We’ve got no record deal and we like it, say Duran Duran

Nearly 30 years after their debut album for EMI, Duran Duran are the latest 80s “megaband” to face the future without the comfort of a major label deal.

“We’re free from our Sony deal and we’re planning to release our next album ourselves,” Simon Le Bon told Beehive after presenting the best album prize to Paulo Nutini at the Ivor Novello awards.

Duran could follow Faithless by signing an exclusive deal with a retailer (Tesco in the dance band’s case) or release the album via download with a package giving loyal fans exclusive access to tickets and other goodies.

Le Bon is confident that their 13th album will have mass appeal. The singer said that the 70 million-selling group have worked with Nick Hodgson, the Kaiser Chiefs’ drumming-songwriter on two songs while Mark Ronson is producing the record. Ronson urged the four surviving original members to replicate their 80s Rio heyday in the studio.

Duran have adapted to the realities of being a “heritage” band in an era when the brand is more important than record sales. This week they played a lucrative gig for 5,000 delegates at the Sapphire Now technology conference in Frankfurt.

After the awards, Simon and Yasmin Le Bon paid a visit to the Audley pub in Mayfair which was bursting to the seams with stars. Triple Novello winner Lily Allen, Noel Gallagher, Paulo Nutini, La Roux, Neil Hannon, The Feeling and Ricky Wilson packed the pavement, leaving passers-by wondering if they were watching an episode of Stella Street.

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