New Portishead album

18 Jan 05 - Portishead have revealed to 6 Music that they're writing a new album.

It'll be their first studio release since their self titled second record in 1997.

One half of the Bristol based trip-hoppers Geoff Barrow told us it's already well on the way to being written:

"We're actually into it as we speak. We took some time off for Christmas, but generally we're doing another record, yeah. We got together, sounds cool, so we're gonna go with it."

The record will follow their live return, at a charity gig with Massive Attack next month.

The two bands will headline a fundraiser for Oxfam's Tsumani appeal, held at the Bristol Academy on 19 February.

"We've never actually broken up, or parted - we just haven't released a record for a long time"  - Geoff Barrow

And Geoff Barrow says fans shouldn't be surprised that they've re-surfaced:

"We've just had our heads down really, we've never actually broken up, or parted, or whatever.

"So for us it just seems like, even though we haven't played for years, we still see each other and write - we just haven't released a record for a long time"

Portishead won't be playing any new material at the Tsunami gig though, as each act will play relatively short sets.

The gig will be unplugged with collaborations planned between acts.

As well as the two headliners, Robert Plant and The Coral are confirmed for the bill, with other acts due to be announced soon.

The event will also be webcast live, to make more money for the appeal.

For the latest acts and details of the webcast and campaign see: www.crisisinasia.com