Word has come in fleeting and mysterious messages of late from the world of bravecaptain. As you should know, Martin Carr -- once the songwriting force of the mighty Boo Radleys -- has been putting out albums under the bravecaptain moniker for several years now. Unhappy with the music biz, Carr's most recent bravecaptain album was released in mp3 format on his website for free download.

Now comes word that the final touches are being put on the project -- bravecaptain is dead. Carr's final show as the Cap'n happens this Sunday at the Black Lion Guest House in Kilburn. The gig is being filmed for future DVD release, and fans are encouraged to share their fave bravecaptain memories and stories at the gig.

As for the future, it's fairly murky. Carr, a friend of this site who has contributed to our many projects over the years, is being mercilessly silent and NOT replying to our interview requests. We can, however, cite a source close to the artist who lets us know that, while bravecaptain may be dead, a new band is in the works and will be revealed very soon-ish. We'll pass on the details when we know 'em.

Ahh... God, I love it when so much fantastic news and music spews forth that it's tough to keep up with the news.

First off, there's lots of news involving sonic terrorist bravecaptain, otherwise known in a former life as Martin Carr of the Boo Radleys. If you haven't been paying attention all year, Brave Sir Melton has been releasing an mp3 singles club throughout 2005. Every month, a new track has shown up at the Captain's website available for inexpensive download (1 pound per track.) And it's well worth the investment, if you ask us.

It's also well worth the investment if you ask the Captain himself... as he's just announced a pretty cool deal. If you have downloaded all 12 of the 2005 Singles-of-the-Month by January 15th, 2006, you'll get sent COMPLETELY FREE a limited edition CD of bravecaptain's 'Eyeless in Canton' session for BBC Radio Wales. No charges, not even shipping. The 'Eyeless in Canton' session is a 24-minute mix featuring the likes of the Human League, Kool Keith, Akira the Don, Blondie & MF Doom alongside special mixes of tracks from the new bravecaptain album, 'Distractions'.

That enough good news for you? PSHAW. Let's talk about the new bravecaptain album, "Distractions," released on January 30th. We've been lucky enough to hear an advance copy, and it's definitely the most mature, sonically evolved bravecaptain record yet. Here's the best part: In an attempt to expand the bravecaptain fanbase across the world, "Distractions" will NOT be coming out on Martin's most recent label, Wichita. In fact, "Distractions" will NOT be coming on any label period. Starting on Mon., Jan. 30, you can simply log onto bravecaptain.co.uk and download it COMPLETELY FOR FREE. That's right, Martin's GIVING us his new record FREE OF CHARGE!!!

Think that's enough Boo Radleys news to keep you going? Hardly. Now you need to go to www.paperlung.com. PAPERLUNG is Sice's new band. That's right, the voice of the Boos is back after nearly a decade with a new project. There are 3 downloadable demos that are everything you'd want this band to sound like and then some.

Talk about one great Christmas.

bravecaptain website: bravecaptain.co.uk
bravecaptain on MySpace: myspace.com/bravecaptain

Paperlung website: www.paperlung.com
Paperlung on MySpace: myspace.com/paperlung

If your looking to hear an interesting live show you can pop over to Bethan and Huw on BBC Wales on Thursday (March 4) at 8 PM GMT (that's 3PM East Coasters) and give a listen to a set from American Indie veterans YO LA TENGO with Welsh fiddlers GORKY'S ZYGOTIC MYNCI celebrating St. David's Day in Cardiff this past weekend. You can also stream a number of interesting tracks from the site including exclusive live material from HYBRID (with Peter Hook of NEW ORDER), MC MABON, and BRAVE CAPTAIN.

By now you should know that a certain fella named MARTIN CARR, who was once in THE BOO RADLEYS, has a new project called BRAVE CAPTAIN, and has just released one heck of a debut record. What you might NOT know is that now he's chatting with YOU... Thursday night... over at INSOUND. The chat starts at 9 p.m. EST, 2 a.m. GMT - and you should go.

Wichita Recordings currently has available several sound clips from BRAVE CAPTAIN, otherwise known as our favorite ex-Boo Radley MARTIN CARR. According to Wichita's website, the first material from Carr's new outfit is expected this July. Read all about Carr and the fledgling label's activities via their website, www.wichita-recordings.com

Twas a sad day indeed last year when the announcement came to us that the Boo Radleys were packing it in. One of the last shining stars of the fading Creation Records roster, the Boos spent most of the 90's proving to us time and again that great music can push the envelope of creativity AND still come from the heart namely, the heart of guitarist and songwriter Martin Carr.

Well, the Boos may be gone, but Carr's far from history. Reinventing himself under the guise of Brave Captain, he's about to release his first new material since the breakup of the band. The 6-track mini-album, "The Fingertip Saint Sessions Volume 1" is due August 14 on Carr's newfound label, Wichita Recordings (formed by former Creation exec Dick Green and Carr's best friend, Mark Bowen.) All six tracks were recorded with the help of SFA and Gorky's producer Gorwel Owen, and the two are almost wholly responsible for every lick of music on the record - and that includes Carr's first stab at lead vocals.

Martin's been a supporter and acquaintance of Excellent Online for years, and we're pleased and proud to have been given the opportunity to conduct an interview with him just two weeks before the release of the new record.

Interview by Shane Brown