Simian Mobile Disco Nab Gruff Rhys, Beth Ditto for LP

James Ford producing new Klaxons disc
Simian Mobile Disco Nab Gruff Rhys, Beth Ditto for LP

Photo by Sanchez and Kitahara

Busy guy, that James Ford. Not only is the Simian Mobile Disco man responsible for producing both the recent Last Shadow Puppets disc and Klaxons' forthcoming follow-up to last year's Mercury Prize-winning Myths of the Near Future (which Ford also produced), but he's already started work on the next album from his day job.

Speaking with BBC's Newsbeat [via NME.com], Ford noted that he and SMD cohort James Shaw hope to have a new Simian Mobile Disco LP out toward the end of 2008. "We've already done a track with Gruff Rhys from the Super Furry Animals, which is great, and one with Beth Ditto from the Gossip," he said. "It's looking good so far." No kidding.

Of the latest Klaxons disc, Ford claimed, "They're trying to keep it melodic and vocal because that's one of their great strong points." What's more, that whole nu-rave thing Klaxons both epitomized and transcended might be a thing of the past for the band. Ford let it be known that Klaxons are "still trying to push forward, so I don't think it's going to sound too much like the last record."

Ford's also been handling drum duties for the Last Shadow Puppets, and he plans to get married this month. Provided he can work that in somehow. One would think, with all this going on, the two Jameses wouldn't have a moment to spare on Simian Mobile Disco appearances. One would, in this case, be wrong. Have a look:

Simian Mobile Disco (all DJ sets):

09-26 Lincoln, England - Moda
09-27 Leeds, England - Wax:On
10-03 London, England - This Is Not London @ Matter
10-04 Manchester, England - Eat Your Own Ears @ Warehouse Project
10-31 Los Angeles, CA - Hard Haunted Mansion Festival

Posted by Paul Thompson on Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 4:30pm