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Peter Gabriel: The Making of "I/O"

In August 2002 Peter Gabriel announced that he would be releasing another new album soon after UP. He mentioned that this work could come out some 18 months after Up. What really followed were a two-year tour and a HIT album. We are, however, still waiting for this new album that may be called I/O. At the end of 2005 there were even some hints at a possible Genesis reunion. We will keep adding the most recent news of the development of the album – however long that will take…







Peter Gabriel reveals work on new track: So Much (March 2020)



Peter Gabriel has reacted to an article in The Times and has revealed he is currently working on a song about getting older, called So Much. Read the full story in our news item here.







BBC Radio 6 interview - 11th April 2019

To promote his new film song LP Rated PG (see here), Peter Gabriel was interviewed on BBC Radio 6, which was aired yesterday.

Peter said about taking a longer break in recent years: "...my wife was ill for a while, so I'd slowed down and being a carer a good while, but now I'm very happy to say she's doing very well, so I'm getting back into music making and really loving it."

About the kind of stuff he is currently working on: "...and there's is about 50 ideas I'm working on - working in my usual snails pace – but there will be something coming out soon and all this time I had been working on new stuff so there should be ... I mean there is stuff that comes through for films, like the Snowden song and then you have Down To Earth, and there was a film about religion etc."

About a new record: "... I'm hoping to get the songs nailed by the end of this year and then open it up to the band and get a record out."

About the style and atmosphere of the new material: "Well I think that hose two songs, Show Yourself and the Snowden one, are slightly over direction but there's a wide bunch in there, so it depends on what makes the final cut. And I'm also trying to do some simple piano versions of things which I don't know being enough to make a whole record or not, but that's something I'm looking at."

In the meantime, This Is Party Man was released as a digital single, available on platforms such as iTunes or amazonUK.





Rated PG - film songs on one LP - February 2019



While we are still waiting for a new album to be announced, Peter has announced that he will be contributing a special release for the Record Store Day 2019 on 13th April. Rated PG is a collection of 10 film songs - some of them are unreleased, some will come in different versions and some of them have been available on soundtracks already. The LP will be a 12" Picture Disc, but obviously Peter will also offer a High Resolution Download. There are no plans for a CD release at this point. Check our Rated PG info page for more info.





Possible new album tracks - 25th June 2018



Ok, let's check what could be on the new album:

There are several tracks that were discussed in the past (see right collum), but most of them have most likely been taken off the list over time. Curtains was used for a video game, Courage was released as a digital single, so was I'm Amazing. Bol and Why Don't You Show Yourself were both used for films, but were not released on the soundtracks. These tracks may still be on the list (I Grieve was also on UP, despite its inclusion on the City Of Angels soundtrack years earlier), but we think it's not very realistic to expect them to be included on the new album. Same applies to The Veil and even Down To Earth.

So, what do we have? Peter performed Love Can Heal on the Rock Paper Scissors Tour, they also rehearsed the track Rock Paper Scissors and another one, Radio Everyone. All three will most likely be on the album. Another track, Here Comes Love, was revealed by the man himself a few years ago, but that could also be a working title, maybe for Love Can Heal? We don't know.

In 2014, Peter spoke about an organic dance record, which would make the inclusion of Love Can Heal less likely, as it is a ballad / slow track.

Then there are tracks like Baby Man, Daddy Long Legs and What Lies Ahead, performed live during previous tours. Another track, Birds, was rehearsed at least once during the 2014 tour. Then again, he recorded a version of John Lennon's Imagine which also hasn't been released yet. Thinking even further, he also got some OVO-tracks rerecorded as "real" Peter Gabriel tracks somewhere in his archives. And then there are Animal Nation (released on The Wild Thornberrys soundtrack in 2002) and Nocturnals (unreleased) from the UP sessions ...

Plenty of stuff to be discussed ...





Peter Gabriel hints finishing touches are being made for new album - 3rd March 2018



On his Facebook page, Peter Gabriel hints that his now album may finally be complete. "New album comping" it says ... "Comping" is usually a term for final mixing / editing stages. Let's hope there'll be something soon





Peter Gabriel releases new track The Veil - 8th September 2016



One of the tracks on the rehearsal list of the recent tour, The Veil, will be released digitally tomorrow. The track appears in the movie Snowden but is not part of the soundtrack.



Four new tracks rehearsed? - August 2016



It looks like Peter Gabriel has rehearsed four new tracks for the Rock Paper Scissors tour with Sting. The tour programme indicates that besides Love Can Heal, which was played every night, Peter also rehearsed the tracks The Veil, Radio Everywhere and Rock Paper Scissors. All tracks could be possible candidates for I/O - or whatever it will be called.



