Richard had previously expressed his interested in the Stones making a new album and it now appears he will get his wish. He tells the Quietus, "I was at a meeting with the lads three or four days ago where everybody said, 'Yes! We must go in the studio!'"

The band has not yet set a timetable to work on the album, Richards reveals. They have a South American tour scheduled for early next year. He had the following to say in the interview about the timing, "Where or when I can't yet say, but in the near future.

"At last, I've got the boys wanting to get into the studio. They all have to want to do it at the same time. That's the thing with guys: You can't drag 'em in at gunpoint. But I've got the message that they want to. I'm hopeful, y'know?"

He then added in a follow-up interview, "I would say off the top of my head after the South American tour in February. But you never know. We might try to get into the studio before Christmas. I think that's sort of doubtful, with Christmas being Christmas, all that buildup. But at the same time, it's definitely in the works."