Duran Duran Itching To Hit The Studio

While continuing to support the 2004 comeback Epic album "Astronaut," veteran British rock act Duran Duran is planning to begin work this summer on its follow-up studio set.

Keyboardist Nick Rhodes tells Billboard.com that preparation on the forthcoming album will start with a string of songwriting sessions this August through to mid-December, before the band hits the studio in January. Tentative plans are for an early summer 2006 release.

While the project is at an embryonic stage, band members are already fleshing out producers with whom to collaborate. "I enjoyed working with Dallas Austin on a few tracks [for 'Astronaut']," Rhodes says. "He was super high-energy and good to have around. I'd like to work with a groove-master."

"Nice" is currently being serviced to radio as the potential third "Astronaut" single. "To me that's a really traditional Duran Duran track," says Rhodes. "It could almost have been on any of our albums. It's very identifiable as us -- uplifting, simple, beautiful melody, cool groove. And it just felt like a good summer song." A release date for the single has yet to be penciled in.

Duran Duran is in the midst of an extensive world tour that plays Vienna tonight (June 7). On July 2, the band will participate in the Rome edition of Bob Geldof's Live 8 concerts, intended to influence world leaders into prioritizing African debt relief as a key political issue. Twenty years ago, the group performed at Geldof's historic Live Aid event.

"The band's in great shape -- we've played a lot of shows," notes Rhodes. "We did 45 shows across America in the first three months of the year. We're ready."

Aside from duties with the band, Rhodes is deeply engaged in an interactive Internet TV channel dubbed "Monkey Me." More than two years in the making, Rhodes is looking to secure additional funding for the initiative. "If we can make it happen I think it will be extraordinary," he adds. "It's the next leap for artists."

Dang, I'm still upset that I missed seeing them last year on their U.S. tour, I heard it was a really good show.

OK, so when are the Thompson Twins going to do a comeback? (P.S. j/k)

Coooool... But don't they have tracks left over from the Astronaut sessions? Lonely Business... Salt in the Rainbow...

VinaBlue said:

I don't think (and hope) that they are gonna use these.... I love beaiutiful colors, salt in the rainbow, Lonely business...but it would be tyoo easy to put them on a nw album.. I think do do realise these songs circulate in the world!

I hope they stick to this schedule as far as the writing and recording goes.

I would love their new album out as soon as Summer 2006.

I would love to hear "The Pretty Ones" on the next release, or at least a longer version of it. Summer 2006 is pretty ambitious since the last one took five years. I'm not saying that they can't do it, but to not include the songs that weren't on Astronaut amd start completely fresh would be a feat. As long as they don't feel the pressure to the point that it is rushed and end up like another '7 and The Ragged Tiger'...incomplete.

funkyslsistah said:

Did it take 5 years to write or 5 years to get a record deal?

Yesssss

VinaBlue said:

Bingo!

VinaBlue said:

Sorry, I didn't realize I typed that. I had to look at that for a long minute. It took them about 3 years to write and record.