Showing posts with label John Taylor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Taylor. Show all posts

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Duran Duran Captures Halloween Spirt on 'Danse Macabre'


Duran Duran, from left, is drummer Roger Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, singer Simon Le Bon and bassist John Taylor. Photo
 credit: Stephanie Pistel



Artist: Duran Duran

Title: Danse Macabre (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Roxy Music, Duran Duran, Danny Elfman

Tell me more: Duran Duran's Halloween-themed album Danse Macabre may immerse itself in the dark and spooky trappings of the holiday but is thankfully not bound but them. Indeed, Danse Macabre is a decidedly fun listen that finds the pioneering British quartet 
— singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor and keyboardist Nick Rhodes  offering up a winning mix of brand new originals, creatively reworked covers of songs by Talking HeadsThe Rolling StonesBillie Eilish and The Specials and even new versions of past Duran Duran classics. What's more, the concept album includes a celebrated parade of musical guests including producer/guitarist/composer Nile RodgersMåneskin singer Victoria De Angelis and former Duran Duran members Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo

Among the terrific cuts on Danse Macabre are the unsettling opener "Nightboat," a shimmering bass-heavy grooving version of Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" featuring guest vocals from De Angelis, the gothic dance title track, instantly-accessible funk foray "Black Moonlight," playful "Ghost Town," a fiery run through Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Spellbound" and a propulsive take on The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." The 13-track album closes with the luxuriously beautiful "Confession In The Afterlife."

Danse Macabre is out now via Tape Modern for BMG with artwork featuring images adapted from a collection of authentic vintage séance photos sourced by Nick Rhodes at auction.  It is available on Black 2LP and CD, with a limited-edition Translucent Galaxy 2LP. The album is also available on high res Blu-ray audio. 

Information: duranduran.com


Robert Kinsler

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

NAMM’s Media Preview Day provides a myriad of sights and sounds

Article by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz


Although The 2023 NAMM Show officially kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, April 13), a Media Preview Day was held this afternoon and offered an early glimpse of a number of music industry brand reveals that will be showcased at the highly-anticipated show April 13-15 at the Anaheim Convention Center. A special "thank you" to Bob Steshetz for his photography.


The "Volia" guitar is on display in Booth #5828.



One of the most impressive musical instruments I got to see up close were the Universium TT Guitars, is a collaboration known as "Volia" created by the talents at Sweden's True Temperament brand and Ukraine's Universum Guitars brand. These guitars were built in Kyiv, Ukraine during the war and are available to raise money for Ukrainians during this challenging time. NAMM-goers can see the Volia electric guitars at Booth 5828 in Hall D during the NAMM Show. Learn more by watching the informational video at: 
https://youtu.be/gGGzpW-00dw.


Peavey's 6505 Reissue Guitar Amplifier (above),
and the company's HP Poplar Burl RM
electric guitar (below).




John Fera
, a digital design engineer with Peavey Electronics, was on hand to discuss the company's 6505 1992 Original Guitar Amplifier, as well as the new HP 2 Poplar Burl RM In 1992, Peavey collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to launch the 5150 guitar amp. Van Halen eventually started his own company but Peavey has reissued this amp to mark its 30th anniversary under the new 6505 name. Visit Peavey's line of instruments, accessories, pro audio and more at Booth #210A during the NAMM Show.




Cello Azul playing the "Horizon" electric cello.

3Dvarius
is a France-based company bringing their "New Generation Electric Violins" to the NAMM Show. Laurent Bernadac, co-founder of the company, was there to note that the company's bowed string instruments include both electric violins and cellos. The electric cello "
Horizon" can be played seated or standing and is sold with a strap system. The talented cellist Cello Azul played the Horizon and impressed media representatives throughout the preview event. Visit 3Dvarius at Booth #9532.



Dingwall Guitars
displayed the John Taylor Signature Model bass. Taylor, the acclaimed bassist of Duran Duran, is a limited-edition instrument. "We opened the (online) store today and they are sold out," said Sheldon Dingwall, the founder of the Canadian company, noting it took approximately two years to design and produce the limited edition bass. "We created 82 instruments to go along with the year Rio was released (1982)." The good news is more widely-available productive models will be available at boutique guitar shops this summer. Check out the John Taylor Signature Model bass at Booth #4610.