Peter Gabriel releases new song I'm Amazing - 17th June 2016



Peter Gabriel has caused quite an excitement when posting a short promo video without sound on 16th June 2016. Later that day, it became clear it is not the start of a campaign for his new album, but a release of a new song called I'm Amazing, which was inspired by the life and struggles of Muhammad Ali and Peter thought it was an appropriate time to release it, since the track was written and recorded years ago. Details can be found here. It's not very likely the track will appear on the new album - but who knows ...

A new track called Here Comes Love? - 28th October 2014

Today, Peter Gabriel has revealed a little detail on his Facebook page. The posting contains information about him being back in the studio, but more interestingly, a track name is revealed. Here Comes Love might be a song for the new album. At the same time, it indicates he was working on "version 18" of that song. So ...

Gabriel hints new album might not be called I/O - October 2014



In a recent interview with the american Rolling Stone magazine, Peter Gabriel revealed interesting stuff about his new album. It looks like he is working on "happy stuff" and recently he wrote songs that might end up on an "organic dance record". When asked if that was for I/O, he said he wasn't sure it will still be called I/O. On the other hand, since he just wrote new songs, that "go in the right direction", it looks like the whole I/O album is in question and he may be working on something else instead. But, in case of Peter, you never know until September ...





New interview about I/O - December 2013



Not only , but who cares? At the moment, there are 20 songs that Peter considers for I/O, he also wants to write further songs after christmas. Also, he'd like to rearrange some of the tracks already written. And when will I/O come out? ... this time it's March - no year has been mentioned. The source for this information is available in German here.







Rumours, rumours ... - September 2013



He's on tour and so more rumours appear. Further shows are planned for 2014 and some say there will also be a new rock album in 2014. An interesting detail: It looks like Peter is planning to release the So-outtake Courage as a single later this year. And he may have been working on that track as well.





Peter mentions I/O in Rolling Stone interview – September 2012



Shortly before they start rehearsing for the Back To Front tour 2012, Peter was interviewed by american Rolling Stone magazine. Peter mentiones I/O and confirmes that the title is still there and that it could be still called I/O. Nevertheless, a release has been put back at least until 2014, since Peter will take a year off in 2013. Read the full interview here.







Sagrada and Courage not on I/O - but on So25 – August 2012



Among the possible tracks for the next studio album (maybe called) I/O, Sagrada and Courage have been mentioned and rumoured every now and then. Now we can be sure that they will not be on the album, since they are now part of the So25 Deluxe Boxset (find all information about So25 in our website special here). This also confirms that both tracks have been recorded during the So-sessions.





Peter works on new songs Songs / new songs live 2012? - May 2012



In recent interviews and his most recent Moonclub-Video, Peter confirms that he he is working on new songs (finally) and it looks like yet another creative frame and restrictions he has created. A photo was posted on Twitter from his studio and we can conclude that he is working on something rhythmical. Also, Peter says that he wants to play some new songs during his upcoming Back To Front tour!







US-Tour done - but further New Blood shows announced - June 2011



Despite recent announcements, Peter says that he will be doing more New Blood shows, South America seems pretty much planned, Australia might be on the bill as well. It doesn't look like he's really willing to work on a new album ...





New Blood era is nearing its end - chance for I/O? - Frühjahr 2011



Peter said after the filming was done for the 3D-Blu-ray in London that he will put the New Blood cycle to rest after the summer shows in North America. After that, Peter wants to concentrate on new songs for his next rock record. Really ?







New Blood forever or I/O? – Spring 2011



Initially planned as a one off, Peter continues to tour with the New Blood concept. Although he seems willing to work on new songs, he keeps himselft busy with touring.





Another Tongue / Scratch My Back out in 2009? – July 2009



Peter reports via moonclub video from the Air studios where they are putting the finishing touches to Scratch My Back. He insinuated that the album could be released in 2009. At his gig at Charlton Park on July 25 he played The Boy In The Bubble and The Book Of Love, two songs that are supposed to be on Scratch My Back. More information about Scratch My Back here.







Another Tongue / Scratch My Back – December 2008



Gabriel wants to push on his cover album project, which will, according to current information, consist of two albums. One album has other artists cover Gabriel’s songs, while Gabriel covers their songs on the other album. Work on his new album I/O has therefore been put on hold again.



Tour in South America! – December 2008



Rumours that Peter Gabriel will play some shows in South America in 2009 have turned out to be true. There are also rumours that he may perform some new songs.



New song snippet in the Moon Club – February 03, 2007



Peter presents a new snippet of a song in the current Full Moon Club video (02/07). The soundbite sounds very alternative and ambitious, and by no means minimalistic or like a normal song as one could have surmised judging by previous statements about I/O. The fragment is a new development of the sound. Whether the song will be included in I/O is uncertain; it is unlikely that it will be on Big Blue Ball.



