Blood Meridian, an offshoot of Black Mountain bassist Matthew Camirand, will release its debut album, "Kick Up the Dust," Aug. 8 via V2. The set was recorded in a two-week burst last summer on Vancouver Island. Camirand plays acoustic guitar and handles lead vocals, a departure from his Black Mountain duties.

"With this album, we went into the studio with very low expectations," Camirand explains to Billboard.com. "At the time there wasn't a label in the picture, weren't doing it for anybody. Therefore, it was a real fun experience, and we weren't on the clock, with that pressure to record."

While Black Mountain's sound is lo-fi and guitar-heavy, Blood Meridian dabbles in country and R&B traditions. "Most of the songs were written in my bedroom, and some out on tour with Black Mountain," says Camirand. "I think it's a pretty hopeful record, too. But I can see why others will think its not."

The name "Blood Meridian" is a direct reference to the 1985 Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name. "I had just finished that book up and it hit me like a ton of bricks," Camirand says. "I often get inspired after I read some good literature, especially that Southern, gothic style."

Although nothing is firm, Blood Meridian plans to tour through the end of the year. Black Mountain is also uncertain about when it will reactivate, but it will most likely not be until early 2007.