Scottish post-rockers Mogwai will launch a world tour to promote their third album, Rock Action, on March 17 at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas.

The band — singer/guitarist Stuart Braithwaite, guitarist Dominic Aitchison, guitarist John Cummings, drummer Martin Bulloch and keyboardist Barry Burns — will play eight North American dates before heading to Japan and Europe.

Rock Action, due April 24 on Matador Records, includes horn and string sections and has been described by the guitar-friendly band as "the most ambitious set of recordings that Mogwai have ever done."

Super Furry Animals singer Gruff Rhys and Chavez guitarist Matt Sweeney make guest appearances on the album, which was produced by Mercury Rev's Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Elf Power). Fridmann also co-produced and engineered Mogwai's most recent album, 1999's Come on Die Young.

Mogwai tour dates, according to Matador Records:

3/17 - Austin, TX @ Music Hall

3/18 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre

3/19 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's 365 Club

3/21 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox

3/24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

3/25 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House

3/27 - Boston, MA @ Somerville Theatre

3/28 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza