Ray Davies: ‘New Kinks album is almost complete’

Ray Davies has almost competed The Kinks first new album in more than 25 years.
Speaking to WENN at Britain’s Association of Independent Music’s (AIM) Independent Music Awards on Tuesday (03Sep19), Ray revealed he and his brother Dave have been back in the studio and have plenty of songs ready for their first studio record together since 1993. Drummer Mick Avory is also on board for the first time since 1989’s UK Jive.
“We’re sorting through songs at the moment, picking the right ones, it’s one of the crucial things,” he said. “We’ve got an interesting collection but it’s trying to get it all to fit.”
Asked how things are between him and his sibling, with whom he has a famously fractious relationship, the rocker added: “We love each other but from afar, we’re not lovey-dovey. But in the studio it works.”
As for the album itself, Ray highlighted two songs that he’s really proud of that he wants to appear on the record.
“There are two that I really like; one is a touring song, one is an introspective one,” he explained. “One is called Far Eastern Holiday, which is about discovering the Far East, and the other one is kind of about TV.”
The musician also said the group may tour the record, as he wants to see how audiences respond to his new music.
“I love to tour,” he said. “I love discovering new material with an audience, even if the audience just wants to hear the old stuff.”
Ray presented Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry with the Outstanding Contribution to Music prize during the ceremony at London’s Roundhouse.