Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett who formed the biggest virtual band in the last decade in 1998 have been hinting at new music throughout 2015. Now, Jamie Hewlett has confirmed that the pair are actually in the process of working and actively recording a new Gorillaz album, which is scheduled to a 2016 release.
Jamie Hewlett, who is behind the group’s iconic animations, was recently quoted as saying he had been “shutting himself away” to work on Gorillaz’s fifth album.
“I’m working on it at the moment, and it’s going very well,” he said. “I’m very excited. I don’t want to say too much about it, but I’m at that phase of experimentation. What I try not to do when I’m working in this creative period, the cooking of the mess, is go to other peoples’ exhibitions and look at other peoples’ work".
"I close my eyes, and don’t want to know what anyone else is doing. Doing that has kind of ruined the creative process for me in the past, and I don’t want to let that happen again" he also added.
“That’s next year," he told DIY Mag of the Gorillaz project in a new interview to promote his first art exhibition in London. "I’m working on it at the moment, and it’s going very well. I’m very excited." It's been four years since the group's last release, 2011's The Fall.
So what about the new Gorillaz artwork? Will it be an entirely different style from the old Gorillaz, or will it be similar to the last album's style?
"I don’t want to say too much about it, but I’m at that phase of experimentation," Hewlett said. He also added that he has been posting teasers of the new fictional "members" of Gorillaz on Instagram throughout the year.
Whatever the style of the new Gorillaz, this is absolutely fantastic news for Gorillaz fans, who will be able to look forward to a new world tour and album from one of the most recognised and popular virtual bands of our time.
Damon Albarn has spoken out finally about The Guardian interview a while ago, when he deemed the 'end of Blur' and possibly Gorillaz, his successful virtual band. The good news? He dismissed the rumours surrounding the comments he made in the article, which definitely helped clear up many of the things he said previously.
In the latest issue of ShortList, Damon seemed quite unhappy about how some of the comments he made got distorted - and even got to correct some of it.
When asked whether Blur will make a new record in the future, he stated that there are no concerete plans as of right now, but that the band will see how it is after their massive Olympics Hyde Park 2012 gigs- "It would be interesting to see where it would arrive, because it would be very different, I'd imagine."
He also said that "there could be another Gorillaz album", as he was willing to make the music as long as Jamie Hewlett wanted to collaborate and do the illustration.
It seems that the article implied Damon is not saying Blur's over, The Guardian article exaggerated his comments and that the four boys are on good terms. It also seems that the Hyde Park gig this summer will be the make-or-break gig which may just determine the band's future prospect.
Albarn also said he was willing to collaborate with Noel Gallagher "if he [came] on the African Express train this September". The African Express Train will be Damon Albarn's new musical tour, set inside a train, travelling around Britain (click here to read more).
Scroll down for the scans for Damon's ShortList interview below (credits to JackS for the scans).
It's brilliant news that Damon Albarn, the frontman, finally clears up the rumours and mixed messages so prevalent in recent media about Blur. Now, it all boils down to Hyde Park and whether the gig for the London Closing Ceremony will be a success, or a disaster.
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
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BLUR NEWS:It's official -Blur
is not over!Furthermore,
Gorillaz will record another record in the future, even though the date is not
announced yet; Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn has repaired their relationship and amended differences and all seems bright and well.
The
Metrofeatured a plain,
no-nonsense interview with Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and Gorillaz (amongst
other projects) and it seems very positive. The interview is printed with
little authorial intervention, and is in a question/answer format.
Albarn spoke out about Blur and Gorillaz's future, stating (quote
fromMetro)
:
Are Blur and Gorillaz both
finished?
No. That comes from an article which was
an interesting take on a very long conversation. I don’t know how we’ll feel
when we play Hyde Park. Some days I feel one way and other days I feel the
other. If you don’t see something as a career but as an important part of your
life, you don’t know how you’re going to feel about it. We want to put on a
great performance but nothing’s been said between us about the beginning or the
end.
What about Gorillaz?
When Jamie [Hewlett] and I have
worked out our differences, I’m sure we’ll make another record.
Will that be difficult?
I don’t think so. We’ve been through too
much together for it to be that big of a mountain to climb. We’ve just fallen
out like mates do sometimes. I’m not the only person to fall out with mates and
then make up again – everyone does it.
Are you looking forward to the
Hyde Park gig in August?
Very much so. I love playing with Blur –
it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. At the same time, though, I don’t
want to cock it all up by staying around too long and making a fool of myself.
At 44, there’s a little trepidation about jumping around on stage but I love
it.
Were you happy with your
performance at the Brits?
Yes. I went there to thank our manager,
Chris Morrison, and to have a laugh. I enjoyed myself. We take ourselves a lot
less seriously now in the context of things like awards.
What’s the worst gig you’ve done?
There have been a few but when things
did go wrong we immediately rectified them for the next night. One stage inSpainwasblownawayinastormbutweweren’tonit,thankfully.
What are you proudest of
achieving?
Pride isn’t something I indulge in. I think everything could have been better. I could
definitely improve on my interview technique.
Have you visited Alex James’s
cheese farm?
Yes I have. I’ve tasted his cheese. It’s
very good. What can I say? I’m not a
cheese expert but it tasted like cheese
to me.
What are people’s
misconceptions of you?
That everything that comes out of my
mouth is serious.
What’s been your most extravagant
purchase?
I’ve bought a lot of bicycles over the
years but mainly because they keep getting nicked. I don’t go too high-end,
just keep it basic. I usually buy them from a shop on Golborne Road [west
London] and they’ve seen a few of my bikes cycling down the road with someone
else on them. Every time they see it happen, they say: ‘Damon will be in again
to buy another one.’
His new interview with the Metro is quite a positive for Blur and
Gorillaz fans. It offers a bit more hope amidst the recent rumours that
Blur are splitting up again. These rumours were fuelled by myriad of comments
from Damon, Graham, Dave and Alex about the uncertain future of Blur and the
group’s “last’ gigs.
The Band, all together, with a fan
Plus, Gorillaz is not over...yet. Is Damon saying that there will
be a new Gorillaz album? Then he and Jamie Hewlett’s arguments are over? Or
will Damon continue to change his mind, in each separate interview he does? It
seems all positive here, yet again.
The thing is, Damon seems insecure in recent
interviews. He has to stop thinking Blur's all about jumping around and making
a racket on stage - it's about the music. Sure, stage antics are fun to watch,
and jumping around does show energy. But Damon, it's ok if you just sing, and
play "music for the ears".
Maybe it all depends on Damon’s mood – feeling low?
No more Blur. Feeling alright? Blur and Gorillaz are back. Or perhaps the “Blur’s
future” response “hat” that Graham talked about recently exists. Pick and
choose your answer.
Feeling moody, Damon ?
However, this interview definitely sparked new hope
in fans, who thought that the band’s over for good after Hyde Park 2012. It’s a
much more hopeful piece of evidence that Blur’s still going strong.
It just goes to show that, with Damon,
anything really, really could happen.
Download and listen to the full Damon Albarn / Stuart Maconie
interview byCLICKING HERE(credits to Gorillaz Unofficial).
Damon talks about Blur and Dr Dee.
Click HERE to read the full Metro interview, where Damon speaks more on Dr. Dee
Leave a comment below and vote in our poll - what do you think of Blur's return - is it truly "to the end", or will they remain musically "young and lovely" ?
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
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