The Donner REVO Smart Guitar (seen on the right) is a groundbreaking instrument that will please guitar players and educators assisting beginners learning how to play. Equipped with a patented DMI pickup system and advanced audio algorithm by Donner's engineer, REVO  can recognize, and show every note played by the player. It's colorful lighting fretboard is an impressive gateway to the technology housed in the instrument. Come see the smart guitar at Booth #4324.


Below are more images taken at Media Preview Day on April 12, 2023.



The Zylia 6DoF was among the
state-of-the-art products on display.
www.ZYLIA.co


Acclaimed singer-guitarist Terry Reid
talking music with Robert Kinsler.




Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Duran Duran set to headline three nights at legendary Hollywood Bowl

Duran Duran is set to headline at the Hollywood Bowl in late summer. Here are all the details...Robert Kinsler


DURAN DURAN TO HEADLINE THREE CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL THIS SUMMER

NOMINATED FOR 2022 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION — VOTE HERE

RELEASE DIGITAL DELUXE VERSION OF FIFTEENTH STUDIO ALBUM, ‘FUTURE PAST’ - OUT NOW

[TAPE MODERN VIA BMG]





HOLLYWOOD BOWL DATES
09/09 - Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA - TICKETS
09/10 - Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA - TICKETS
09/11 - Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA - TICKETS


In celebration of their spectacular four-decade career, and the Bowl’s centennial, internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum, award-winning legends Duran Duran will headline an exciting three-day weekend, where they will be joined by special guests to celebrate their rich and colorful career. Performing songs from their most recent critically-acclaimed studio album, FUTURE PAST, together with all the hits, this event will mark a new and exciting chapter for the band.

Recently nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of FameDuran Duran enlisted some of the most exciting names in music on FUTURE PAST, delivering yet another genre-spanning piece of work that once again sets them apart from the pack. Featuring Swedish hitmaker, Tove Lo and British Queen of Drill, Ivorian Doll, as well as, to Blur’s Graham Coxon and Japanese all-girl punk band CHAI, songs from the new album fit seamlessly in the new live set with classics such as “Rio,” “Ordinary World,” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.

Tickets for the three Hollywood Bowl shows will go on-sale May 3 at 10 a.m. PST.

DD VIP Fan Community pre-sales will be available from Tuesday, April 26 at 10 a.m. PST, until Monday, May 2, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Additional information will be available on the pre-sale page at www.duranduranmusic.com closer to the pre-sale date.

For more information, visit www.hollywoodbowl.com

More North American tour dates to be announced.

Last week, Duran Duran released a digital deluxe version of their latest album FUTURE PAST, featuring three previously unreleased songs. Listen HERE. Read Robert Kinsler's October 2021 review of FUTURE PAST HERE.
‘FUTURE PAST’ (DELUXE) TRACKLIST 
INVISIBLE
ALL OF YOU
GIVE IT ALL UP (Feat. Tove Lo)
ANNIVERSARY
FUTURE PAST
VELVET NEWTON*
BEAUTIFUL LIES
TONIGHT UNITED
WING
NOTHING LESS
LAUGHING BOY*
HAMMERHEAD (Feat. Ivorian Doll)
INVOCATION*
MORE JOY! (Feat. CHAI)
FALLING (Feat. Mike Garson)
 
*Bonus Tracks
 

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Duran Duran share new track "Anniversary" from forthcoming album 'Future Past'

A great uptempo advance track from Duran Duran's forthcoming album Future Past was released today. Check out "Anniversary" now...Robert Kinsler



DURAN DURAN SHARE ‘ANNIVERSARY’ FROM FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM, ‘FUTURE PAST’
 
SET TO PERFORM AT 
GLOBAL CITIZEN LIVE SEPTEMBER 25

 
HEADLINING AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3 & 10
 
 ‘FUTURE PAST’ OUT OCTOBER 22 
PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE

[TAPE MODERN FOR BMG]
LISTEN
‘ANNIVERSARY’

PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE
‘FUTURE PAST’
[TAPE MODERN FOR BMG]

 
Today, Duran Duran share the anthemic ‘ANNIVERSARY’, produced by the band along with British DJ/producer, Erol Alkan and the third song taken from their fifteenth studio album, ‘FUTURE PAST’, set for global release on October 22 via TAPE MODERN for BMG. Pre-order/save/add HERE.
 
