The traditional model for rock bands has been to tour after releasing a new album. But for Bishop Allen, who already toured behind their latest one, 'Girr', the plan is to tour some more, then release the new album.

"The new songs are a glorious mess right now," frontman Justin Rice admits to Spinner. "There are bits and pieces strung together, exquisite corpse-style: donkey heads on snake bodies with chicken feet. It's a great time because I can feel the potential in everything we're working on. Nothing's let me down yet by turning out ugly or tamer than I'd hoped." By the time the fall tour starts Oct. 27, there should be some new songs in the mix, hopefully ones where the heads match the bodies and have their own two feet.

As for recording, the band has big plans, perhaps even life-changing plans. "Long ago, we spent a weekend at an amazing studio in the Catskills called Allaire," recalls Rice. He describes the studio as being idyllic with hilltop views, a pool and fireplaces, all tucked inside a mansion on one of the region's many legendary estates.

"It closed recently because no one needs -- and very few people can afford -- to record in a studio like that," says Rice. "I love the liberty of home recording, but I always think fondly on Allaire. So my plan is to move to the Catskills and make my home a smaller, shabbier version of Allaire. And to record at my new home."

Feel free to bring him housewarming gifts, like recoding consoles, microphones and hard drives when Bishop Allen comes through your town this fall.