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Ashcroft played a solo gig on 25 August 2008 as part of the Last Days of Summer Festival in Buckingham.[39] The Verve broke up for a third time sometime between the last rehearsals in late 2008 and the summer of 2009. It was announced in August 2009 by a band's friend. At that time, Ashcroft was contractually obligated to record another album for Parlophone.[40] A b-side compilation was considered a possibility, as Ashcroft's team asked the fans through his site about their feelings on such an album, but it's now very unlikely. In December 2009, Ashcroft contributed the lead soundtrack song for the documentary The Journey.[41] A video of the song was posted at Ashcroft's site.[42] Also, through his blog BRAIN, he stated that he would release a new album in 2010. Sources revealed he worked on a number of new songs in New York, Los Angeles and London with producer No I.D., who Ashcroft sought after because he liked his work in the Jay-Z song "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" and read an interview where he states how many producers destroy records to boost sales.[43] In 2010, Ashcroft formed a new band called RPA & The United Nations of Sound, who released a promo single, "Are You Ready?", from their new album.[44] The album United Nations of Sound (former working title Redemption)[44] was released on Parlophone on 19 July 2010;[45] "Born Again", the first proper single from the album, was released on the same day.[46] The full album leaked on 15 July and the NME started streaming the album the following day. The new sound seems to emulate many of Richard's influences described over the years in interviews and seems to close a circle for his solo career. Strings, beats, rock-guitar-riffs, voice-loops, ballads and heroic-choir-anthems are the core of the album's sound with Ashcroft's craft for pop tunes and unique melody-making. Also found in the songs are the ever-present spiritual lyrics for Richard, although here in fuller form. On 15 October 2010, Ashcroft released through his website a second fanclub-only track, "Here We Go Again". On the same day the song "Are You Ready?" was released as the first official single from the new album in the United States.[47][non-primary source needed] During the same month Ashcroft had signed with the record company Razor & Tie in the United States. The radio edit of "Are You Ready?" is available for free on the US version of Ashcroft's website. The album United Nations of Sound was released across the Atlantic on 22 March 2011 under the name "Richard Ashcroft". The lead single "Are You Ready?" was featured over the closing credits of the film The Adjustment Bureau in March 2011, along with the new song "Future's Bright", written and performed specifically for the film's opening by Ashcroft and ten-time Oscar-nominated composer Thomas Newman.[48] For the US release of "Are You Ready?", Ashcroft and Big Life Management commissioned Giorgio Testi for the promo – created out of live footage from a show at Shepherd's Bush Empire. The video premiered on 7 February on the official website of Pulse Films, the production company.[49] On 1 March the song "Future's Bright" was premiered on Stereogum.[50] On the official website of the movie The Adjustment Bureau there is also a video created for the song by director George Nolfi.[51] After six years' absence, Ashcroft released his comeback fifth studio album, These People, in May 2016. The album received largely positive reviews from music critics. The album was followed by 2016 UK and Europe tour, an abbreviated North American tour, and—for the first time in Ashcroft's career—festival dates in Latin America. In January 2018, it was confirmed that in June 2018, Ashcroft would be supporting Liam Gallagher at his two concerts in Malahide Castle and Gardens in Dublin and Belsonic at Ormeau Park in Belfast.[52] In March 2018, it was announced that Ashcroft would tour with Gallagher in North America in May 2018.[53] On 11 June 2018, it was announced that Ashcroft would support Gallagher at his show at Lancashire County Cricket Club on 18 August 2018.[54] In August 2018, Ashcroft announced his sixth solo album, Natural Rebel, which was released on 19 October, preceded by the single "Surprised By The Joy" in September and subsequent teasers "Born To Be Strangers" and "That's When I Feel It." The LP debuted at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart, its highest position.[55] On 19 February 2021, he released a cover of John Lennon's "Bring On the Lucie (Freda Peeple)"[56][57] (track 5 on Lennon's 1973 album Mind Games). On 29 October that year, he released his sixth album, Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1.