The Pastels Ready New Album, Score Play
Indie pop kids everywhere overcome with fits of giddiness

If your anorak feels extra snuggly and your chai tastes especially sweet today, that's probably because the Pastels are on the prowl once again. The seminal Glasgow shambling indie pop trio has returned in earnest, with a new album, a collaboration, and a live score for a theatre production all in the works for you, their polite and devoted fanbase.

First up, the Pastels have contributed original music to Do I Mean Anything To You Or Am I Just Passing By?, a new, somewhat experimental play written and directed by Gerard McInulty-- aka Caeser, formerly of Factory/Sarah Records act the Wake (which also at one point included a young Bobby Gillespie) and presently of the Occasional Keepers. The work previews November 17 and 18 and runs from the 21-25 at Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre, with Pastels Stephen McRobbie and Katrina Mitchell in attendance to contribute live music to each performance.

According to their MySpace and current label home, Domino Records, the band have also been diligently working on a brand new full length-- technically the follow-up to 1997's Illumination, and their first collection of new material since the 2002 film soundtrack The Last Great Wilderness. Chalk up the long wait to the fact that the Pastels have been busy concentrating on their Domino-affiliated imprint Geographic Music, and also busy being honest and adorable.

Also on the way: a collaboration with Tokyo twee duo Tenniscoats. No word yet on titles or release dates for either record, but after a nearly ten year Pastels hiatus, I suppose we can stand to wait just a wee bit longer.

Do I Mean Anything to You...?:

11-17 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre
11-18 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre
11-21 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre
11-22 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre
11-23 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre
11-24 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre
11-25 Edinburgh, Scotland - Traverse Theatre