TheVine spoke to the Shins frontman James Mercer today.
In between discussing the band's new line-up, the possibility of a new Broken Bells record, and the distinct chance that he's written a crossover song with new Shins tune 'It's Only Life', Mercer dropped a hint that the Shins version 0.2 might have Australia in their sights.
"Yes, we will," said Mercer, when asked if the band will tour here soon. "I just don’t know when." He then added a detail that will prick the ears of anyone observing their credit limit towards the end of July. "I know there was talk about
Splendour in the Grass, but that’s like, pencilled into my calendar.
It’s not official. So it would be trying to be something together
around there, I suppose."
TheVine caught the "new" Shins playing in New York last year. We
said then that Mercer seemed pretty happy with the new line-up: "It was a fun, loose and laid-back end to a show that always felt as such. And despite his varied projects over the last few years it feels like none suit Mercer more than being front and centre of the Shins. Judging by his Cheshire-cat grin all night, he seems to agree."
The Shins new album
Port of Morrow is out mid-March. And as
reported, Splendour in the Grass will be moving back to Byron Bay this year. The dates for the 2012 event are Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July.
Stay tuned for our full interview with The Shins coming soon on TheVine, and watch Mercer playing a solo version of 'It's Only Life' below.
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