The pair are releasing their self-titled debut album on June 15 and have announced a 12-date tour of North America in September to promote the release. They currently have no plans for any European dates but Irish R.E.M fans will be hoping that that soon changes.

Buck, who was a founding member and leading guitarist of R.E.M, and Arthur have a relationship spanning two decades. Joseph Arthur used to occasionally support R.E.M in the early 2000s, while Buck has previously backed him. The two musicians began writing songs together last year following a stay in Mexico when they wrote eight songs in three days.

R.E.M split up in 2011 and Buck has since released three solo albums as well as a number of collaborations. All 11 tracks on Arthur Buck were co-written by the duo.

“It was all new songs, and it was spontaneous,” Buck says. “And the great thing about working that way was that it didn’t have to be anything in particular. It was liberated from any expectation. It was free.” 

As well as being released on digital platforms and CD, the pair will be releasing the album on vinyl. There will be also be a limited edition of the vinyl which will be signed by Arthur Buck themselves.