Townsville collective The Middle East are finally set to release their debut record, labeled with the Will Oldham-esque title of I Want That You Are Always Happy. The eight-piece will be car tripping it all over Australia as a result. Which brings us to today.

The band is embarking on an album launch tour that will see them take in 10 shows around the country. Being from Townsville, they get a hometown show up there, but no Perth, skipping the Western capital in favour of the more laid-back Fremantle. Makes sense.

We've already heard a few tracks from the forthcoming LP, the most notable of which, opener 'Black Death 1349' we called, "a sparse, heavy-hearted and mostly acoustic number that very much recalls Fleet Foxes, thanks to that voice. Again led by co-singer Jordan Ireland (who also led previous singles 'Blood', 'Darker Side' and co-fronted 'Jesus Came To My Birthday Party'. Aka all the good ones); yes it has the wonderful line "We're all just little babies in the void" and yes it has a reference to the Lord. "Jesus" is the Middle East's refreshing shorthand for "the club" basically."

I Want That You Are Always Happy is out April 8th, the same day that tickets to the tour go on sale.

THE MIDDLE EAST - ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR 2011
with special guests

Friday 3rd - Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns*
Tix: ticketlink.com.au

Saturday 4th - Riverway Arts Centre, Townsville*
Tix: townsville.qld.gov.au

Wednesday 8th - Fly by Night Club, Fremantle
Tix: flybynight.org

Friday 10th - The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
Tix: moshtix.com.au  | venuetix.com.au

Saturday 11th - The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Tix: cornerhotel.com

Monday 13th - Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Tix: oztix.com.au

Wednesday 15th - Old Museum, Brisbane
Tix: oztix.com.au

Thursday 16th - Joe's Waterhole, Sunshine Coast
Tix: venue box office

Friday 17th - The Metro, Sydney
Tix: ticketek.com.au

Sunday 19th - Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Tix: moshtix.com.au

All shows 18+ except where noted * - All Ages