New Simon Tong Interview

Simon Tong's new band Erland and the Carnival have given a new interview over at spoonfed.co.uk

Highlights include:

"Asking whether Cooper is a better writing partner than the notoriously difficult Richard Ashcroft yields a resounding “yes”. Largely, Tong says, “because Richard never works with anyone. Never did. ”And he has no plans to up sticks (“I only left those bands because things fell apart”).

Ashcroft To Debut New Project Live

Richard Ashcroft is to make his live debut with new project United Nations Of Sound with a handful of UK gigs in June.

After playing a string of European dates the ex-Verve lead singer will play a pair of UK shows at Manchester Academy (15 June) and London's Shepherd's Bush Empire (16).

United Nations Of Sound, a collaboration between Ashcroft and Chicagoan producer No I.D who has worked with Jay-Z in the past, will also release their debut album on 7 June.

Ashcroft To Attend Brit Awards

Brit Awards organisers are reportedly struggling to persuade former winners to attend the 30th anniversary ceremony next week.

Groups including Coldplay, Dire Straits and Travis have all been nominated in the one-off 'Brits Album of 30 Years' category, but have so far allegedly snubbed the London event on February 16.

"Invitations have gone out to all concerned but it is now a tricky situation," a source told The Sun.

"Dire Straits, The Verve and Oasis have all split. Sade won't go as she likes to protect her privacy.

"Chris Martin and co have turned us down as they're recording and preparing for shows. Duffy is in the studio in the US. Organisers are exploring all avenues to resolve this."

Phil Collins and The Verve's Richard Ashcroft are reportedly among the few former winners who have agreed to attend the event.

Bookmakers have made Oasis's 1995 LP (What's The Story) Morning Glory? the favourite to win the 'Brits Album of 30 Years', which has been decided by Radio 2 listeners.

Urban Hymns Nominated For A BRIT

As the Brit Awards marks its 30th year this year, the show is awarding an Album of 30 Years prize. The Verve's Urban hymns has been nominated along with the following albums:

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head

Dido - No Angel

Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms

Duffy - Rockferry

Keane - Hopes & Fears

Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Phil Collins - No Jacket Required

Sade - Diamond Life

The Verve - Urban Hymns

Travis - The Man Who

Are You Ready? Asks Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ashcroft has unveiled the first material from his new project, the United Nations Of Sound.

The track was produced by No ID, and features Ashcroft working with a host of new musical collaborators.

The song is described as a taster for the album - recorded under the working title 'Redemption' - which will be released on March 29, although the tracklisting is yet to be confirmed.

Ashcroft Reveals New Album Working Title

Richard Ashcroft has revealed exclusively to NME.COM that the working title of his forthcoming new album is 'Redemption'.

The singer/guitarist is returning this year with a new band, which he has named United Nations of Sound. The album is expected to be released in late March.

Ashcroft has teamed up with producer No ID for the album, who produced Jay-Z's 2009 singles 'Run This Town' and 'DOA (Death Of Auto-Tune)'. It is being mixed by long-time collaborator Chris Potter.

Ashcroft's Turkey Pet Gift For Vegetarian Son

Rocker Richard Ashcroft astonished his butcher by ordering a giant turkey - as a pet for his vegetarian son.

The former The Verve singer paid £20 for the bird - weighing in at a mouth-watering 16lbs - a few days before Christmas.

But instead of having it slaughtered the dad-of-two asked for a cage and whisked the turkey away for nine-year-old Sonny.

Richard, 38, who lives in Ledbury, Herefordshire, said: "My son has recently turned vegetarian and he said he wanted a turkey for Christmas. I travel to the butchers a lot and have definitely bought the luckiest turkey in Ledbury."

Butcher Matthew Waller of DT Waller and Sons added: "It was quite an odd request to take the turkey home alive but we were happy to oblige."

Richard, who had hits with Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet Symphony, has since named the turkey Lucky.