What have you got going on at the moment?

I'm pretty busy at the moment. I have recently completed writing the soundtrack for the film 'Powder' based on Kevin Sampsons Novel. Which was recorded with 'The Rascals (minus the now solo Miles Kane)' and myself starring Alfie Allen, Liam Boyle and Ralf Little. I am also set to work on another soundtrack for a high profile book adaptation but the negotiations are ongoing so I don't want to reveal too much! I'm also co writing with various people most recently Dutch singer Ilse De Lange and I am going to Norway to record an EP and do a live TV show with the Tromso orchestra.

Read the rest of the interview here.

• Leeds Brudenell Social Club (November 30)
• Birmingham Arcadian (December 1)
• Nottingham Rescue Rooms (2)
• Preston 53 Degrees (4)
• Lancaster Music Library (5)
• Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire (6)
• Glasgow Oran Mor (7)
• Manchester Ruby Lounge (9)
• Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms (10)
• Northampton New Roadmender (11)
• London Borderline (13)

Starsailor singer James Walsh has announced the band is on hold and he is concentrating on his solo career.

The failure of their last album, All The Plans, to reach the top of the charts triggered the decision, the Chorley-born frontman said.

He added: "We just thought, why get back on that treadmill? I think sometimes it's good to stop playing the game for a while."

James Walsh will be playing at 53 Degrees on Friday, December 4. Look for a full interview in the LEP's WOW supplement.

Additional Comments from wigantoday.net:

James said: "It was really hingeing on what happened with the album because we put so much into it and worked really hard making it.

"We just thought, why get back on that treadmill and struggle on trying to get on Radio One playlists. I think sometimes it's good to stop playing the game for a while."

See the artwork here and download it here at amazon.co.uk.

T In The Park 2009 will take place at Balado, Kinross-shire from 10-12 July.

In the wake of the NME Awards 09, Best New Band winners MGMT could do worse than look to their predecessors. Eight years ago, Starsailor picked up 'Brightest New Hope' – and now they're stepping back into the spotlight with cracking new fourth album.

The band say the disc – on which they reunite with Steve Osbourne, who produced their debut - is the result of all the good and bad experiences since 2001. Well there's certainly a lot more light amongst the trademark dirges we've come to know and love.

It's been three years since On The Outside was released, but they've not exactly been sitting around. They've shifted labels (to Virgin, acquired by their original label EMI) and racked up a hefty amount of touring, supporting the Rolling Stones, The Police, U2 and The Killers.

Some of those heavyweights have pitched in on the new album – Ronnie Wood joined one recording session and appears on a version of the title track released as part of first single, Tell Me It's Not Over.

Indeed eagle-eyed fans may even have spotted a leaked version of the first single featuring Brandon Flowers. Though the final version of the track has no sign of the Killer's frontman, it's still a surefire hit. It's a soaring epic which could be mistaken for Keane until James Walsh's distinctive vocals kick in.

The Thames echoes the spaghetti western style favoured by The Last Shadow Puppets – a pared-down version makes a success of Stars And Stripes. Neon Sky is bound to be a hit with long-term fans, with its lamenting melody and soaring guitars. Ditto Hurts Too Much. Safe At Home is also a gem, with haunting vocals laid delicately over steel guitar.

On their official website, the band say they've matured a lot since the fresh-out-of-college teens who penned Love Is Here, and though All The Plans doesn't step out of their comfort zone, their experience is evident. Full of deep lyrics and intricate melodies, surges and ebbs, highs and lows - this is unthreatening music for the moment.

Source: BBC.co.uk

Stuart Price remixed the song and features Flowers on backing vocals. It will never be officially released.

Download via RollingStone.com

The tracklisting for the 'Boy In Waiting' EP is:

'Boy In Waiting' 'Do You Believe In Love?' 'Black Limousine' 'Darling Be Home Soon' (Lovin' Spoonful cover)

You can also pre-order the standard album from amazon.co.uk

Tickets for the gigs go on general sale on December 5, although a pre-sale on the band's website gives fans the opportunity to buy tickets from 9am on December 3.

Starsailor play the following dates:

Glasgow ABC (March 26) Manchester Ritz (27) Sheffield Leadmill (28) Liverpool Academy (30) Leeds Metropolitan University (31) Wolves Wulfrun (April 1) Oxford Academy (3) Portsmouth Pyramid (4) Bristol Academy (5) Cambridge Junction (7) Norwich UEA (8) London Shepherds Bush Empire (9)

Source: Starsailor.net

As those of you on our mailing list will have heard over the weekend we now have a new record label (Virgin) and a whole new team of people working with us to promote our fourth record. This will be called 'All The Plans' and is likely to be released at the beginning of March 2009. It will be preceded by a single, 'Tell Me Its Not Over,' to be released towards the end of February 2009.

Hello All,

Well it’s been a long time in the making but we have finally finished recording our 4th album (hope I haven't spoken too soon!) It’s certainly been an adventure! We have been to 4 studios (Real World, The Doghouse, Sofa Sound and Eastcote) and a whole cast of characters have been involved getting to this point. Undoubtedly the two people who have put the most effort in the studio (apart from the band) are Producer Steve Osborne and Engineer Dan Austin (Who is also working with Doves at the same time! No wonder he looks knackered!). Our A&R man Chris Briggs has been in frequently regaling us with tales of his life in rock n roll (Chris has been working at EMI for years. What he doesn’t know about The Waterboys, Robbie Williams, Jethro Tull and Tottenham Hotspur is not worth knowing!)

We have 16 songs recorded with 12 possible contenders for the album. Regular visitors to the site will be familiar with the titles 'Tell Me Its Not Over’, ‘Boy In Waiting’ and 'All The Plans We Made'. There is also 'The Thames’,’ Hurts Too Much,’ You Never Get What You Deserve’,’ Listen Up’,’ Under A Neon Sky’,’ Safe At Home’,’ Change My Mind' and 'Stars and Stripes'.

There has been an emphasis on strong melodies and simple arrangements for this album and the guitar playing of Richard Warren has definitely enhanced the sound. I'm not one for slagging off the last album and saying this one is 100 times better because the last album definitely had its merits. However we have spent a lot longer writing and recording this one and the result is the perfect companion to 'Love Is Here.’

On a totally different note I recently devoured 2 series of 'Life On Mars' during a recent bout of illness and was absolutely blown away. I saw Supergrass at The Roundhouse (You forget how good they are) and I have been reading George Orwell 'Down And Out In Paris And London. Oh and the workmen finally finished the kitchen!