Ben Harper [ tickets ] & The Innocent Criminals have lined up several US dates ahead of the March 21 release of their new album, "Both Sides of the Gun."

Harper and his band will play the shows without an opening act, kicking off Feb. 18 with a two-stand in Los Angeles. The band is also featured on the bill of two upcoming music festivals, with a March 11 appearance at the Langerado festival in Sunrise, FL, and two April dates at Hawaii's Kokua festival.

Harper--a singer/songwriter known for his virtuosity on the acoustic steel guitar--also announced a five-date June engagement at the historic Olympia in Paris, France. Harper's full overseas itinerary can be found at his website.

"Both Sides of the Gun" is Harper's seventh studio album and first since 2003's "Diamonds on the Inside." A streaming preview of the first single from the new album, "Better Way," is available on Harper's website.

In 2004, Harper collaborated on a side-project with The Blind Boys of Alabama, which resulted in an album titled "There Will Be a Light" and the 2005 concert DVD "Live at the Apollo."