[58] It features acoustic versions of Ashcroft's songs with The Verve and his solo career.[59] The album debuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, its peak position.[60] Personal life[edit] Ashcroft is married to Kate Radley, a former keyboardist of Spiritualized.[61] They married in 1995 and it was years before it was publicly revealed that the pair had married. Together, they have two sons. The family lives in Taynton in Gloucestershire and Richmond in London.[19] Ashcroft and Radley have collaborated professionally throughout their marriage and toured together with the band Coldplay in 2006.[62] Ashcroft is a Manchester United fan, and regularly attends matches.[63] He is good friends with the band Oasis's Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher and Coldplay's Chris Martin. For a long time the Gallagher brothers have expressed great respect for Ashcroft, with Noel Gallagher fondly nicknaming Ashcroft 'Captain Rock'. The Oasis track "Cast No Shadow", from the successful 1995 album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? is dedicated to him, possibly as a response to Ashcroft having dedicated the title track of A Northern Soul to Noel Gallagher.[64] Ashcroft also provided backing vocals on the Oasis song "All Around the World" in 1997, for Oasis' Be Here Now. In a 2006 interview, Ashcroft mentioned taking Prozac to help him with clinical depression, but said that it did not help, referring to the pills as "very, very synthetic." Ashcroft has said that he's always been "a depressive, someone who suffers from depression", and that music and creativity help him cope with his illness.[65] In July 2021, Ashcroft pulled out of the headline slot at Sheffield's Tramlines Festival after it became part of the UK government's pilot events programme.[66] Songwriting style and artistic influences[edit] Ashcroft has a sustained interest for the psychological and affectual influence music holds, stating, "A great pop song is as powerful as the best piece of poetry you have ever read and the melody can take you to another place."[67] Ashcroft is well known for using string instrumentation in his songs. He considers it part of his "palette" and draws inspiration from such composers as Ennio Morricone, John Barry, and John Williams.[31] A major influence on Ashcroft from childhood to adulthood has been The Beatles. Ashcroft recalls two out of the three LPs his family owned when he was a child were the 1966 album Revolver, and the Beatles compilation album 1967–1970. He also recalls in his teens he used to watch an "unauthorised" video of the band on a loop. He has expressed a high regard for George Harrison's work within the Beatles and solo work, as well as praise for his moral ideals and distaste for the fake nature of the music industry.[68] Ashcroft has listed The Smiths as a major influence in his teens, listing the album Hatful of Hollow and the song 'How Soon is Now' as having a profound impact on him.[1] Ashcroft also holds a deep interest for Cinema, when he was thirteen years of age, he was shown the Jean-Luc Godard film "1+1", which showed the Rolling Stones creating a song. Ashcroft mentions this event as a turning point in his life view.[1] In terms of literature, Ashcroft has been vastly influenced by the poet/polymath William Blake. He has also mentioned poet Phillip Larkin and A.E. Housman as some of his favorite poets.[69] "Bittersweet Symphony" legal dispute[edit] A legal dispute was held over Ashcroft's song, "Bitter Sweet Symphony", on which Ashcroft was the sole band member to share a co-writing credit.[2] The song uses a sample of Andrew Oldham Orchestra's recording of The Rolling Stones' 1965 song "The Last Time". The Verve had negotiated this legally; however, the Rolling Stones' record company successfully sued and argued that they had used "too much." The Verve was subsequently forced to give ABKCO 100 percent of the royalties[20] from "Bitter Sweet Symphony", and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were given songwriting credits along with Ashcroft.[2] Against Ashcroft's wishes, the song was used in a commercial advertisement, from this he received $175,000, but donated it all to charity despite it being the only revenue he had ever received from the song.[70] On 23 May 2019, Ashcroft announced that Jagger and Richards had signed over the rights to him, giving him sole writing credit and all subsequent royalties.