A year after The Maccabees revealed plans to split their former frontman, Orlando Weeks, has announced details of his debut book, The Gritterman. A companion album will be released alongside it.
Weeks wrote the accompanying music with help from Grammy-winning producer Markus Dravs (Björk, Arcade Fire, Florence & The Machine, The Maccabees) and pianist David O’Dowda. Actor and comedian Paul Whitehouse narrates the work.
The book’s protagonist is an ice cream man whose true passion is gritting roads. After The Gritterman is told his services are no longer needed, the story follows his final night at the job he loves.
Weeks said: “A lot of people’s work goes unrecognised and this is one of those jobs where that’s the case. To just go about your business and not need thanks is a very attractive quality, and he finds comfort in that sense of purpose.”
The Gritterman will be released via Particular Books/Penguin on September 7. The companion album will be available on all digital streaming platforms the same day. The book is now available for pre-order.
Click below to listen to Seasonal Hero, the first track to be unveiled from the project.
The band played a run of farewell shows at London's Alexandra Palace last month, they also performed a fundraiser for the MS Society at London venue Omeara in June.
By Zoë MacLellan
