All squared away

The Frames celebrate their Dublin Castle show with the simultaneous May 6th release of the Headlong EP.

Along with re-recordings of 'God Bless Mom' and the title-track, it features a cover of Will Oldham's 'New Partner' and Glen Hansard and Colm Mac An Iomaire's take on Mic Christophers' 'Listen Girl'.

"I was just on to Joe and it's been mastered today," Frames manager Claire Leadbitter tells us. "It's a rework of 'Headlong' that they laid down in Steve [Albini}'s place whilst they had a few days off in Chicago, along with a new version of 'God Bless Mom' and a cover of 'New Partner'.

"'Listen Girl'," Claire continues, "was recorded in Mic [Christopher]'s flat on Good Friday, with additional fiddly bits from Colm and Maureen Christopher and Ann Scott and Alice Jago on backing vocals."

The 'Headlong' video is currently being assembled by those unspeakably hip Del 9 boys, with No Disco doubtless premiering it early next month.

In the meantime, For The Birds is temporarily available for the knockdown price of €10, with a live DVD to follow in the autumn.

In other Frames tidings, the band are to be the subject of a documentary, called Ceol I gCuideachta, which airs at 10pm on Monday April 22nd on BBC2 Northern Ireland (and is viewable throughout the Republic and the North).

Additionally, Glen and Colm are receiving the Tom Dunne cross-examination on Today FM (April 23rd, 2pm) and a bit of a live session is almost definitely on the cards.

And in case their sweeping the boards in last year's Critics' and Readers' Polls wasn't enough of a tip-off, the band will also be appearing at the Hot Press Irish Music Awards being staged next week in Belfast (broadcast April 26th, 10pmish, BBC2).

Last but not least, Glen Hansard will be looking after 'Here Comes The Night' for Donal Dineen from May 7th to 9th, when Mr Dineen takes time off to get married.

All Hot Press' best wishes go to the nation's newest and coolest bridegroom and his new missus...