[71][72] Awards and nominations[edit] Year Awards Work Category Result 1998 Ivor Novello Awards Himself Songwriter of the Year Won Denmark GAFFA Awards Best Foreign Songwriter[73] Nominated 2000 Mercury Prize Alone with Everybody Album of the Year Nominated NME Awards Himself Best Solo Artist Nominated 2006 Nominated 2011 UK Music Video Awards Live at Shepherds Bush Empire Best Live Music Coverage Nominated 2017 NME Awards Himself Best British Male Nominated 2019 Global Awards Best Indie Nominated Ivor Novello Awards Outstanding Contribution to British Music Won Discography[edit] Albums[edit] List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications UK[74] AUS[75] AUT[76] FRA[77] GER[78] ITA[79] IRL[80] NL[81] SWI[82] US[83] Alone with Everybody Released: 26 June 2000 Label: Hut Formats: LP, CD, cassette, download 1 10 18 28 10 4 5 41 39 127 BPI: Platinum[84] Human Conditions Released: 21 October 2002 Label: Hut Formats: LP, CD, cassette, download 3 70 48 67 14 24 11 — 51 — BPI: Gold[84] Keys to the World Released: 23 January 2006 Label: Parlophone Formats: CD, download 2 54 7 78 6 11 6 49 7 — BPI: Platinum[84] IRMA: Gold[85] These People Released: 20 May 2016 Label: Righteous Phonographic Association, Cooking Vinyl, Harvest Formats: LP, CD, download 3 — 70 134 51 34 17 92 32 — BPI: Silver[84] Natural Rebel Released: 19 October 2018 Label: Righteous Phonographic Association, BMG Formats: LP, CD, cassette, download 4 — 71 — 82 42 18 — 47 — Acoustic Hymns Vol 1 Release: 29 October 2021 Label: Righteous Phonographic Association, BMG Formats: LP, CD, cassette, download 2 — 64 194 37 — 23 — 39 — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. Project album[edit] List of project studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions UK[74] AUT[76] GER[78] SWI[82] United Nations of Sound[A] Released: 19 July 2010 Label: Parlophone Formats: LP, CD, download 20 63 49 50 Extended plays[edit] List of extended plays Title EP details Live from London Released: 24 April 2006 Format: Download Rare Vibration/Guided Halls Released: 19 October 2018 Format: CD (HMV's exclusive market only) Singles[edit] List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album UK[74] AUT[76] BEL(WA)[86] CAN[87] GER[78] ITA[79] IRL[80] NL[81] NZ[88] SWI[82] "A Song for the Lovers" 2000 3 — — 6 82 9 11 83 42 78 Alone with Everybody "Money to Burn" 17 — — — — — 38 — — — "C'mon People (We're Making It Now)" 21 — — — 82 — — — — — "Check the Meaning" 2002 11 — — 21 94 13 19 — — — Human Conditions "Science of Silence" 2003 14 — — — — 31 — — — — "Buy It in Bottles" 26 — — — — — — — — — "Break the Night with Colour" 2006 3 17 48 — 45 3 10 90 — 55 Keys to the World "Music Is Power" 20 — — — — 42 — — — — "Words Just Get in the Way" 40 — — — — — — — — — "Why Not Nothing?" / "Sweet Brother Malcolm"[B] — — — — — — — — — — "Born Again"[A] 2010 — — — — — — — — — — United Nations of Sound "Are You Ready?"[A] — — — — — — — — — — "This Is How It Feels" 2016 42 — — — — 89 — — — — These People "Hold On" — — — — — — — — — — "They Don't Own Me" — — — — — 178 — — — — "Out of My Body" — — — — — — — — — — "These People" — — — — — — — — — — "Surprised by the Joy" 2018 53 — — 32 — 71 — — — — Natural Rebel "Born to Be Strangers"[89] — — — 66 — 23 44 — — — "That's When I Feel It" — — — — — — — — — — "Bring On the Lucie (Freda Peeple)"[56] 2021 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Other releases[edit] List of singles, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "The Journey"[C] 2009 non-album single "Are You Ready?"[D] 2010 United Nations of Sound "Future's Bright"[E] 2011 movie soundtrack Guest appearances[edit] List of guest appearances, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album UK[90] IRL[91] "Lonely Soul" (UNKLE, with Ashcroft on vocals) 1998 — — Psyence Fiction "The Test" (The Chemical Brothers, with Ashcroft on vocals) 2002 14 36 Come with Us "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. .mw-parser-output .refbegin{margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul li{list-style:none}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{padding-left:1.6em;text-indent:-1.6em}}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%}} Notes A ^ United Nations of Sound and the singles taken from it were released under Ashcroft's pseudonym "RPA & The United Nations of Sound". B ^ "Why Not Nothing?" / "Sweet Brother Malcolm" was a limited 7" release. C ^ "The Journey" was a charity single for Helen Bamber Foundation. D ^ "Are You Ready?" was a released as a limited edition UK promo CD and vinyl. E ^ "Future's Bright?", Richard Ashcroft teamed up with the American film score composer Thomas Newman to pen this song for the opening credits of the 2011 movie, The Adjustment Bureau. Notes[edit] .mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman} ^ The band started as a jam-based band, however, McCabe has clarified that Ashcroft was the one who created the lyrics. References[edit] ^ a b c d e f g .