 ‘ANNIVERSARY’ is Duran Duran at their exhilarating best and continues to show why they’re still one of the most exciting and progressive bands on the planet. Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, the song is sure to be a massive live favorite. Listen HERE.
 
Speaking from London, where they are rehearsing for a string of upcoming UK dates, Duran Duran bassist and founder member John Taylor said today:
 
‘ANNIVERSARY’ is a special song for us. Obviously we were conscious of our own impending 40th anniversary of making music together, but we wanted the song’s meaning to be inclusive in the broadest possible way. 
 
After playing and working together for so long, we very much appreciate what ‘being together’ and ’staying together’ can really mean, it’s not something we would have thought song-worthy 40 years ago but we do today!
 
It was also fun to build a track with hints of previous Duran hits, they’re like Easter eggs, for the fans to find.”
 
The internationally acclaimed, multi-platinum, award-winning pop legends recently announced a headlining slot at this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival, where they will perform on the main stage on Sunday, October 3 and 10. The band will also be playing at the upcoming Global Citizen LIVE on September 25.
 
Enrolling the help of some of the most exciting names of the last 50 years, with ‘FUTURE PAST’ Duran Duran has delivered yet another incredible genre-spanning piece of work that once again sets them apart from the pack. Working alongside British DJ / producerErol Alkan and pioneering Italian composer / producer Giorgio Moroder, the band has enlisted the help of some of the most unexpected and inspiring names in pop - including multi-platinum Swedish hit-maker Tove Lo, ‘Queen of Drill’ Ivorian Doll, and Japan’s CHAI on ‘MORE JOY!’.  In addition, Blur’s Graham Coxon co-wrote and lends his guitar to several tracks on the record, and David Bowie’s former pianist Mike Garson adds an exquisite sonic layer to album closer ‘FALLING’. The record, which was recorded across studios in London and LA over lockdown, also features long-time collaborator Mark Ronson who co-wrote and played on ‘WING’, andwas mixed by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent.
 
Earlier this year, Duran Duran captivated American audiences with their spellbinding performance at the Billboard Music Awards where they debuted their single ‘INVISIBLE’ as well as classics, ‘Notorious’ and ‘Hungry Like The Wolf,’ (WATCH). They also recently played on NBC’s The Today Show (WATCH) and just days ago paid a visit to Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live! With Andy Cohen.
 
FUTURE PAST will be available on all digital platforms, as well as in a variety of physical formats: standard CD, cassette, a limited edition deluxe hardback book CD featuring three additional tracks, and colored vinyl. 
 
Watch the video for ‘MORE JOY!’ feat. CHAI HERE
Watch the video for ‘INVISIBLE’ HERE
PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE
INVISIBLE
ALL OF YOU
GIVE IT ALL UP (Feat. Tove Lo)
ANNIVERSARY
FUTURE PAST
BEAUTIFUL LIES
TONIGHT UNITED
WING
NOTHING LESS
HAMMERHEAD (Feat. Ivorian Doll)
MORE JOY! (Feat. CHAI)
FALLING (Feat. Mike Garson)

Thursday, July 09, 2015

Inbox Update: Duran Duran, Keith Richards, Shemekia Copeland, The Doobie Brothers

Here is a plethora of news to get your day going…

Duran Duran announce earlier release date  (Sept. 11, 2015) for forthcoming album 'Paper Gods'

Multi-platinum superstars Duran Duran have announced that, due to popular demand, they will move the U.S. release date of their 14th studio album, Paper Gods, up from September 18th to give it a global street date of September 11th.

Singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor recorded Paper Gods in London with producers Nile RodgersMark Ronson, Josh Blair, and Mr Hudson. The songs - already being heralded as the band's best work since Rio - capture the true essence of Duran Duran, with the duality and sense of conflict that has always been at the heart of their music. Visceral and daring, the album mixes hard-edged, contemporary pop with the band's darker more experimental side to create a body of work that is epic in its scope.

