Alex Band, former lead singer of the band The Calling, is planning to release his first full length solo album in 2009. To tide fans over until the album is out, he's released a five song self titled EP featuring songs that didn't make the album.

"I must have written over 200 songs in the last 3 years for this first solo album of mine, with only 14 of them actually being fully recorded for the album," Band told Alternative Addiction in a recent interview. "So there were some left over that we really liked and wanted to make available to the fans."

The EP also contains two songs that Band wrote since wrapping up his last recording sessions for the new album. They could possibly wind up on the new album. The five song EP is available now for download on Alternative Addiction in the AA Downloads section.

Band has been working to release his solo debut for quite some time now, and even considered releasing it on a major label. In the end, he decided to release it independently.

"It seems more and more like the way to go in this rapidly changing business," explained Band. "With that said, we may use the help of a major label in some way to get this album in all the countries around the world where I've had success, since doing that completely independent is pretty much impossible."

Band says he is enjoying his freedom as an independent artist, but at the same time knows he has a lot of work ahead of him.

"[It's] both exciting and daunting," says Band. "I'm really looking forward to finally getting this album out and calling the shots myself. I definitely feel I have been taken advantage of by the majors in the past in a number of ways, so to now be able to keep an eye on everything is a liberating experience."

Originally signing a deal with RCA records when he was just 15, Band released two albums as part of The Calling, although he says the image of him as a member of a larger band was more of a marketing concept by the label than it was a reality.

"Contrary to the image of The Calling that RCA put out there for our first record in 2001, we always hired players to accompany us on tour and that's all they were," said Band. "This caused great confusion and ultimately led to our second Calling record where we tried to be clearer on the make-up of the band."

The actual members of The Calling was comprised of just Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin, who co-wrote all of The Calling's music with him. Over the years, Band's relationship with Kamin has become strained, and the two no longer speak.

"I don't have a close relationship with him anymore and I'm not even sure if he's still in the business, but it would be great to put all aside and sit down with him some day and write," said Band.

Alex Band will continue playing one-off shows through the end of the year, and then start a full tour in early 2009. He also plans to release a concert DVD from a recent show he played in Brazil.

For More on Alex Band visit www.myspace.com/alexbandmusic or www.alexmaxband.com