Robert Plant is ready to start writing new material with Band of Joy. Though the group have focused on performing cover versions of traditional songs and compositions by artists such as Richard Thompson, Townes Van Zandt and the indie rock band Low, Plant told the Pulse of Radio that he feels they are ready to write their own tunes.

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The singer explained that while he was happy to celebrate other songwriters and acknowledged a tradition of performers who do not write their own material, he felt compelled to return to songwriting in the near future. The Band of Joy's debut album from last year included one original song, "Central Two-O-Nine," which was composed by Plant and the group's guitarist Buddy Miller.

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Plant did not set a timetable for his plans to pen new material with the Band of Joy. The ensemble, which presently includes vocalist Patty Griffin, bassist Byron House and drummer Marco Giovino, is right now in the middle of a North American tour. Though the group have yet to debut new material at recent dates, they have been playing a number of Plant's Led Zeppelin classics including "Misty Mountain Hop," "Rock and Roll," "Tangerine," "Houses of the Holy" and "Ramble On," as well as the Grateful Dead number "And We Bid You Goodnight."

Robert Plant to write original material with Band of Joy [Guardian UK]

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