It's hard to believe but Texan quintet, Midlake, formed as long ago as 1999 but have only recently been propelled into the critical spotlight due mainly to their sumptuous 2006 album, "The Trials Of Van Occupanther", released on the spot-on label, Bella Union (they bought you Fleet Foxes and Fionn Regan as well). 2010 may well be their year......

A tour of the UK was announced a while back but now they have added six more dates to it and announced details of their next album, "The Courage of Others", due in February 2010. The tour kicks off in January at the Newcastle Cluny on the 22nd and continues to London's Tabernacle on the 28th before a brief sojurn. The tour then continues in February with new dates beginning in Bristol (Anson Rooms) on the 12th, Dublin's Vicar Street (14th), Glasgow's ABC (15th), Birmingham's Town Hall (16th), Manchester's Academy (17th) and ending up at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on the 18th.

The new album is due on Feb 1st and features 11 new songs including "Acts Of Man" and "The Horn". Interest will be high for this one - their brand of AOR-cum-Indie has won over many people. Check out their single from 2006, "Head Home", to see what I mean.