Big Blue Ball or I/O without a record contract? – January 23, 2007



According to a report in British magazine Uncut the new Gabriel album, Big Blue Ball or I/O, could be released in North America without the support of a major record company. It seems as if Gabriel wanted to release the album with Ingenious Media. These plans do not cover Europe as Gabriel still has a valid contract with EMI/Virgin there.



New album in 2007? – November 08, 2006



The Genesis press conference about the small reunion of all things brings the attention back to Peter’s new album. When asked about Peter’s involvement Mike Rutherford explained that Peter did not have the time because he would be releasing a new album in spring and might tour at the same time as Genesis. An album release in spring is to be doubted, though.



Big Blue Ball before I/O? – August/September 2006



The online version of the American Billboad magazine reports that EMI will release the 15-year-old project Big Blue Ball this year. In July Gabriel had introduced a song called Whole Thing/Whole World from the project in his Moon Club video. There were no plans for a tour, but Gabriel added that further projects of that style were possible depending on the success of Big Blue Ball. The upshot of this is that I/O is delayed and will be released late in 2007 at the earliest. Update: EMI has confirmed that Big Blue Ball will not be released in 2006.



I/O more minimalistic than Up? – November 2005



Peter Gabriel talks about I/O in Rolling Stone. It will be revolving around birth, death and the sex in between, so it is not too far away from Up. Gabriel reveals that he is recording the songs with a minimal crew that includes Richard Chapell and Ged Lynch, and also that he is producing the sessions himself. Peter thinks it possible that he presents the songs live before he finishes them in the studio. Such a putative tour would see him accompanied only by a bassist and a percussionist. Whatever influence that has on the release date of I/O…



P.O.V. DVD before I/O?– October 2005



The bonus material of the upcoming DVD Still Growing Up … Live And Unwrapped features No Self Control, filmed at the This Way Up tour. It is a teaser for the DVD version of P.O.V., a film that had been available only on video before. Since Peter once said he planned only one release per year this may have repercussions on the release of I/O.



Gabriel announces details about I/O songs – July 2005



UK magazine Mojo has an article about the current state of the album. Gabriel announces that a new version of Curtains will be recorded for I/O. Further songs include Wild (which is making the rounds as an instrumental), Amazing and Silver Screen. The album will come out “when it is finished, however long that is going to take”, said Peter. He will spend the rest of the year working on I/O.



Gabriel to focus on I/O– May 2005



On a promotional appearance for the 46664 gig in Tromso Peter explained that he had not planned any further live performances this year, as he wants to focus on his new studio album I/O.



Fire in Real World Studios – April 2005



During the work on his new album a fire broke out in the RealWorld studios and interrupted the work process. Peter announced this in his current Full Moon Club video (available on Peter Gabriel’s homepage).



New recording of Curtains on I/O? – November 01, 2004



Peter is honored with the Music Industry Trust Award. Guests at the ceremony included Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Richard Macphail. A promo double CD set was given out to the guests. One was a Gabriel CD and the other a Music Inspiration CD. The former includes a new recording of Curtains; it is rumoured that Gabriel has recorded a (this?) new version for I/O.



New song Baby Man introduced live – May 15, 2004



Peter premiered the new song Baby Man in Budapest. Baby Man is likely to be on I/O. After this, Baby Man was also played in Karlsruhe, Zurich, Brussels, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, London and Bregenz. Part of it can also be heard during the final credits of Anna Gabriel’s DVD A Family Portrait.



Instrumental of a new song (Wild) on a promo CD – October 2003



A rare promo called HIT – The Instrumentals has come into circulation to promote the greatest hits compilation HIT. One piece on the promo is a new song called Wild that is apparently considered for I/O (with vocals). The promo itself was given out for the music to be used as background music in radio and TV programmes.



Burn You Up, Burn You Down not to be on I/O– September 2003



A new greatest hits compilation has been announced. The compilation called HIT will contain a new version of Burn You Up, Burn You Down; in the UK the song will also be released as a single. This more or less strikes Burn You Up Burn You Down off the list of songs for I/O.



Animal Nation released on movie soundtrack – November 2002



The Wild Thornberrys soundtrack has been released in North America. Besides a new version of Shaking The Tree there is also a completely new song on the CD. Animal Nation was a candidate for Up, it was played live on the Growing Up tours in North America 2002 and Europe 2003, and it is a hot candidate for I/O.



Peter Gabriel: I/O to be released 18 months after UP– August 31, 2002



Peter Gabriel has held a press conference at the Könixxtreffen in Munich, Germany, which was also about his upcoming album Up. Peter stated that he has enough material for two albums and that the successor, I/O, will come out 18 months after Up, depending on his tour plans. Burn You Up Burn You Down was withdrawn from Up in a last-minute decision. It is now considered a candidate for I/O.



Enough material for two albums - May 2000



Peter Gabriel mentions during a promotion date for OVO that there could be another studio album besides Up because he has enough material for two albums. A couple of weeks later he even mentions several albums that could be released soon after Up.

