[Rush drummer says next project might not be album]
In a recent short interview with The Canadian Press where he discusses his recording of a new version of The Hockey Theme, Neil Peart gives us the first official bit of news regarding the format of Rush's next project:
Rush drummer Neil Peart says the legendary Toronto band is in the early stages of planning a new project but the new music may not be released in traditional album format.
"We feel very much liberated from the album format in a way right now, because in the three years since our last album (2007's 'Snakes & Arrows'), suddenly albums don't mean anything," Peart told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview from his home in California.
"We're thinking of writing and recording a few songs and maybe releasing them, and playing them live, and then going back and doing some more later. We just feel really free (in terms) of what we might do right now.
"Anything is possible in the nicest way and we like the fact of shaking it all up."
Peart says he's started writing new lyrics while bandmates Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are preparing at their Toronto studio ("every time we start a new record, the technology is all different, and we've gotta learn it . . . again," he explains).
Asked if he would be willing to reveal details of any of the new songs, the personable Peart replied: "No, sir. (But) I like them."
But the 57-year-old says the band is aware that the record industry is in flux, and would rather adapt with the times than worry about the past.
"We're kind of taking this as a challenge to do something with, rather than to moan about," he explained.
"(It's) a healthier reaction than getting mad: 'Aww, things aren't how they used to be -- we wanted to make a 12-inch album with two sides!' Those things ARE hard to give up, and every time now we make a side one and side two mentally and build the dynamics ... so there is something lost.
"But, on the other hand, it's pointless to lament about it, and now we have the opportunity to take advantage of this amorphous situation going on in the music business right now." ...
So it sounds like releasing an LP is still possible though unlikely, and they will instead just release a few songs digitally or as an EP (or both), and play the songs on tour this Summer. This makes sense in light of the fact that producer Nick Raskulinecz will be busy working on the next Stone Sour album in the coming weeks. That would make it tough for him to also produce a full-length Rush album before a Summer tour. But it's certainly possible for him to produce a few songs for digital release in that timeframe. Hopefully more details regarding the project will be revealed in the coming weeks, and we should be getting an official announcement regarding the tour sometime next month. Thanks to Here and now for the heads up.
Related Posts:
[Rush 2010 tour and album update]
[Radio stations giving away Rush 2010 tour tickets?]
[Geddy Lee: Rush in the studio soon, Summer 2010 tour possible]
[Neil Peart news update: Rush to discuss future plans this month]
[Alex Lifeson: new Rush album, tour possible in 2010]
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