The Brooklyn-based act, which co-headlined an extensive tour last fall with the UK's Art Brut, has a pair of obligations in May, including an appearance tomorrow night (5/2) in New York City as part of the Tribeca Film Festival.

The band also mixes in a few summer festivals, including a July 19 slot at Chicago's Pitchfork festival, and the July 26 Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle. Details are below.

The Hold Steady worked with producer John Agnello (Son Volt, Dinosaur Jr.) on "Stay Positive," the follow-up to 2006's critically lauded "Boys and Girls in America," which Agnello also produced. Frontman Craig Finn said in a press release that the new album is a natural progression for the band, calling it "more musical ... more dynamics, different instrumentation, more complex arrangements, and not always hiding behind raw volume."

The disc was written on the road, while the band was touring behind "Boys and Girls," according to the group's publicist.

"Possibly the most exciting aspect of our band is the community of fans that have followed us around the country," added Finn in a statement. "In talking to them, we have found that no matter their ages, they are so much like us as people, that they seem at times an extension of the music.

"A great American philosopher named D. Boon once said 'Our band could be your life.' I think that is true. But 'Your Life could be Our Band' is also a true statement. I know this because we have lived it. These are our lives. These are your lives. This is our fourth record. Stay Positive."