Nada Surf maps 'Lucky' spring tour

Alt-rockers Nada Surf have lined up a spring headlining run as they begin to plot support behind their latest studio album, "Lucky," which drops early next month.

The New York trio already had a few US dates on its itinerary, including four acoustic-only shows later this month, beginning with a Jan. 30 appearance in Seattle. The new shows follow a European outing slated for February and March, with the band returning from its trip in time for an appearance at the mid-March SXSW music conference in Austin, TX.

The newly announced shows kick off March 17 in Tempe, AZ, with 20 cities mapped on the trek so far. Domestic dates are below; see the band's website for the overseas schedule.

"Lucky," co-produced by the band and veteran indie producer John Goodmanson (Death Cab for Cutie, Blonde Redhead), is the New York City-based trio's fifth album and third for Seattle indie label Barsuk Records. The set, due in stores Feb. 5, also was recorded in Seattle, and features guest appearances from several notables, including Death Cab's Ben Gibbard, singer/songwriter Ed Harcourt and John Roderick of The Long Winters, among others.

The band brainstormed ideas for the new LP last year in bassist Daniel Lorca's Brooklyn home, according to an October press release announcing the set. "We got together in the loft," Lorca said, "and we just played. It was such a low-pressure atmosphere. Some days, instead of sticking to the game plan, we'd play acoustic and cook dinner. Other times, we'd just mess around, have a few laughs and a few drinks and play garage riffs over and over, whatever."

Nada Surf--Lorca, singer/guitarist Matthew Caws and drummer Ira Elliot--rose to fame in the mid-'90s with the alt-rock hit "Popular." The cut was featured on the band's debut album, "High/Low," which former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek produced.