The Magnetic North (feat. Simon Tong) take part in Tim Hardin tribute album

The Magnetic North, a collaborative project featuring Simon Tong (ex-Verve), Erland Cooper (Erland and the Carnival), and singer, composer and orchestral arranger, Hannah Peel are part of a recently released tribute compilation titled Reason To Believe: The Songs of Tim Hardin.

Tim Hardin was a folk-pop singer-songwriter from Eugene, Oregon, who died of a heroin overdose in 1980 at age 39. His career peaked in the 1960s, while he was in his mid-20s, thanks to his first two albums, Tim Hardin 1 and Tim Hardin 2. The Magnetic North appear on the song "It's Hard to Believe in Love for Long."

About The Magnetic North...

The Magnetic North released their debut album, Orkney: Symphony of the Magnetic North on May 6, 2012 to critical acclaim, recording the album in Orkney and immersing themselves in Orcadian folklore, poetry and geography in the process. The project took its name from the title of the 1930's Orkney travelogue book 'Orkney - The Magnetic North.' 

Here's the video for their debut single, "Rackwick," and also "Bay of Skaill," the second single released last November. Follow the group via their website, and/or through Twitter and Facebook.

'Our Frail Hearts' out today

Charley Bickers' debut Our Frail Hearts is out today, available free or as a 'pay-what-you-wish' release on bandcamp:

http://charleybickers.bandcamp.com/

"The Little Words" features Simon Jones on bass. Also, it had been reported earlier that Nick McCabe would produce Our Frail Hearts, but that was clarified recently. The album produced by Nick McCabe is Bicker's second album, to be released sometime this summer.

Update: Bickers' Our Frail Hearts is now being promoted through Artrocker, Mojophenia, The Music Ninja, and Altsounds.

Update: A selection of demos and outtakes that didn't make it onto Our Frail Hearts are now available on bandcamp, again free or 'pay-what-you-wish.'

http://charleybickers.bandcamp.com/album/album-outtakes-demos-our-frail-hearts

Black Submarine at Faktory Studios

Black Submarine have reportedly been in the studio for nearly a week and a half according to a recent update by Faktory Studios in Chester, UK:

"I know we kept this quiet but Black Submarine have been back in the studio for the last 9 days practicing. Sounded awesome as per usual."

• Source: Faktory Studios, Facebook

New Black Submarine picture surfaces

Tourism Sunday: walking the wall in Cheshire.

• Source: Amelia Tucker's Twitter. Tucker will feature on the forthcoming Black Submarine LP.
• Kudos: TheWiganKebab

Charley Bickers' 'Our Frail Hearts' due January 28

Happy New Year! Here are a few updates to start, what should be, a promising year for Verve related music.

To begin, Charley Bickers, a contributor on the upcoming (yet to be titled) Black Submarine album, is releasing an album of his own in February.

Update: Our Frail Hearts will be released on January 28 and will be hosted on Q Magazine online, Artrocker and other sites. More details as they become available.

Our Frail Hearts is due to be released for free; however, the album will also be available as a pay-what-you-wish release on bandcamp. The link will be posted here when available. Check out the teaser below:

Richard Ashcroft back in the studio

As previously reported in November, Richard Ashcroft is currently working on a new project. He recently spent time with Damon Minchella in the studio and the two are due to convene again shortly. When asked about the material, Minchella said the songs are "excellent." Kudos to Pablo for the update.

Black Submarine update

Black Submarine will feature on four tracks written for the film Java Heat, starring Mickey Rourke and Kellan Lutz, due for release in the United States sometime May 2013. Check back for details on the soundtrack, but in the meantime, check out the Java Heat trailer below:  

Update: Black Submarine's music features from 0:00 to 0:36 and from 2:22 until the end.

Also, it seems 2013 will be the year for the Black Submarine debut. More details as they become available.