Simple MindsSimple Minds frontman Jim Kerr is looking forward to releasing a new album and divulged that a very special guest appears on it: CHVRCHES’ Iain Cook.
In a recent interview with The Music, which will soon be published, Kerr shared that, following work with Cook on Simple Minds’ 2014 album, Big Music – Cook co-wrote the songs Honest Town and Blood Diamonds – the band have once again teamed up with him.
“Well, I can tell you there’s an Iain Cook tune on it,” Kerr said after The Music asked if he could spill anything about their recently finished 20th album, the follow-up to 2022’s DIRECTION > of > the > HEART.
He added, “We’re really excited about that. We’re at the finishing line with it and, again, I’m excited about it.”
However, Kerr can’t say that he loves being in the studio. “I don’t love the process of recording anymore; I really have to say that I don’t, but I still love writing songs. Fortunately, [bandmate] Charlie [Burchill] works a lot more in the studio than me. We map things out, he gets on with it, then he brings me in.”
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He concluded, “This is the week where the record company’s been listening to it and [release] plans are starting to be made. So, it’s real – it’s coming.”
Iain Cook previously indicated that he’s a “fanboy” of Jim Kerr, opening up about the first time working with him with The Music’s Cyclone Wehner for Music Feeds.
Meanwhile, Kerr and Burchill are returning to Australia in early 2027, recently announcing a highly anticipated arena tour where they’ll be joined by very special guest Gary Numan.
Frequent visitors to Australia, the Don’t You (Forget About Me) hitmakers were last on our shores in February 2024, when they co-headlined the Red Hot Summer Tour with ICEHOUSE. Sideshows included appearances at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, and the Sydney Opera House, among others.
Kerr said of the band’s long-standing love for Australia, “Simple Minds go back a long way with Australia and New Zealand; the thrill of performing for our fans down there never wears off.”
Tickets for all shows are available now.
