

But what one would expect to follow — a debut album — never did.

Under Republic, Matt released just one single, “Counting on Love,” last summer. And a rather odd music video with Matt as a fight club warrior.

Now he’s planning to release an EP as an independent artist. And he’s turned to Pledge Music to help finance the project.

“Under my contract with the label, I wasn’t able to release new music,” Matt says in his Pledge pitch, without elaborating. “I got out of that deal, and now I’m able to share some awesome new songs with you guys.”

Matt launched the effort earlier today and is already 14 percent of the way toward his fund-raising goal. The pledge campaign runs for two months.

As usual, Matt is offering up a host of goodies for contributors, ranging from an access pass and download of the new EP for $7 to more expensive options, including having tea with Matt at the Green Line Cafe in west Philly for $300.

You can keep up with Matt through his Facebook page and website. On Twitter, he’s simply @MattMcAndrew.