In The Bag: James Blackshaw - The Glass Bead Game

In customary quick-smart manner, guitarist extaordinare (and increasingly so on paino too) James Blackshaw discusses his new record

What's it called? The Glass Bead Game

Where, when and with whom was it recorded? It was recorded by my good friend John Hannon, who's recorded all my solo albums so far, at his "No Recording" studio on a farm in Rayleigh, Essex in November 2008.

What can we expect? It's a lot richer and fuller sounding: more strings (cello and violin courtesy of Joolie Wood and John Contreras of Current 93/Baby Dee/Simon Finn fame), organ, clarinet and vocals from Lavinia Blackwall of Directing Hand/Trembling Bells. There's two much more fully realised piano-based compostions too. I've been practicing! All in all, it's just the next natural step, I think, no huge surprises but certainly a few little ones and the songs are stronger. It's also quite a bit more melancholic, I think.

When's it due out? May 2009 on Young God Records. God willing.

When will it leak!? Haha, hopefully never! I mean, while I'm sure there are people who are keen to hear it, I'm not a big band or anything - you know, like Animal Collective. Or U2. So I would think there's less risk of that.

In Three Ragged Words? Fragile mind, amplified.