In The Studio - Exchanging Creative Juices With: Depeche Mode
[Q, July 2005. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
The release of Dave Gahan’s debut solo album, 2003’s Paper Monsters, caused tension in the Depeche Mode camp. The singer griped that his role in the band was that of “an instrument being used by others”, before dropping dark hints that the Essex veteran’s future was far from certain.
Two years on, his mood is infinitely brighter. The singer and bandmates Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher recently regrouped in California to record their 11th studio album. To Gahan’s surprise, it’s been a happy reunion.
“The strangest thing that’s happened is that we’re all getting on pretty well,” he says. “With the last album [2001’s Exciter], it all felt a bit dead. This time we’re all pulling together a lot more.”
Tellingly, chief songwriter Martin Gore’s creative monopoly has been broken. For the first time in the band’s 25-year career, Gahan has brought his own songs to the table. “There’s a new drive within Depeche Mode,” he says wryly. “It’s called competition.”
Despite the harmonious intra-band relations, Gahan promises that the still-untitled album is as dark as anything the band have recorded, pitching it somewhere between the stadium electronica of 1990’s Violator and 1993’s guitar-heavy Songs Of Faith And Devotion.
“With Depeche Mode, there’s always that darkness in there,” he says. “At the same time, there’s hopefulness. Out of despair and suffering comes something good.”
As the band’s stint in Santa Barbara draws to a close, Gahan is looking forward to a few weeks off before recording resumes in his adopted hometown of New York.
“We’re ready to make a move,” says the singer. “There’s only so much sun you can take when you’re singing songs about pain and suffering.”
SLEEVENOTES
Working Title: TBC
Due: October 2005
Completed Tracks: Pain, Suffer Well, Everything, Free, Sinner In Me, Macro
Production: Ben Hillier
Recorded At: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, California
Strange But True: A recent posting on the band’s website claimed that Andy Fletcher would be on the cover of top-shelf ladies’ mag Playgirl. Sadly, it turned out to be an April Fool’s joke.
[Q, July 2005. Words: Uncredited. Picture: Uncredited.]
The release of Dave Gahan’s debut solo album, 2003’s Paper Monsters, caused tension in the Depeche Mode camp. The singer griped that his role in the band was that of “an instrument being used by others”, before dropping dark hints that the Essex veteran’s future was far from certain.
Two years on, his mood is infinitely brighter. The singer and bandmates Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher recently regrouped in California to record their 11th studio album. To Gahan’s surprise, it’s been a happy reunion.
“The strangest thing that’s happened is that we’re all getting on pretty well,” he says. “With the last album [2001’s Exciter], it all felt a bit dead. This time we’re all pulling together a lot more.”
Tellingly, chief songwriter Martin Gore’s creative monopoly has been broken. For the first time in the band’s 25-year career, Gahan has brought his own songs to the table. “There’s a new drive within Depeche Mode,” he says wryly. “It’s called competition.”
Despite the harmonious intra-band relations, Gahan promises that the still-untitled album is as dark as anything the band have recorded, pitching it somewhere between the stadium electronica of 1990’s Violator and 1993’s guitar-heavy Songs Of Faith And Devotion.
“With Depeche Mode, there’s always that darkness in there,” he says. “At the same time, there’s hopefulness. Out of despair and suffering comes something good.”
As the band’s stint in Santa Barbara draws to a close, Gahan is looking forward to a few weeks off before recording resumes in his adopted hometown of New York.
“We’re ready to make a move,” says the singer. “There’s only so much sun you can take when you’re singing songs about pain and suffering.”
SLEEVENOTES
Working Title: TBC
Due: October 2005
Completed Tracks: Pain, Suffer Well, Everything, Free, Sinner In Me, Macro
Production: Ben Hillier
Recorded At: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, California
Strange But True: A recent posting on the band’s website claimed that Andy Fletcher would be on the cover of top-shelf ladies’ mag Playgirl. Sadly, it turned out to be an April Fool’s joke.