While the rumours about whether Radiohead will get around to releasing an album this year (yawn, yawn - just let 'em get on with it, huh?), drummer Phil Selway has been a busy little bee by knocking up a new debut album AND getting a few festival bookings sorted out, as well as the odd lone-headliner and a support slot on a couple of Wilco dates.

So, where to begin? Well, Mr Selway has signed up to Bella Union, which is a pretty good start, and got himself on the Wilco tour-bus for their sold-out gig at the Royal Festival Hall (14th Sep) and the following dates in Newcastle and Glasgow (still available). The link between the two acts? Well, that's where his new album "Familial" comes in - two members of Wilco perform on it, probably having first met while playing in Neil Finn's charity 'supergroup' 7 Worlds Collide a few years back.

Still with me? Excellent - read on.....

The album will be unleashed on 30th August and features ten songs that are, according to the RFH website, "a sublime collection of haunting, intimate songs". To prove it you can have a preview of the lead-off track "By Some Miracle" [check the embedded SoundCloud, above - Ed] - there is an option to download a sharper copy from his website by completing a simple email registration form. The album features appearances by Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansome from Wilco, US singer Lisa Germano and Soul Coughing's Seb Steinberg.

Which leaves his own headline dates. Or should I say 'date'? Apart from Festival appearances at Electric Picnic, End Of The Road and Bestival, he will play a sole London date at Shepherd's Bush venue Bush Hall on 13th September - tickets are on sale now priced at £11 plus fees. It isn't a huge venue so I would be quick for these if I were you.