Coldplay V's Stipe

Chris Martin Reveals New Album Details

31 August 2008 - Yesterday two of the biggest bands in the world went head to head on BBC 6music as Coldplay chatted to Michael Stipe live in the studio with Steve Lamacq.

Following reports that Coldplay planned to release a record this year it fell on Stipe to get to the bottom of the rumours: “Is it true?” he asked. To which Martin replied:

“We’re going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospects March and we’re going to release an album next December to end the decade.”

Martin then turned to Will Champion and asked: “Is it [the EP] called Prospects March or Prospects Song?” Before adding: “Lets ask Michael Stipe!”

“We’re going to put an EP out at Christmas called Prospects March and we’re going to release an album next December to end the decade.” Chris Martin - Coldplay

Stipe preferred Prospects March and the band agreed.

This EP will come only months after Coldplay's 4 ^th studio album Viva La Vida which was released in June this year. But as previously reported, the band recorded so much material during the writing of Viva La Vida they had more than enough for one album.

Both REM and Coldplay were gearing up for shows in London last night (Saturday 30 ^th August). Coldplay played the BBC Radio Theatre and REM closed their show at the Twickenham Stadium.

The two acts have been friends for years and Stipe gave a full endorsement of Coldplay’s music: “For me, having been around for 28 years, doing this, I’m thrilled when a band like Coldplay come along," he said and then continued gushing:

"I think great! Here are some contemporaries I respect what they do and they’re really smart fun people great people to be around and they’re very close friends.”

You can listen again to the interview by clicking here


Elizabeth Alker