Blur recorded a new demo tape in Hong Kong

Damon Albarn has surprised Blur fans yet again. The frontman announced during Blur's first Hong Kong gig (May 6th 2013) that the band "will try to record a new record" in a week-long period during their stay in the vibrant city, and the news (captured in our exclusive video) had taken the world by storm. 

The Blur forums have been given a revamp, Damon's been spotted abroad the Hong Kong MTR train, Graham Coxon was seen in the city's "Soho" Lan Kwai Fong, plus Dave's been tweeting meticulously about Hong Kong. Something's definitely up. 

A few days ago, a Hong Kong music sharing page "Zenegeist" shared a photo of a new Blur demo in their official Facebook page. The photo has the text "Front of House" written in front, as well as some technical details of the brand new demo tape. 

New Blur demo (Facebook.com/zenegeist) 

The original post message was in Chinese: 剛才在Avon 樓下碰到blur 的roadie Steve . Steve 透露樂隊已完成在港的錄音工作，並已錄下數首demo. 曲風仍然很blur 和帶有lofi 感覺。 Blur 將會在明天離港

The text can be translated into "We just bumped into Blur at Avon and met their roadie Steve. Steve revealed that the band had completed their recordings in Hong Kong, and produced a few new demo tracks. Blur's new demos still retain the original 'Blur' sound and has a very low-fi feel. Blur will leave Hong Kong tomorrow." 

As with many news recently, this is speculation as to whether the information is legitimate or not. The picture seems real albeit the weight, and Damon Albarn indeed announced in front of thousands of live audiences in Hong Kong that they were going to try making new material last week. However, as some fans pointed out, the item in the picture weights 83kg - impossible for a small demo tape.

Graham Coxon also posted a picture of biscuits on what seems like studio equipment on Twitter, presumably from the studio they hired in Hong Kong after the announcement.

Biscuits on studio equipment - speculations on Blur's new recordings 2013

It could very well be that Blur will polish up these demo after their tour, or perhaps finally gather all their previous recordings from the old William Orbit sessions and release a new Blur album. Or perhaps the band will choose not to use the new tracks they recorded in Hong Kong this week. Or, will Damon Albarn change his mind again and decide to drop Blur after the world tour?

Is the demo tape real?
	Yes - I believe it's real
	Nope - fake / photoshopped
	Don't know / Maybe
	Don't care - it's something new

Amidst rumours of a new album, new Blur EP and new tour venues for the latter part of the year, anything can happen.

One thing's for sure - the recent Blur news are all pointing to a positive direction, and the band's prospects for releasing a new album are looking rather positive.

Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE

Blur @ Coachella- video and image gallery HERE 

Damon Albarn- "We are going to try to record a new album" HERE

Blur Europe Tour News  HERE

Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

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Blur's Alex James directs and produces new track for Virgin Media Shorts (video)

For the premier of the Virgin Media Shorts short film competition, Alex James, bassist and cheese-maker from Blur directed, scored, wrote and acted in his very own short film, all under the main motif of the contest- "Life is Short". For the film, Alex James was given a sponsored Nikon D5200 and asked to let his creative juices spill.

The Blur bassist's final film is a mere 2.20 minutes long, but manages to include an exclusive, new Alex James song titled "Superordinator". The brand new track is the background music to the short film and will definitely keep Blur fans hoping for new sounds satisfied.

Scene from Alex James's directing debut for the Virgin Media Shorts competition

Alex's film, titled "Slice of Life" was filmed in Los Angeles, USA, and features Alex James dancing to the beat, shaking his head, brushing his teeth and walking around the sunny Los Angeles streets.

The film highlights that colorful, high-resolution scenes can be created using a normal-priced DSLR camera. Additionally, the background track also sounds somewhat like an early Blur demo . It also has a surprise ending which you can find out by scrolling down and watching the full film.

Watch: "Slice of Life" - a film by Alex James 

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Happy Birthday Dave Rowntree - Blur drummer turns 49!

David Alexander De Horne Rowntree, a.k.a Dave Rowntree (born on May 8th 1964, aged 49) from Blur, is an English musician and the drummer of Blur. He is also a registered solicitor and political activist, and has an interest in computer animation and graphic design. Though known as the "quiet one" in Blur, Dave regularly updates his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook stream, even posting pictures straight from the backstage of Blur concerts.

Tweet Dave a birthday greeting at @DaveRowntree 

Blur are currently on a week-long visit to Hong Kong, where they played an energetic concert at the Asia World Expo arena.

BLUR FACT: Did you know- Dave Rowntree is the oldest member of Blur, being 3 years older than Blur frontman Damon Albarn and guitarist Graham Coxon (both born in 1969). He's 4 years older than bassist Alex James, who is a year younger than Damon and Graham.

Happy 49th Birthday Dave!

Check out the top Dave Rowntree quotes of all time HERE.

Damon Albarn: "We are recording a new Blur album" 2013

Blur confirms rumours to release a new album 

Blur announces firm plans to record a new album during their Hong Kong concert on May 5th 2013. Not only a new single or a track, but a new album is next up for Blur. 

Yes- it is true , Blur will be recording a new album for release soon and will be starting the recording process this week. We heard it straight from the horse's mouth, live from the Blur covert in Hong Kong's Asia World Expo this evening as Damon announced it to the Hong Kong audience.

"It's a secret" said Damon Albarn before announcing the news to the live audience. The Blur frontman seemed relaxed and excited at the prospects of working with Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree for a new Blur album. 

"We were supposed to play in Taiwan and Japan next week, but due to unforeseen circumstances we weren't able to go there" he said, "so we have a week in Hong Kong, so we thought it would be a good time to try and record another record". 

It looks as if they are planning to use the week in town to record and plan the new Blur album. If that's so, then Blur may have plans to tour the city and gain inspiration from the aesthetic views of the city's skyline for new Blur songs. 

Hong Kong fans heard it live - Blur are working on a new record for 2014/2015 release

This news confirms strong rumours that Blur are recording a new album after their massive 2013 world tour, which brings them to cities such as Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Istanbul and other American,  European and Asian destinations around the world. Check out a full list of tour dates and venues from our site. 

Once again, Blur are definitely recording a new album and if it successfully gets released, will  be releasing new singles , new songs, new Blur B-sides and new albums after their current tour. 2014 is looking to be a fruitful year, with many new Blur songs coming your way if Damon keeps to his word. 

Blur's reunion has been a surprise - a very pleasant surprise for the long time fans and devotees. Fans who were in Hong Kong had it lucky since this is the first time the band officially confirmed the new album rumours, ending months of speculations. Perhaps the new Blur album will sound like completely different, unexpected and experimental; or will it be centered around rock and pop ? Who knows.

All we know is that - as Damon Albarn chants : it really really really could (and did) happen. 

Exclusive Blur news from Blurballs.com, live from the Hong Kong gig.