Widely tipped as one of the emerging talents of 2008, Manchester, England based singer-songwriter Doug Walker will release his debut single “The Mystery” March 10th, 2008 on Warner Brothers Records. The single will also be available as a digital download.

“The Mystery” has already proved to be Doug Walker’s breakthrough moment. Walker hit upon a plan to head down to Radio 1 early in the morning to hand out copies of his self-released single “The Mystery” to staff arriving for the day. In amongst the runners, cleaners and security staff who would inevitably find a copy of the single thrust into their hands, Walker hoped a few copies would find themselves in the ownership of some more influential figures.

As Chris Moyles arrived to prepare for his breakfast show, another copy of “The Mystery” was gone. Moyles subsequently played “The Mystery” that very morning and received such an overwhelmingly positive public reaction that he played it twice more, eventually giving Doug Walker thirty minutes coverage before a primetime audience.

What followed was the biggest whirlwind of Walker’s life and, just six week later, he had inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records. Two months later, his debut album ‘Fear Together’ (due out on April 7th) was finalised.

Watch Doug Walker – “The Mystery” video:

Recorded in London and New York with producer Danton Supple (Coldplay) and Michael Brauer (Jeff Buckley, KT Tunstall, The Kooks) on mixing duties, ‘Fear Together’ showcases songs that Walker has lived with and others that are newly written. Aside from “The Mystery”, Walker excels with the likes of “Shine”, “Shed A Little Light” and “Obstacles” – immediately captivating gems that he describes simply as being about “love, faith and just making it through.”

You can catch Doug Walker’s live show when he undertakes a residency at London’s Water Rats. He’s playing at the venue tonight, February 12th, 2008. He plays Manchester’s Night & Day on February 15th before heading to Texas to play SXSW! More dates below.

Doug Walker 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Doug Walker’s website for the latest tour dates and information.

23 February 2008 Tripod (Acoustic show supporting SEASICK STEVE), DUBLIN
25 February 2008 Freebutt (with Sarabeth Tucek), Brighton
27 February 2008 Glee Club (with Sarabeth Tucek), Birmingham
28 February 2008 Night & Day Cafe (with Sarabeth Tucek), Manchester
29 February 2008 Brudenell Social Club (with Sarabeth Tucek), LEEDS
1 March 2008 Doghouse(with Sarabeth Tucek), DUNDEE
3 March 2008 Fibbers (with Sarabeth Tucek), York
4 March 2008 Arts Centre (with Sarabeth Tucek), Norwich
6 March 2008 Upstairs @ Whelan’s (with Sarabeth Tucek), Dublin
12 March 2008 SXSW, Austin, Texas
13 March 2008 SXSW, Austin, Texas
14 March 2008 SXSW, Austn, Texas
15 March 2008 SXSW, Austin, Texas
16 March 2008 SXSW, Austin, Texas

For more information and music, go to:

Doug Walker on Myspace

The show takes place March 24th, 2008 and is scheduled to include special guests Robyn Hitchcock, Foals and Duke Spirit.

Tickets go on sale Friday February 15th, 2008 at 9am and are priced at 55 GBP/45 GBP/40 GBP/25 GBP (may be subject to booking fee).

Available from Live Nation and by telephone from 0844 576 5483 (cc 24 hrs).

Royal Albert Hall ticket phone line 0207 589 8212 (Limited tickets). Royal Albert Hall Official Website.

All profits will go to the ICA, a non-profit arts institute and registered charity. ICA Official Website.

Produced by Jacknife Lee and R.E.M., ‘Accelerate’ is released March 31st, 2008 on Warner Brothers.

The first single “Supernatural Superserious” is released February 11th digitally with a physical release to follow.

R.E.M. are also set to tour the US from May 23, 2008 to June 21 before embarking on a European tour starting July 2nd in Amsterdam.

UK dates will be announced shortly.

An official countdown for the album has already begun on Nighty Nights, which launched January 1st.

R.E.M. on Myspace
R.E.M. Official Website