As his former band-mates began their ascent to stardom with Faithless and Dido, Matt Sage moved onto a boat on the Oxford Canal and founded the city’s now-legendary Catweazle Club, a performance space for musicians, singers, poets and all manner of otherworldly artists, now in its twelvth year.

He continued to collaborate with his former and increasingly glittery cohorts, as well as countless local heroes. It is now, however, that his moment has truly arrived, as is evidenced by the remarkable new album Strange News from Another Star, and by accompanying live outings and attendant press reports.. Featuring the 14-piece Orchestra of Love and recorded in just 12 days, this is a truly joyous debut.

Matt Sage is an inspirational songmaker and performer, whether singing solo with an acoustic guitar or conducting the full and explosive electric band.

During 2004, Matt decided he needed a broad sweep of musicians to help fully convey the music in his head and over the course of several extraordinary live shows - from Oxford’s ancient Holywell Music Room, to Glastonbury Festival - the Orchestra of Love was born.

All the musicians on the album Matt discovered through the Catweazle Club and each leads their own band of very different but equally high quality music.

Last year Matt Sage was invited to New York - as a special guest of global film and music artists 1 Giant Leap - where he played a stunning solo show at CBGB’s. At last year’s Wychwood, Matt met Gilles Peterson following the Orchestra’s headline show at the Festival, which led to Gilles championing the band on his Radio 1 show.

Matt Sage has spent a fruitful 2006 so far, collaborating with 1 Giant Leap, composer Tom Ingleby and Pooka’s Sharon Lewis, as well as regular shows both solo and with members of the Orchestra of Love. He is shortly to begin work on his second eagerly anticipated album.

Debut album Strange News From Another Star is available for purchase at good music stores in the UK distributed by Proper Music, through www.mattsage.com and www.cdbaby.com as well as for download through www.itunes.com.