LIKE many bands facing up to the challenges of making a living in the internet age, Idlewild are taking control of their own destiny.

Late last year, the band sent an e-mail to fans offering them a chance to pre-order their new album and have their name appear in the CD booklet and on a roll-call on the band's website in return.

Lead singer Roddy Woomble said at the time: "After 11 years of recording and releasing records within the constraints of the record industry we now feel that the time is right and the technology exists for us to deal more quickly and directly with the fans.

"It also allows us total control of our music and will ultimately mean that should you choose to get involved you will hear our music as soon as it is available. Although the album will have a more traditional release some time later in 2009."

That new album, Post Electric Blues, will be out soon and will be the seventh from a band formed by photography student Roddy in Scotland in 1995.

They scored their first UK Top 10 hit with You Held the World in Your Arms in 2001 and by the time the album Warnings/Promises appeared in 2005 were established performers supporting both U2 and REM on stadium gigs that summer.

But with less and less money to be made from traditional methods for all but the biggest acts, Idlewild have now decided to break free from the usual constraints.

Roddy told Qt: "It was the best way for us to do things this time around. The music industry is changing so much, that for a band with an established fan base, selling music directly to people who want to buy it is the most sensible thing. The new album is a good one, full of memorable songs, I hope.

"The internet has changed the record industry so much over the last decade."

But will it be ultimately beneficial or harmful to Idlewild's career?

"It's hard to tell," said Roddy. "People still like the band and our songs and it's hard to know if the internet has played a part in this. I suspect it has.

"But bands find it harder to make a living out of music now though, so that's a bad side, obviously. But you can't halt progress."

Idlewild return to Derby with a gig at The Rockhouse this week, something Roddy is eagerly anticipating.

"We'll be playing a mixture of old and new songs," he says. "The concert is a preparation for the gigs in London where we'll be running through an entire back catalogue.

"Recording and playing live are so different. Writing and recording songs is harder work than live gigs. Gigs can be hard work too but, ultimately, more satisfying as one can see the reaction straight away."

Despite the problems facing all music-makers at the moment, Roddy can't conceive of doing anything else.

"I didn't think about it really, it just happened," he said. "I think we're a good band though, and ultimately that's why we're still around.

"I've been in bands since I was 14 and I've been an avid music fan since then, so I suppose it makes sense."

And Roddy wouldn't change any of it.

"Well I can't, so no I wouldn't want to," he says. "The mistakes are an important part of learning anyway.''

IDLEWILD

WHERE: The Rockhouse, Babington Lane, Derby.

WHEN: Sunday (doors open 8pm).

TICKETS: £14 in advance.

CALL: 01332 209236 or visit www.therockhousederby.co.uk.