Scotland's mainstream hitmakers DEACON BLUE ready single, album and tour reports Tony Cummings

Glasgow's mainstream hitmakers Deacon Blue are set to release 'Believers', their eighth album and their third since the 2012 comeback record 'The Hipsters'. The project was produced at Chem 19 studios in Blantyre by Paul Savage (Mogwai, Arab Strap). Talking about the album on Deacon Blue's Facebook page, singer and songwriter Ricky Ross said, "It's been a journey. I started the tentative writing process in December 2014 and carried it on until May this year. In that time lots of things in the world have changed. The song which starts off the whole thing is 'The Believers'. It seems inevitable really that one day we would have a record called 'Believers' and it's our statement to the fact that belief in the possibilities of hope and a better tomorrow is the side we choose to come down on."

Ross continued, "We once covered the mighty protest song, 'Which Side Are You On?', a pressing question in today's political climate. This record is our best answer. We're very excited about this album because, again, it's come out of the joy we've found in playing together over these last few years. We've been reunited with our producer and friend Paul Savage and our old buddy Michael Brauer has mixed this first single [the title track]. We hope you like it. There's a lot more to come. Keep the faith."

Michael Brauer has mixed for Coldplay and John Mayor. The "Believers" single will be released on 12th August and the album on 30th September. Marking their 30th anniversary Deacon Blue will undertake a full UK tour in November and December. It kicks off at The Waterfront, Belfast on 9th November.