Gorillaz' Albarn working on album with iPad

Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn revealed in a new interview that he's creating a new album for the group on an iPad. The tablet design spurred him to make a quick follow up to Plastic Beach while on tour. The Blur founder didn't say how much of the creation involved Apple's tablet, but he was eager to mention that the effect on his music.

"I hope I'll be making the first record on an iPad," Albarn said. "I fell in love with my iPad as soon as I got it, so I've made a completely different kind of record."

The unnamed new album could be ready by the holidays. It comes at an unusual time for the band, as it just recently struck a deal with Microsoft to help promote Internet Explorer 9. Conflicting deals aren't unheard of in the industry but would have unusually close timing here.

Critics have pointed out the lack of expansion on the iPad as a limiting factor compare to a notebook, but a small number of artists and DJs have taken to performing music from the slate since its small size and multi-touch interface are potentially more intuitive than conventional electronic music hardware. Professional companies such as Korg have begun releasing apps designed to either replicate traditional equipment in a smaller space or else as a unique tool specific to the tablet.

The most notable example of an iPad musician so far has been Rana June Sobhany, who uses iPads for her Destroy the Silence music project (iTunes) and live DJ sessions. One is slated to take place at 6PM Friday at the West 14th Street Apple Store in Manhattan. [via Pitchfork]

By Electronista Staff

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industry, Microsoft, audio, Korg, Apple, iPad