7 Worlds Collide

The Sun Came Out album release date

We’re pleased to announce that “The Sun Came Out”, the 7 Worlds Collide double album, will be released through Columbia Records in the UK on 31st August. Release dates for other territories are 31 August (New Zealand), 4 September (Australia) and 29 September (USA), all through Sony.

This project has seen a return of familiar faces from the first 7 Worlds Collide album in 2001, such as Johnny Marr, Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway of Radiohead but this album, first and foremost presents the listener with new songs rather than interpretations of old favourites. ‘The Sun Came Out’ also features a whole host of new guest talents such as KT Tunstall and Wilco and heart stopping firsts, including Phil Selway's songwriting and vocal debut as well as dream collaborations such as those between Johnny Marr and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy; and KT Tunstall and Neil Finn. Recorded in just three weeks, beneficiaries of this album will be Oxfam - as well as music lovers worldwide.

At the heart of the record is Neil Finn. His enthusiasm and drive persuaded the likes of celebrated producer Jim Scott, Lisa Germano, Johnny Marr and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Pat Sansone, John Stirratt and Glenn Kotche (amongst others) to spend their Christmas holiday in New Zealand and even interrupted KT Tunstall’s honeymoon in the process. The setting had its advantages though, as Neil notes, if the worst came to the worst the assembled cast could write it off as a holiday. Thankfully, the results mean that all those involved got both a holiday in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes and created some of the best music you will hear all year.

With families welcome, the studio became a constant whirl of creativity and energy throughout the three weeks allocated to create the record. Johnny Marr returned from a run on the beach with the basis of ‘Too Blue’, where Jeff Tweedy was waiting to add his talents; KT Tunstall stopped Neil retiring to his bed to complete ‘Hazel Black’; a wandering Johnny Marr added a chorus melody to Liam Finn’s ‘Red Wine Bottle’; Ed O’Brien fashioned ‘Bodhisattva Blues’ from a Tibetan chant. In this atmosphere, anything was possible and Neil’s wife Sharon found herself laying down her debut vocal on ‘Little By Little’ whilst Phil Selway also took his vocal bow and unveiled a hitherto unknown songwriting talent with his solo turn ‘The Ties That Bind Us’ in one take.

From Neil’s original doubts over the idea, “I thought, what is this? Is it just an ego thing" came a double album of astounding collaborations for the listener and amazing memories for all those concerned in the recording. At the centre of it all stands Neil Finn, too humble to take the glory himself, it is left to KT Tunstall to give the credit due to the man who made this happen: “It’s Neil. It all comes from him. There’s something about him that made everyone open up creatively”.

Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International said: "7 Worlds Collide is a great project - I hope The Sun Came Out is a huge success. Not just because it's a unique musical experience but because each CD sold will make a difference - raising money to fund Oxfam's work to fight poverty."

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7 Wolds Collide - KT Tunstal & Johnny Marr talk about Oxfam

7 Worlds Collide Concert On The Corner


7 Worlds Collide - You get Through

7 Worlds Collide - A sneak peak into the studio

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