British Sea Power Finish Off New Album

According to their latest blog, British Sea Power have finished mixing their new record, the follow-up to last year's 'Man of Aran'.

As yet there's been no confirmation for when this, their fifth album, will be released.

In the meantime, and perhaps as precursor, the band are putting the finishing touches to a selection of non-album tracks. Guitarist Noble wrote, "Good news! We have finished mixing the album. We're currently mixing some EP/B-side tracks now."

One song to get a mention was 'Retreat' which Noble described as, "a nine-minute, Isle of Skye, Stargazing sleeping pill."

The band will make their first UK festival appearance of the year next month in Glasgow when they play Hinterland (April 3). Then there's the small matter of the Tan Hill festival which the band will be curating again.

Held at Yorkshire's Tan Hill Inn from April 30 to May 2, ticket prices for the event have increased to￡75 this year, a decision Noble defended.

"The ticket price for Tan Hill is up from the 2008 event. We actually lost money putting on the 2008 event, and this time we have booked more bands." He went on, "If you're not happy with this cowering justification, I'll buy you a pint and clean your shoes if you think yourself hard done by." That's us told, then.

Line-up details have yet to be announced while tickets are available from 9am (G.M.T) on March 19.