Travis' Fran Healy and Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos have formed a supergroup.

Alex Kapranos

Alex Kapranos

The 'Flowers in the Window' singer has written two songs for the new band - also comprised of members of the bands Grandaddy, Band of Horses and US indie outfit Midlake - for their project called 'Banquet' which is expected to drop early next year.

Fran, 43, told Scotland's Daily Record: "The idea was Midlake get four singers they liked, and the singers all wrote a few songs with Midlake as the backing band.

"So there's me, Alex from Franz Ferdinand and the guys from Grandaddy and Band of Horses."

News of the supergroup comes after the departure of Franz Ferdinand guitarist Nick McCarthy from the 'Take Me Out' rock outfit.

The 41-year-old rocker - who has five-year-old son Vito Gernedel with his wife Manuela Gernedel - decided to put an end to his 14-year-career with his band to focus on his family.

In a statement, the band announced: "Nick will not be taking part in the recording or touring of the next Franz Ferdinand album.

"When we record and tour, it takes a long, full time commitment lasting a minimum of a year and a half, most of which is spent away from home. Nick has a young family and does not want to be away from them for such a long period."

Franz Ferdinand have wished Nick, who also played keyboard, all the best for the future and made it clear that he would be able to rejoin the band at anytime.

They continued: "We look forward to hearing what he gets up to. This is not necessarily a permanent situation and we will let you know if circumstances change in the future."