Portishead Talk New Material

New album "like eating a curry"

Legendary Bristol group Portishead have confirmed that they are working on a new album.

Way back in the early 90s, something strange was emerging from Bristol. A series of bands and producers bound by a commitment to dark, brooding electronic music revealed themselves in quick succession.

Perhaps the most successful archetypes of ‘the Bristol sound’ were Portishead. The group returned after a decade long hiatus last year with their new album ‘Third’.

A startling return it showed that while time may have moved on Portishead had moved quickly to catch up with musical currents. At times bordering on being industrial, the harsh, abrasive textures of ‘Third’ were matched with typically soothing elements.

Now the band’s Geoff Barrow has revealed that the band are currently working on new material. Confirming that Portishead were drafting some ideas for a new album, the songwriter claimed that ‘Third’ did not take ten years to record.

“No, it’s just that I gave up music for five years, so the album only took about four years in total” he revealed. “But I guess when you’re trying to reinvent the wheel – I don’t think we did it – don’t get me wrong, I don’t rate myself that highly – but when you come up with something that you are finally happy with, it’s ok.”

Speaking to The Quietus, Geoff Barrow also claimed that the band would tour in December. However fans shouldn’t anticipate quick recording sessions. “We didn’t want to repeat ourselves but it was really difficult sometimes.” he said.

“If you want to do something different, you really can’t because it doesn’t sound like you; so when you don’t sound like what you like about yourself, you end up writing stuff that you hate. It was like eating a curry and puking it up and eating it again.”

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.