A Deluxe version of Paper Gods is currently available for pre-order at all participating retailers. The Deluxe Fan Edition is available exclusively at http://www.duranduran.com or http://smarturl.it/duranduranmusicstore.  The new
single "Pressure Off" is available everywhere digital music is sold.


Duran Duran have also announced that they will perform a series of summer festivals, as well as a run of shows in the U.S. in September and October, followed by a UK arena tour that kicks off in late November. Please visit http://www.duranduran.com/ for details.

Keith Richards releases 'Crosseyed Heart'

First solo album in more than 20 years slated for release on September 18, 2015

Keith Richards will release his eagerly anticipated CROSSEYED HEART, his third solo album and his first in over 20 years, September 18th on Republic Records.

CROSSEYED HEART, a 15-track masterclass encompassing everything that makes Keith Richards one of the 20th century’s most celebrated talents, is a 5* musical journey that takes in reggae, rock, country and the blues.

The first taste of CROSSEYED HEART will be unveiled on July 17 with the explosive first single, “Trouble,” a taut guitar based slice of heaven featuring Richards on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, lead and backup vocals. He is richly supported by old friends, drummer Steve Jordan, guitarist Waddy Wachtel and Bernard Fowler on backup vocals. The song was written by and produced by Keith and Steve Jordan.

“I had a ball making this new record and working with Steve Jordan and Waddy Wachtel again. There’s nothing like walking into a studio and having absolutely no idea what you’re going to come out with on the other end. If you're looking for ‘Trouble,’ you've come to the right place.”

Keith wrote or co-wrote the majority of the tracks on CROSSEYED HEART, many with co-producer Steve Jordan. Highlights include the country tinged ache of “Robbed Blind”, the reggae flavored “Love Overdue,” and the aptly named “Blues In The Morning.” Richards collaborates with several artists including a captivating duet with Norah Jones on the soulful ballad “Illusion” which she co-wrote.

Keith Richards, who plays electric and acoustic guitars, bass, piano and vocals on the album, is also joined by guitarist Waddy Wachtel, keyboardist Ivan Neville and background singer Sarah Dash, part of the X-Pensive Winos, who accompanied Richards on his previous solo records. 

Steve Jordan plays drums and vocals and other artists accompany Richards’ on individual tracks, including Stax songwriter and keyboardist Spooner Oldham on “Lovers Plea,” pedal steel by Larry Campbell on “Robbed Blind,” Aaron Neville on backup vocals on “Nothing On Me,” and dear friend Bobby Keys on saxophone on “Amnesia” and “Blues In The Morning.” 

Keith has released two other solo studio albums, Talk Is Cheap in 1988 and Main Offender in 1992 as well as a live albumentitled, Live at the Hollywood Palladium, December 15, 1988.

Twitter & Instagram: @officialKeef

Shemekia Copeland's 'Outskirts of Love' coming September 11, 2015 via Alligator Records

Alligator Records has set a September 11 street date for Outskirts Of Love, the genre-smashing new release from trailblazing vocalist Shemekia Copeland. With a voice that is alternately sultry, assertive and roaring, Shemekia’s wide-open vision of contemporary blues, roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with a modern musical and lyrical approach. Whether she’s belting out a raucous blues-rocker, firing up a blistering soul-shouter, bringing the spirit to a gospel-fueled R&B rave-up or digging deep down into a subtle, country-tinged ballad, Shemekia Copeland sounds like no one else. The Chicago Tribune said Copeland delivers "gale force singing and power" with a "unique, gutsy style, vibrant emotional palette and intuitive grasp of the music." NPR Music calls her “fiercely expressive.”
 
