The Postcard Band launch their latest album of feelgood pop and clever vocal harmonies in Carlisle city centre tomorrow.

Variety Shows is the third long player from the indie pop band, who will be performing tracks at the launch in the HMV store in The Lanes shopping centre.

The trio (Andy Harper on guitar and backing vocals, Stephen Dunn on lead vocals and rhythm guitar and Andy Cairns on keyboards and backing vocals) say the songs are like different performers coming onto the stage and telling their stories, as you would get at old fashioned music hall, which is where the title Variety Shows comes from.

Dunn explains: “The opening song, A Pinch of Salt, is the tale of cutlery rebelling against how the table wanted to be laid. It harks back to the times when ladies weren’t allowed in snooker halls while gentlemen drank port and carved up the world from velvet rooms.

“We have the story of a magician’s assistant in The Lady Vanishes, and the perils of neat Napoleon Brandy in Half Past Five - brandy broke my ankle once, it should have a warning on the bottle.

“There’s a modern day horror story in Ghost Train that hides behind a very large cushion at the state of politics, and us being asked daft questions by people who should know better.

“And there’s a spot of time travel in So It’s 1989 when footballer’s shorts were far too tight and DJs were becoming the new bands.

“Like a variety show, we’ve crammed in as much as possible. There’s slight of hand, doves up sleeves and a great big spotlight on the toy box of life, all backed by a chorus line of harmonies, jangling guitars and thunderous piano.

“The songs have been going down really well live and there’s already more waiting in the wings.

“We’re chuffed to bits that HMV have invited us to launch the album in store. They’re really supportive of local music.”

The album launch will take place at the HMV store at 3.30pm. The band will be appearing on the Yam Riot stage at Kendal Calling on July 26. They will also play at the Wild on the Wall Festival at Walton on August 3, then at The Steam Packet, Kirkcudbright on August 17.