An Essex musician is launching an ambitious new project which includes an album and graphic novel.

Kevin Pearce, who recently finished touring with Turin Brakes and has performed with Beth Orton, reproduced the lyrics to new album Dynamite in the story of a graphic novel by the same name – both due for release at the end of the month.

The multi-media venture features Turin Brakes’ Olly Knights and Chelmsford-born Tom McRae on the track Bedlam – the video for which can be seen on youtube.

The album was recorded at Pearce’s home studio in Mistley and will be available digitally, and on CD and limited vinyl. He recruited long-time collaborator Dean Honer to produce the album, and has signed a deal with publisher Markosia to release his work worldwide.

He said: “The first song I wrote for the album has a lyric that says: ‘We cant go on living like Dynamite’. That line sounded to me like a metaphor and also the name of a person or character.

“I then got thinking, what if Dynamite was a type of superhero or vigilante? This took me to another of my loves, comic books, and that I could explore playing with the idea of perhaps embedding the songs in a story about the character and using the character to influence more songs.”

Pearce’s latest work has already received airplay on BBC radio from hosts Dermot O’Leary, Bob Harris and Janice Long.

To tie in with the release, Pearce will perform at Colchester Arts Centre on October 30.

He said that touring with Turin Brakes had been the biggest boost to his music career to date, playing 30 gigs in a month and realising a dream by performing at Shepherd’s Bush Empire to 2,000 people. He said: “I have since become really good friends with them all and they have even collaborated on my new album with me. They are a phenomenal band live and keep getting better with every album they release.”

Visit kevinpearcemusic.com for more news and information.