A new phenomenon has hit Scotland as of late — frontmen of high-profile outfits collaborating with members of other equally high-profile outfits for new solo albums and side-projects. After all, fresh off the news that that Travis frontman Fran Healy had rounded up Paul McCartney and Neko Case for his forthcoming solo debut, comes words of a new project started by Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.

As Paste explains, Lightbody has teamed up with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, Belle and Sebastian drummer Richard Coburn, Iain Archer and his wife, singer Miriam Kaufman for a brand “country-tinged” new band called Tired Pony.

The group is currently recording in a studio in Portland, Oregon with acclaimed producer Garret “Jacknife” Lee. What’s more, according to Lightbody’s blog on the Snow Patrol website, one more unannounced musical superstar is slated to appear on the record. However, no specific details have been finalized.

And if that wasn’t enough, Paste also notes that Lightbody has already made plans for another side-project with Lee, this one an electronic project called Listen…Tanks!. A sample of what Lightbody describes as “Russian submarine music” can be heard here.