14/06/97 NME news

Mark Rides Again!

Former Ride singer Mark Gardener is to release his debut solo single, 'Magdalen Sky', on Oxford-based label Shifty Disco on June 30. It will be backed by another new song, 'Can't Let It Die'.

Gardener unveiled 'Magdalen Sky' at his debut solo gig at Oxford Point on May 16/

As revealed exclusively in NME last month, Gardener has been working with Supergrass producer Sam Williams. Williams co-produced the single and plays guitar and contributes backing vocals to the song. The tracks were recorded at Chipping Norton Studio in Oxfordshire, where Ride recorded 'Going Blank Again' and Radiohead recorded 'Pablo Honey'.

A spokesman for Gardener said of the single: "It's a really lovely song, basically just an acoustic track. Mark's got his voice just where he wants it to be and this track showcases it really well."

The spokesman added that Gardener had got an embryonic band together and that they would probably start recording this autumn.

The single will be available in the Oxford area on June 16, two weeks before its national release. Only 1,000 copies will be pressed, of which just 250 will be distributed around the country.

Subscribers to the Shifty Disco singles club also get releases earlier than the rest of the country. For more info, contact the label at OMC, suite 1, 2nd Floor, 65 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2BE.

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