December 10, 2008 14:47

Patrick Wolf asks fans to buy shares in his new album

'Battle' is set to be a double album, Wolf says

Photo Gallery: Patrick Wolf

Patrick Wolf has asked fans to help cover the cost of his new album by becoming shareholders in it.

Wolf is using the website Bandstocks to help fund the album, 'Battle', which is set to be released in spring 2009.

All fans have to do to become a shareholder is sign up to Bandstocks and pay a £10 fee that Wolf says will help him cover production costs of the album.

Speaking of the venture, Wolf said: "It's the beginning of the future for artists and musicians in the music industry. There's no way we can rely on conglomerate, corporate companies anymore.

"Basically, you can invest in the finishing of the album and the production of it, and you get a share in the album. So you almost become part of the record company, like a co-owner of the album."

Shareholders receive a number of benefits, including exclusive gig tickets and limited edition albums.

Speaking of 'Battle', Wolf said he had intended to make a double album of "dark and solipsistic record with no hope at the end - very much how I felt".

However, a change in his relationship status forced the record to take a new direction. "Something fantastic happened just as I was about to start that journey and I had all these songs to record - I fell in love," he explained.

Wolf says that the record is still a double album though: "One disc is a pure nihilistic battle record, and the second is battles of love."

The album will be released on Wolf's own recently launched record label Bloody Chamber Music.