Steve Mason Prepares New Album

Former Beta Band songwriter Steve Mason has confirmed plans to launch a new solo album.

Whilst they never quite achieved the commercial success they deserved, The Beta Band remain adored by their fans. Hailing from the small university town of Saint Andrews the group's bewitching blend of psych-pop turned them into cult heroes.

Name checked by Noel Gallagher as a massive influence on Oasis, the Manchester certainly learned a thing or two from tracks such as 'Dry The Rain'.

Splitting in 2002 the group's main songwriter Steve Mason carried on writing at a furious pace. Using the name King Biscuit Time the singer released several solo albums on Alan McGee's short lived experiment Poptones.

Retreating to rural Fife, Steve Mason continued releasing spectral psych-folk as Black Affair before deciding to use his own name. Still capable of producing something uniquely spell binding, the singer recently completed work on his new album.

Titled 'Boys Outside' the new album will be released on Steve Mason's own Black Melody label. As ever, the material is difficult to pin down matching a bewildering array of samples to acoustic based songwriting.

The firs track to be taken from the new album is 'All Come Down' which is due to be released as a free download on December 7th. Available from Steve Mason's official website the track is the result of an unusual collaboration.

One time Sugababes producer Richard X has taken controls for the new album, adding a pop sheen to Steve Mason's unique songwriting.

Steve Mason is set to release 'Boys Outside' in March 2010.