You may recognise Gruff Rhys as the man behind - or in front of - The Super Furry Animals, but in recent years he's found himself fronting and being involved in a varying array of bizarre projects, one of which involved trekking across much of South America, Patagonia to be precise. That was an enlightening experience.

He's also got a new record out next year, and it's one which has just been finished. It's as-yet-untitled (or perhaps he just doesn't want to tell us what it's called) but comes out on February 11. There's now a song you can download from it, entitled 'Shark Ridden Waters'. You can get that from the man's official website. Go there and get it. It's also available on 12" vinyl from November 8.

Mr Rhys has also just announced a tour to support the album, across various bits of Europe. Here are the relevant dates.

November:
10 - Copenhagen, Teater Grob
13 - Galway, Town Hall Theatre
14 - Belfast, The Empire
15 - Dublin, Sugar Club
22 - Manchester, Whitworth Gallery
23 - Glasgow, Vic Bar @ The Art School
26 - Paris, Point Ephemere
30 - Amsterdam, Bitterzoet

December:
1 - Berlin, September Gallery