Copeland’s return to Alligator Records with Outskirts Of Love (she recorded four albums for the label from 1998 through 2006) finds her at her most charismatic, performing roots rock, Americana, and blues with power and authority, nuance and shading. Produced by The Wood Brothers’ Oliver Wood, Outskirts Of Love is a musical tour-de-force, with Copeland rocking out on the title track, taking charge in Crossbone Beach, honoring her father, the late Johnny Clyde Copeland with her Afrobeat-infused take on his Devil’s Hand, tackling homelessness on Cardboard Box and showing off her country swagger on Drivin’ Out Of Nashville. She puts her stamp on songs made famous by Solomon Burke (I Feel A Sin Coming On), Jesse Winchester (Isn’t That So), Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (The Battle Is Over), Creedence Clearwater Revival (Long As I Can See The Light), ZZ Top (Jesus Just Left Chicago), Albert King (Wrapped Up In Love Again) and Jessie Mae Hemphill (Lord Help The Poor And Needy). Friends including Billy F Gibbons (see photo below), Robert Randolph, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Will Kimbrough and Pete Finney all add their talent with unbridled enthusiasm. The result is Copeland’s most decidedly contemporary and musically adventurous album of her still-evolving career.
When Shemekia first appeared on the scene at age 18 in 1998 with her groundbreaking debut CD, Turn The Heat Up, she instantly became a blues superstar. Critics from around the country celebrated her music as fans of all ages agreed that an unstoppable new talent had arrived. News outlets from The New York Times to CNN took note of Copeland's talent, engaging personality, and true star power. She followed up with 2000's Grammy-nominated Wicked, 2002's Talking To Strangers (produced by Dr. John) and 2008’s The Soul Truth (produced by Steve Cropper). In that short period of time, she earned eight Blues Music Awards, a host of Living BluesAwards (including the prestigious 2010 Blues Artist Of The Year) and more accolades from fans, critics and fellow musicians. Two highly successful releases on Telarc (including 2012's Grammy-nominated 33 1/3) cemented her reputation as a singer who, according to NPR's All Things Considered, "embodies the blues with her powerful vocal chops and fearless look at social issues." USA Today says, "Copeland is a singer with fervor and funk, power and range.”
 
Copeland has performed thousands of gigs at clubs, festivals and concert halls all over the world and has appeared on national television, NPR, and in newspapers, films and magazines. She is a mainstay on countless commercial and non-commercial radio stations. She's sung with Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, James Cotton and many others. She opened for The Rolling Stones and entertained U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait. Jeff Beck calls her “f*cking amazing.” Santana says, “She’s incandescent…a diamond.” At the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois officially declared Copeland to be “The New Queen Of The Blues.” In 2012, she performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Afterward, Jagger (with whom she sang) sent her a bottle of champagne.
 
With Outskirts Of Love and a packed tour schedule, Copeland has her eyes fixed firmly on the future as she continues to break new musical ground. "I want to keep growing, to be innovative," she says. “I’m a lifer, singing about things that bother me, using my music to help people. My dad always said ‘we’re all connected.’ I’m an old soul marching to the beat of my own drum,” she continues, “And right now I’m making the most exciting music of my career.”

The Doobie Brothers: The Warner Bros. Years coming July 24, 2015 
10-CD Boxed Set Includes Every Album The Legendary
Band Recorded For Warner Bros. Records Between 1971 And 1983
   
Available On July 24 From Rhino  
The Doobie Brothers recorded some of the band’s most iconic music during their dozen years with Warner Bros. Records, scoring major hits with timeless tunes like “Long Train Runnin’,” “Black Water,” and “Takin’ It To The Streets.” With 46 million albums sold during their outstanding career, The Doobie Brothers have nothing left to prove, but this summer the group is still “Rockin’ Down the Highway” as they tour North America.  
Rhino salutes the group with a new 10-CD boxed set that features some of the band’s greatest albums. THE WARNER BROS. YEARS 1971-1983 will be available on July 24 for a list price of $79.98.  
The set includes more than 110 songs from 10 albums: The Doobie Brothers (1971), Toulouse Street (1972), The Captain And Me (1973), What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974), Stampede (1975), Takin’ It To The Streets (1976), Livin’ On The Fault Line (1977), Minute By Minute (1978), One Step Closer (1980), and Farwell Tour (1983).

