Beth Orton, Mark Eitzel and Lisa Loeb will represent both the lighter and darker sides of folk-based alternative music when they gather for a free show at Central Park's Summer Stage on July 11.

Meanwhile Orton, who contributed vocals to both of the Chemical Brothers' records and is riding a wave of critical and commercial acclaim for her new single, "Best Bit," is in the studio recording her follow-up to 1996's "Trailer Park."

Orton is working on her new album with producer Youth, who oversaw the Verve's "Urban Hymns." Orton is also writing and recording tracks with Ben Watt from Everything But the Girl for the project.

Beth Orton's new album is tentatively scheduled for release in the fall.

• Mark Eitzel
• Lisa Loeb
• Beth Orton

July 21 [10:00 EDT] -- Mark Eitzel and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck are reportedly at it again.

The "San Francisco Chronicle" reports that Eitzel and Buck will spend this week in Seattle writing songs for their next album together.

The two previously teamed up to write and record Eitzel's solo effort, "West," which was released to critical praise, but little commercial success, earlier this year. The two then hit the road with another Buck project, Tuatara, that saw the two playing intimate dates across the U.S.

Buck's continued collaboration with Eitzel does not mean that R.E.M. has taken a back seat.

The "Chronicle" reports that the band was in San Francisco recently looking for a place to record their next album. The group also reportedly plans to tour this time out, and the "Chronicle" reports that Buck has asked Screaming Trees' Barrett Martin to join the band to provide "additional percussion" on the road.

• Mark Eitzel
• R.E.M.