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}Baker, Trevor (21 August 2008). Richard Ashcroft: The Verve, Burning Money & the Human Condition. Music Press Books. ISBN 978-1906191023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) ^ a b c Urban Hymns sleevenotes ^ Leonardpublished, Michael (11 November 2016). "Nick McCabe on The Verve's studio battles, egos and tonal exploration". MusicRadar. Retrieved 1 June 2024. ^ "The best-selling albums of all time on the Official UK Chart". Official Charts. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2024. ^ "BBC News | Entertainment | Radiohead make double swoop". News.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2024. ^ Maine, Samantha (20 December 2018). "Richard Ashcroft on why he's 'left things unsaid' about The Verve's split". NME. Retrieved 4 June 2024. ^ "RICHARD ASHCROFT". Official Charts. 15 April 2000. Retrieved 30 May 2024. ^ "RICHARD ASHCROFT". Official Charts. 15 April 2000. Retrieved 5 June 2024. ^ "UMPG signs Richard Ashcroft to global admin deal". Universal Music Publishing. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2024. ^ Michaels, Sean (12 August 2009). "The Verve split up – for the third time". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 June 2024. ^ "Richard Ashcroft | The Official Website". richardashcroft.com. Retrieved 31 May 2024. ^ "Richard Ashcroft". Richard Ashcroft. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016. ^ Savage, Mark (23 May 2019). "The Bittersweet Symphony dispute is over". BBC. ^ "BBC News | UK | Profile: The Verve claim their place in pop history". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2024. ^ "Richard Ashcroft 'Married' To Chris Martin". Gigwise. 19 March 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2013. ^ a b "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". Musicsaves.org. Retrieved 18 January 2012. ^ "A Breed Apart". Retrieved 1 June 2024. ^ "The News of the World – We're Not for Teenyboppers". Retrieved 1 June 2024. ^ a b "Richard Ashcroft: 'I wouldn't trade what Coldplay have achieved for any of my songs'". The Guardian. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2020. ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Feature: Richard Ashcroft Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ "College Days". The Guardian. London. 25 June 2002. Retrieved 22 May 2010. ^ a b c "News: Ashcroft is the man with the power". M.E.N. Media. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ "We're Not for Teenyboppers". Musicsaves.org. Retrieved 18 January 2012. ^ "Richard Ashcroft feels pride and anger at 'Mad Richard' tag". 16 April 2023. ^ "Richard Ashcroft: Grand designs". The Independent. London. 4 April 2003. Archived from the original on 21 April 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2010. ^ "Radiohead make double swoop". BBC News. 29 May 1998. Retrieved 22 May 2010. ^ "Bittersweet Triumph". Musicsaves.org. Retrieved 18 January 2012. ^ Michaels, Sean (12 August 2009). "The Verve split up – for the third time". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 September 2024. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Richard Ashcroft at OfficialCharts.com". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ "NME Album Reviews – Alone With Everybody". NME. 20 June 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2012. ^ a b c d e f Stevenson, Jane. "Ashcroft talks Verve and Philosophy". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ Al-amin, Jamilia (7 March 2003). "News: Ashcroft reveals single details". M.E.N. Media. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ [1][dead link‍] ^ Bourne, Diane (19 October 2005). "News: No go for Richard at JJB". M.E.N. Media. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ Nick Bowden. "Richard Ashcroft at Lancashire County Cricket Club – 8/10". BBC Manchester Reviews. Retrieved 19 June 2006. ^ a b Walters, Sarah (23 November 2006). "News: Ashcroft's Arena ending". M.E.N. Media. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ "News: RICHARD ASHCROFT – ASHCROFT'S SOCCER ANTHEM". Contactmusic.com Ltd. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ "Why Not Nothing? / Sweet Brother Malcolm AA side 7-inch single". Contact Music. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2009. ^ "News: Last Days of Summer picture gallery". Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2009. ^ Graff, Gary.."The Verve to Continue on After Reunion Album. Billboard. 20 August 2008. ^ Shoard, Catherine (18 December 2009). "Emma Thompson: 'Chances are you'll know somebody who pays for sex'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 May 2010. ^ "Dear All. I have been fortunate enough to work on a very special project..." Richard Ashcroft official website. 18 December 2009. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2010. ^