The Middle East are currently recording their debut full length at home in Townsville, Queensland, but the moment Summer hits they’re taking to the road for a long list of shows across Australia.

December through February sees The Middle East perform in major cities across the country, with large and more intimate shows on the schedule. The band will headline shows with support from Emma Russack (soon to release her debut E.P. through Spunk Records), as well as perform at Homebake Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Sydney Festival, Laneway Festival, and support the enigmatic Cat Power and beloved indie New Yorkers Grizzly Bear.

The band’s debut E.P ‘The Recordings of The Middle East’ is currently available in North American, and will be released in Japan this December via the highly regarded P-Vine label. The E.P. is also scheduled for release in the UK and Europe January 2010.

In other news, the band’s debut single ‘Blood’ has just been used in the advertising campaign for Sydney Festival 2010, which you can see below. Three cheers for The Middle East!