Patrick Wolf is asking fans to invest in his new album by becoming shareholders in his recently-launched record label.

For £10 a pop punters can help cover production costs for a new double-disc LP, Battle, due for release in spring 2009 on Bloody Chamber Music. In return they weill receive benefits such as exclusive gig tickets and limited edition albums.

Wolf said: "It's the beginning of the future for artists and musicians in the music industry. There's no way we can rely on conglomerate, corporate companies anymore.

"Basically, you can invest in the finishing of the album and the production of it, and you get a share in the album. So you almost become part of the record company, like a co-owner of the album."

Speaking about the album, Wolf said things took a turn for the unexpectedly chipper following initial plans to make a "dark and solipsistic record with no hope at the end - very much how I felt".

What prompted the sudden rethink? What do you reckon?

"Something fantastic happened just as I was about to start that journey and I had all these songs to record - I fell in love."

Sod it. Our money was on 'small lottery win'.

Wolf said: "One disc is a pure nihilistic battle record, and the second is battles of love."

Sounds... pretentious, actually. The boy does have a knack for a tune though. This one's not bad:

Patrick Wolf, 'The Magic Position'