David Gilmour confirmed Pink Floyd’s recent return to action was a “one-time” event and doesn’t mean there will be more new activity to follow.

This week, the group released the single “Hey, Hey, Rise Up” in support of Ukraine against the current Russian invasion. Based on a folk song and featuring vocals from Ukrainian singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk, it’s Floyd’s first new music since 1994 and comes after they called it quits following the release of the archive-based album, The endless river, in 2014.

“I thought it might be something that we use our platform for, for tremendous good,” Gilmour said. rolling stone in a new interview. “When I spoke to Nick [Mason], and he said he was ready to do it as Pink Floyd, it seemed like a no-brainer. We want to spread this message of peace and we want to lift the spirits of people who are defending their homeland in Ukraine. »

The Floyd guitarist revealed that Khlyvnyuk was suspicious when the pair made contact over the phone: “I gave him a ring, and I think he was maybe a little suspicious whether I was genuine or not. He said, “Could we do this on a FaceTime video call?” So I said, ‘Of course.’ When he recognized me and was assured it was for real, from there he was awesome. He loved the track, and I’m just thrilled for him and for us to have taken a small step for humanity in the midst of all the inhumanity going on there.

Gilmour said it was “fantastic” to work with Mason again, noting, “Nick is unlike any other drummer. It’s a wonderful thing for us to be together playing a song that means something fantastic. He also indicated that he built the guitar solos in his usual way: “I guess what I often do is improvise and then correct. If I make mistakes – which I often do – we go in and find a new track for that part. Usually the best part is what comes directly to mind.

But when asked if he was “considering more Pink Floyd music,” he replied, “It’s a unique piece for Pink Floyd. I work casually all the time. I hope to finish an album at some point, but my focus right now is on that.