Damon Albarn to make first solo album for 2012

Damon's going to make a solo album! Exciting news everyone! 

DAMON Albarn's done a lot in his 20-year career in music but he's still missing one thing from his lengthy CV – a proper solo recording (The Sun)

Now the Blur and Gorillaz man has pledged to follow fellow Britpop hero Noel Gallagher and spend most of next year recording an album of his own.

But Damon has three albums to get out first.

One is a project by Africa Express – a collective of Western and African musicians – recorded in the Congo.

Another is a collaboration with Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and drumming legend Tony Allen.

The third is a recording of his Elizabethan opera.

After that he'll get to work on his first solo disc so it's ready for release some time in 2012.

A source said: "Damon's finally ready to make a solo album after years of hiding behind cartoon band Gorillaz and working with collectives of musicians.

"He's looking forward to it and his label bosses at EMI are pleased as it's sure to sell by the bucketload."

Although it's bad news for fans holding out on a full Blur reunion – a Damon solo disc is still an exciting prospect.

Graham Coxon at Truck Festival 2011

A little about the festival...


Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family (including the brothers Robin and Joe of the band Goldrush), who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. It is held in July at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon. The festival also gave birth to the Truck Records label in 1999.


Truck has grown somewhat since its inception, but with an annual attendance of around 5,000 it is dwarfed by the likes of Glastonbury (around 150,000 people) and Reading/Leeds. 

The festival prides itself on its family atmosphere, with all of the site services being provided by local groups: the food stall is run by the local Rotary Club, and ice cream is sold by the local vicar. All profits from the festival go to charity.

A compilation album is released each year on Truck Records to coincide with the festival, featuring tracks (mainly studio recordings) from various bands playing at the festival.

This means Graham Coxon will be featured in yet another album in 2011, besides his own solo one, which will probably be out some time this year. I can't wait to see clips of him in Truck Festival! 

Any opinions/ thoughts?