Craig Finn, frontman of the critically acclaimed group The Hold Steady, has confirmed the January 23 release of his debut solo album, ‘Clear Heart Full Eyes,’ on Full Time Hobby Records. He will also be playing an intimate instore gig at Rough Trade East, London on Wed 25th January at 7pm in support of the release. You can find more information about this show here.

The album has come together through a very rigid and disciplined structure, with Finn putting all his efforts into it. During it’s creation, the frontman challenged himself to write a new song every day in his Brooklyn apartment. “I had written a bunch of songs that were outside of the norm for The Hold Steady, a little quieter and perhaps more narrative,” he says. “I wanted to gain some experience and insight into the process of making a record by working with new people.”

Finn travelled to Austin, Texas in July, removing himself from all familiar surroundings, to record the album with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead). Of the album’s title, Finn says, ”It’s a juxtaposed reference to ‘Friday Night Lights,’ a TV show that excited and moved me and also happened in Texas. Further, ‘Clear Heart’ signifies honesty and transparency, and ‘Full Eyes’ suggests experience.”

You can pre-order the album and recieve a bunch of additional Full Time Hobby goodies here.

Craig has also released a ‘making of’ video about the record.