Tireless UK pop legend Damon Albarn has had a busy calendar as of late, thanks to the release of Gorillaz's Plastic Beach, as well as the album's subsequent tour and iTunes Session EP. While most people would be vying for a little rest and relaxation after such a busy year, Albarn has his sights set on four new potential albums.
Speaking with New Zealand publication Stuff [via Spin], Albarn revealed some big plans, starting with a new Gorillaz record that he's been working on from the road.
"I've actually taken a mobile studio with me on this tour, because it's the longest I've been out on the road since, as I say, the days of Blur at its peak, so I have that luxury now of recording as I go," Albarn explained.
As for the content of the next Gorillaz album, "It's basically a tour-diary as a record, I guess it's my love letter to America," he said. "I used to be very baffled by this place, and I guess I still am in some ways; America confused me enormously. But right now with all that's going on this is a good place to be and this has been a great tour, the shows have been very special. The audiences are the closest to mid-'90s Blur audiences; I mean it's really been wonderful."
While working on this new Gorillaz record, Albarn has also found time to collaborate with Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen and Red Hot Chili Peppers' shirtless bassist Flea in a new, as-yet-untitled group.
"[It's] another band with Tony Allen, centred upon what he does. But this time it's him and me and Flea from the Chili Peppers, and some of my favourite African musicians will be involved also. Flea, of course, is an anagram for Fela, and Flea is so into this music so that's been great."
Albarn described that project as being "three-quarters of the way through," but he suggested the new Gorillaz material will surface first. He continued by suggesting that he does plan to dole out another album with the Good, the Bad and the Queen, as well as his first-ever solo album.
"I've promised myself that one day there'll be a proper ballad record, I don't know, Damon Albarn Sings Ballads or something," he joked.
Speaking with New Zealand publication Stuff [via Spin], Albarn revealed some big plans, starting with a new Gorillaz record that he's been working on from the road.
"I've actually taken a mobile studio with me on this tour, because it's the longest I've been out on the road since, as I say, the days of Blur at its peak, so I have that luxury now of recording as I go," Albarn explained.
As for the content of the next Gorillaz album, "It's basically a tour-diary as a record, I guess it's my love letter to America," he said. "I used to be very baffled by this place, and I guess I still am in some ways; America confused me enormously. But right now with all that's going on this is a good place to be and this has been a great tour, the shows have been very special. The audiences are the closest to mid-'90s Blur audiences; I mean it's really been wonderful."
While working on this new Gorillaz record, Albarn has also found time to collaborate with Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen and Red Hot Chili Peppers' shirtless bassist Flea in a new, as-yet-untitled group.
"[It's] another band with Tony Allen, centred upon what he does. But this time it's him and me and Flea from the Chili Peppers, and some of my favourite African musicians will be involved also. Flea, of course, is an anagram for Fela, and Flea is so into this music so that's been great."
Albarn described that project as being "three-quarters of the way through," but he suggested the new Gorillaz material will surface first. He continued by suggesting that he does plan to dole out another album with the Good, the Bad and the Queen, as well as his first-ever solo album.
"I've promised myself that one day there'll be a proper ballad record, I don't know, Damon Albarn Sings Ballads or something," he joked.