The Doobie Brothers started out in 1969 as a northern California bar band. In 1970 the band signed with Warner Bros. and in 1971 released its self-titled debut album. It was the beginning of a 12-year streak in which The Doobies released ten new albums. The group’s commercial breakthrough came with its sophomore effort, Toulouse Street, which boasted popular tracks like “Listen To The Music” and “Jesus Is Just Alright.” The string of hits continued on The Captain And Me with “Long Train Runnin’” and the classic “China Grove.” The Doobie Brothers notched their first #1 in the funky “Black Water” from their 1974 album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.

In 1975, the band began to expand Pat Simmons’ and Tom Johnston’s rock and country influences with R&B and even scored a hit with its cover the Motown track, “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While.)” In 1976, with the addition of Michael McDonald to the band, they introduced more R&B and keyboards to their rocking sound and the hits kept rolling with the title track from Takin’ It To The Streets. In 1979, The Doobie Brothers won four Grammy® Awards on the strength of its triple-platinum album, Minute By Minute. The final disc in this new collection is the 1983 live album Farewell Tour, which includes performances of songs that spanned the band’s entire history to that point. This 10 CD Set represents an outstanding body of work from one of America’s most popular bands.
  

THE WARNER BROS. YEARS 1971-1983    
Album Listing   
The Doobie Brothers (1971)
Toulouse Street (1972)
The Captain And Me (1973)
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974)
Stampede (1975)
Takin’ It To The Streets (1976)
Livin’ On The Fault Line (1977)
Minute By Minute (1978)
One Step Closer (1980)
Farwell Tour (1983)

Monday, June 15, 2015

Duran Duran announce title and release date of upcoming new album

We finally know, the title of Duran Duran's next album is...


DURAN DURAN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM PAPER GODS
DUE SEPTEMBER 18 IN THE U.S. FROM WARNER BROS. RECORDS AND SEPTEMBER 11 IN ALL OTHER TERRITORIES

FIRST SINGLE IS "PRESSURE OFF," FEATURING JANELLE MONÁE

MULTI-PLATINUM BAND ANNOUNCE U.S. AND U.K. 2015 TOUR DATES


JUNE 15, 2015 - Burbank, CA - Multi-platinum superstars Duran Duran will release their 14th studio album, Paper Gods in the U.S. on September 18th and in the rest of the world on September 11th through Warner Bros. Records. Singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor recorded the album in London with producers Nile RodgersMark Ronson, Josh Blair,and Mr Hudson. The record features special guests Janelle Monáe (on the first single "Pressure Off"), former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitaristJohn Frusciante, Canadian Juno-Award winning singer Kiesza, British singer/songwriter Mr Hudson, violinist Davidé Rossi and actress Lindsay Lohan. The album was mixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent. Paper Gods will be available for pre-order and "Pressure Off" will be available for purchase at all participating digital retailers and DuranDuran.com this week.

The songs on Paper Gods capture the duality and sense of conflict at the heart of Duran Duran's music. "It really goes back to that strange early Duran mix: the hard-edged pop, coexisting with this dark, weird, experimental side," John says. "That's something that's essential to all of us," Nick adds. "It's great to be able to lift people's spirits - and your own - with a strong shot of pure pop, but the world we live in isn't all just made of that stuff, so it seems natural to me that we have kept one foot in the darker, more Gothic side of life."

Early sessions for Paper Gods began in 2013, with Mark Ronson and engineer Josh Blair once again joining the band in their south London recording studio, as they had for 2011's All You Need is Now, which was produced by Ronson. When Ronson was called away to begin working on his own album, Duran Duran and Blair hooked up with the Kanye West/Jay-Z collaborator Ben "Mr" Hudson, and the sessions caught fire.  In the summer of 2014, Ronson returned once more to the project, adding long-time Duran collaborator, Nile Rodgers to the mix for two of the album's standout tracks.  The remaining songs were co-produced by Josh Blair and the band.

"We found a whole new level of inspiration on this album," says Rhodes. "We've allowed ourselves the time to make music that we can be proud of," adds Le Bon. "I judge what we release by my favourite albums - HorsesHarvestLet It BleedBlueTransformerAladdin Sane. Those are classic albums. The only rule is it's got to be music you can live with for the rest of your life."

