Former Smashing Pumpkins Guitarist James Iha Readies Solo Album

2012-06-29

Story by Charles Ken

Ex-Smashing Pumpkins six-stringer says now is the right time to release his new solo disc

While Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins are busy with the release of their new album, “Oceania,” which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart this week, former Pumpkins guitarist James Iha also has some musical activity in the works. Iha has announced that he will release his first solo album in 14 years, “Look to the Sky,” in September. The guitarist, who has kept plenty busy touring with Maynard James Keenan-fronted rockers A Perfect Circle, says he believes now is the right time to release a follow-up to his 1998 debut solo set, “Let It Come Down.”

“I just viewed a solo record as something that, when I thought it was good, then I would look around and see what’s out there and find a label,” Iha explained to Rolling Stone. “It just took a lot longer than I thought it would.”

Iha went on to give a few details about the upcoming release and said that he plans to bring a variety of genres to the album. “My first record was definitely more on the quieter acoustic side, more singer-songwriter,” he reveals. “With this record, I tried to make it more of a variety. There’s a little bit of rock stuff, there’s quieter acoustic stuff, there’s more new wave-y pop stuff.”

“Look to the Sky” will hit stores and online outlets on September 18, and fans can stream the first single from the release, “To Who Knows Where,” early via Rolling Stone’s official site.

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Charles Ken

Meet the expert - Charles Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University where he studied writing and history. He's a longtime music buff and covers classic rock for Audio Ink Radio. Contact him at ken@audioinkradio.com.