Perth songbird Katy Steele will join The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft on his tour of Australia.
The Little Birdy leading lady will provide some supporting star power for the tour that arrives in Perth on August 4.
Ashcroft has been getting rave reviews around the world during his Richard Ashcroft and The United Nations of Sound tour.
"The key to Ashcroft is his almost mystical belief in the power of music to raise the spirit and salve the soul…Such was the intensity of his performances that Ashcroft deployed their simple tunes and chord structures to lift the audience into the realms of communal rapture," wrote The Times in London.
Steele will perform alone with her guitar and keys, bringing her unique sound to Metro City.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Richard Ashcroft Rules Out Gallagher Collaboration Too
Ashcroft belives Oasis’ split will give both of his old mates Liam and Noel Gallagher a new lease of life, with them going on to enjoy the same success he’s experienced as a solo artist.
“I spoke to Noel a couple of days ago,” he said.
“He’s going to go through similar questions to the ones I went through in 2000.
“But he wrote the songs in the biggest band of the Nineties, so he’s got nothing to worry about. It’ll be a new lease of life for both of them. I’m quite excited about it.”
But despite admitting Oasis were most dominant in the 1990s, rather The Verve , Ashcroft is not keen on collaborating with either Gallagher.
“Now you see someone’s album coming out and there are 15 different people on it. The younger generation, like the Dizzees, are getting into ‘Top Trumps’ music - “I’m going to Top Trump you with how many guests I’ve got.”
“I spoke to Noel a couple of days ago,” he said.
“He’s going to go through similar questions to the ones I went through in 2000.
“But he wrote the songs in the biggest band of the Nineties, so he’s got nothing to worry about. It’ll be a new lease of life for both of them. I’m quite excited about it.”
But despite admitting Oasis were most dominant in the 1990s, rather The Verve , Ashcroft is not keen on collaborating with either Gallagher.
“Now you see someone’s album coming out and there are 15 different people on it. The younger generation, like the Dizzees, are getting into ‘Top Trumps’ music - “I’m going to Top Trump you with how many guests I’ve got.”
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Ashcroft Rules Out Verve Reunion
British rocker Richard Ashcroft has confirmed his former band The Verve is over for good - because they could never top their previous achievements.
The Bitter Sweet Symphony hitmakers split in 1999 but they reunited for a tour in 2007 and a new album the following year.
But frontman Ashcroft has dashed fans' hopes of another comeback, insisting the band has nothing left to prove.
He tells Britain's ShortList magazine, "I can't see any reason why, after headlining Glastonbury, headlining Coachella, headlining in Japan and making an album that's better than 99 per cent of other bands' albums, The Verve would get back together."
The Bitter Sweet Symphony hitmakers split in 1999 but they reunited for a tour in 2007 and a new album the following year.
But frontman Ashcroft has dashed fans' hopes of another comeback, insisting the band has nothing left to prove.
He tells Britain's ShortList magazine, "I can't see any reason why, after headlining Glastonbury, headlining Coachella, headlining in Japan and making an album that's better than 99 per cent of other bands' albums, The Verve would get back together."
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Ashcroft - "British Music's Lost Its Verve"
Richard Ashcroft believes Britain’s music scene has become stale and dull as people chase fame.
The ex-Verve man, whose new group United Nations Of Sound release their debut this month, said: “There’s a blueprint now and it’s very boring.”
And you won’t find him collaborating with anyone either. Rich, 38, told this week’s ShortList mag: “You see albums coming out now and there are 15 different people on it.
“It’s Top Trumps music – ‘I’m going to Top Trump you with how many guests I’ve got.’”
The ex-Verve man, whose new group United Nations Of Sound release their debut this month, said: “There’s a blueprint now and it’s very boring.”
And you won’t find him collaborating with anyone either. Rich, 38, told this week’s ShortList mag: “You see albums coming out now and there are 15 different people on it.
“It’s Top Trumps music – ‘I’m going to Top Trump you with how many guests I’ve got.’”
Friday, 2 July 2010
Ashcroft Caught Pneumonia While Recording
Richard Ashcroft was struck down with pneumonia while recording his new band's first album.
The star created the United Nations of Sound earlier this year but he had to rush studio sessions with the group, because he only had 10 days to work with producer No I.D.
Ashcroft told The Sun's SFTW he didn't sleep for five days during the period and when he eventually consulted a doctor, he was diagnosed with 'walking pneumonia' - a mild strain of the deadly lung condition.
He says, "The first week in the studio was one of the best recording times I've had, even though I put myself through a lot. At one point, I'd not slept in five days. The doctor was called out who said I had 'walking pneumonia'. I asked 'What the hell does that mean?' and he said 'It means you're not dead yet'."
United Nations of Sound's self-titled debut album is due for release on 19 July.
The star created the United Nations of Sound earlier this year but he had to rush studio sessions with the group, because he only had 10 days to work with producer No I.D.
Ashcroft told The Sun's SFTW he didn't sleep for five days during the period and when he eventually consulted a doctor, he was diagnosed with 'walking pneumonia' - a mild strain of the deadly lung condition.
He says, "The first week in the studio was one of the best recording times I've had, even though I put myself through a lot. At one point, I'd not slept in five days. The doctor was called out who said I had 'walking pneumonia'. I asked 'What the hell does that mean?' and he said 'It means you're not dead yet'."
United Nations of Sound's self-titled debut album is due for release on 19 July.
Ashcroft Admires Fry For Tackling Mental Illnes
Richard Ashcroft is full of admiration for actor Stephen Fry because he has spoken so openly about his battle with mental illness over the last few years.
Fry suffered a nervous breakdown in 1995 and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has been candid about his problems and even documented his battle in 2006 documentary Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive.
Former The Verve frontman Ashcroft has long suffered from depression and although he is convinced he will never be able to shake it off, he has praised Fry for bringing the subject of mental health out into the open.
He says, "I really admire Stephen Fry and love what he's done over the past few years in bringing mental illness into the open and tackling the stigma surrounding it..."
And Ashcroft credits his family, as well as moving to the countryside, with helping him battle his own demons.
He adds, "It (depression) will be with me for a lifetime. It's not something a magic wand can make disappear. But I've been lucky with music, my wife and my family. I've got really good support...
"I don't take medication now but I have in the past - but I'm better with natural endorphins. I used to joke with friends how the house I bought in the countryside saved me. But it did. Basic things like nature, the stream and a good walk helped me find my peace."
Fry suffered a nervous breakdown in 1995 and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has been candid about his problems and even documented his battle in 2006 documentary Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive.
Former The Verve frontman Ashcroft has long suffered from depression and although he is convinced he will never be able to shake it off, he has praised Fry for bringing the subject of mental health out into the open.
He says, "I really admire Stephen Fry and love what he's done over the past few years in bringing mental illness into the open and tackling the stigma surrounding it..."
And Ashcroft credits his family, as well as moving to the countryside, with helping him battle his own demons.
He adds, "It (depression) will be with me for a lifetime. It's not something a magic wand can make disappear. But I've been lucky with music, my wife and my family. I've got really good support...
"I don't take medication now but I have in the past - but I'm better with natural endorphins. I used to joke with friends how the house I bought in the countryside saved me. But it did. Basic things like nature, the stream and a good walk helped me find my peace."
Black Ships Update
Straight from the band: "New songs, constant work, Mr. McCabe in Top form as never seen or heard before... pity I cannot share anything yet... I'm dying for everyone to listen to what we are doing, but I can't play anything yet, cause otherwise it will spoil the surprise!"
New material coming "very soon." Stay tuned.
New material coming "very soon." Stay tuned.
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