CHIC co-founder Nile Rodgers and Mark Ronson co-wrote, and produced the tracks "Pressure Off" and "Only in Dreams."  Rodgers also features on the first single from what will be the band's 14th studio release.  The former harks back to the taut funk of Duran Duran's 1986 albumNotorious, which was also co-produced by Rodgers. "Notorious was a strong touchstone for the band," says Roger Taylor. All You Need is Now definitely reflected our earlier albums, but our starting point here was Notorious. We're fortunate to be able to be inspired by our own back catalogue - not many bands can say that."

In a collaboration overseen by China Chow, the band worked closely with Los Angeles-based artist Alex Israel, who created the album's cover art. It features a collage of images that reference the visual history of Duran Duran, each placed like a sticker on a reproduction of Israel's "Sky Backdrop" painting.  The logo and graphic design are by Brian Roettinger.

Alongside news of the new album, Duran Duran have also announced that they will perform a series of summer festivals, as well as several shows in the U.S. in September and October, followed by a UK arena tour that kicks off in late November. Fan Community members (www.duranduranmusic.com) will have access to pre-sale tickets and VIP packages.  Following the Duran Duran VIP member presale, in the UK, American Express Card Members will have the ability to purchase tickets before the general public on-sale. (See below for full details and dates).

Formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978, Duran Duran is one of the most culturally influential and commercially successful bands of all time, topping the charts around the world over the past three decades and selling more than 100 million records worldwide. The band has been honored with multiple Grammy, BRIT, Ivor Novello, and MTV Video Music Lifetime Achievement Awards, as well as a 20th Century Style Icon award from the City of Milan. In July, they will receive the Spotify UK Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's 40th Anniversary O2 Silver Clef Awards. Tireless innovators, they are always at the vanguard of music, fashion, art, technology and film - a group with unique and everlasting appeal. 

Duran Duran's upcoming tour dates are as follows:

06/20  Barcelona, Spain                 Sonar by Night Festival
06/27  The Hague, Netherlands     Night At The Park
06/28  Kerry, Ireland                       Killarney Festival

08/05  Riverhead, NY                    FOLD Festival (Freak Out!  Let's Dance
                                                      Festival - Martha Clara Vineyards)
08/06  Bethlehem, PA                   Musikfest - ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks

09/01  Ibiza                                   Heart at the Ibiza Gran Hotel
09/05  Gibraltar                             Gibraltar Music Festival @ Victoria Stadium
09/11  Isle of Wight, UK                Bestival @ Robin Hill Park

US Tour:

09/20  Morrison, CO                      Red Rocks Amphitheatre
                                                       w/ CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers & Clean Bandit
09/23  Puyallup, WA                      Washington State Fair
                                                       w/ CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers
09/25  Reno, NV                            Grand Theatre - Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
                                                       w/ Clean Bandit      
09/26  Las Vegas, NV                    Life is Beautiful Festival
09/27  San Diego, CA                    Cal Coast Union Open Air Theatre
                                                       w/ Clean Bandit
10/01  Los Angeles, CA                 Hollywood Bowl
                                                       w/ CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers & Clean Bandit
10/02  San Francisco, CA              The Greek Theatre, Berkeley
                                                       w/ CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers & Clean Bandit
10/03  Rancho Mirage, CA             The Show - Agua Caliente Casino                      
                                                       w/ Clean Bandit

UK Tour: **

11/27  Manchester, UK                   Manchester Arena
11/28  Leeds, UK                            First Direct Arena
11/30  Cardiff, UK                           Motorpoint Arena
12/02  Brighton, UK                        Brighton Centre
12/04  Birmingham, UK                  Genting Arena
12/05  Newcastle, UK                     Metro Radio Arena
12/06  Glasgow, Scotland              The SSE Hydro
12/08  London, UK                         The O2
12/09  Bournemouth, UK                Bournemouth International Centre
12/11  Nottingham, UK                   Capital FM Arena
12/12  Liverpool, UK                       Echo Arena


** In the UK, thanks to American Express Invites®, all American Express Card Members get exclusive priority booking for tickets before the general public. American Express Invites priority booking starts 9am 16 June 2015 and ends 9am 19 June 2015. Tickets are available throughticketmaster.co.uk/amex.