David

Elvis Costello is reportedly to release a new album for Record Store Day 2013. The album, as yet untitled, will be a collaboration between Costello and The Roots. According to an interview on NYU Local with Roots’ drummer Questlove, the collaboration grew out of Costello’s appearances on American chat show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, where The Roots are the house band.

Johnny Marr’s first proper solo album, The Messenger, is reviewed in the new issue of Uncut, dated March 2013, and out now, so it seemed time to revisit the guitarist’s impressive back catalogue with the man himself… From Uncut’s February 2008 issue (Take 129), Marr relives the making of records from The Smiths and The The to Electronic and Modest Mouse. Interview: Stephen Troussé _________________

Kevin Ayers, one of Britain’s most gifted and idiosyncratic singer-songwriters, has died at the age of 68. Ayers was born in Kent in 1944. Though he spent his childhood in Malaysia – moving there with his mother and British district officer stepfather – he returned to London at 12, only to be told to leave the city by a magistrate five years later following a drug bust. Ayers always maintained the bust that sent him into exile (and more importantly, into Canterbury) was a set-up. Whether it was or wasn’t, it was certainly an act of fate.

In the issue of Uncut dated December 2008 (Take 139), Kevin Ayers talked us through the making of some of his finest albums - including the Soft Machine’s debut, through his collaboration with Brian Eno, John Cale and Nico, his much-loved solo album Whatevershebringswesing, and more. Interview: John Robinson __________________

As part of our Mick Ronson feature from the issue of Uncut dated February 2013, Morrissey kindly agreed to answer our questions about working with Ronson on his 1992 album, Your Arsenal. Here, then, is the complete transcript of that interview.

Brighton's Great Escape have announced its first wave of acts for this year's festival, among them the Allah-ahs and Phosphorescent, who will be appearing on Uncut’s stage. Other acts announced include Unknown Mortal Orchestra, King Krule, Eddi Front and Tom Odell. A full list of this round of acts is bellow, but more will follow. We will announce more acts appearing on our stage in the April issue.

There’s been a lot of excitement around the office over the last couple of weeks, with the imminent arrival of the first David Bowie album since what seems like the end of rationing causing a certain giddiness in the Uncut ranks, followed by the actual release of the long-promised new My Bloody Valentine album, a mere 22 years after Loveless.

Tender, string-soaked twelfth from Canuck songwriter...

Brian Wilson has said that he doubts there will be another reunion of The Beach Boys. Wilson was speaking on Sunday (February 10) at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. When asked about the possibility of a reunion - following last year's 50th anniversary tour dates and the release of a brand new album 'That's Why God Made The Radio' - Wilson told the press room: "No, I don't think so. Doubt it."

CVB comeback, take two: A sun-cracked roots-rock homage to Northern California...