Though we like to think otherwise, the news doesn’t stop during South by Southwest. Instead, everyone (aka bloggers, publicists, bands, etc.) just divert their attention for a week in favor of the endless supply of free music, alcohol, and beer koozies. In an effort to catch everyone up to speed, we took some time to put together a recap with bullets points on all of last week’s headlines. So, now you can both brag about going to SXSW and pretend like you didn’t miss anything (or just the latter if you weren’t one of the lucky ones).
The Dead Weather will release its sophomore LP, Sea of Cowards, on May 11th. Get ready to hear the first single, “Die By The Drop”, tomorrow.
As previously reported, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood recently completed his latest orchestral project, “Doghouse”. Per TwentyFourBit, the BBC is currently streaming Greenwood’s recent debut performance of the number, as well as an accompanying interview. This is a one week only type of thing, however, so you better hurry.
It turns out the album that Beck, St. Vincent, Liars, and Os Mutantes will be covering as part of the latest edition of Mr. Hansen’s “Record Club” will be none other than INXS’ 1987 classic, Kick. Yeah, go figure.
Speaking of St. Vincent, last Monday, David Byrne revealed that he has been working with the musician born Annie Clark on a project similar to The Dirty Projectors and Björk’s recent extravaganza at New York City’s Housing Works. Details remain sketchy, but Byrne notes eight songs have already been written.
Outkast’s Big Boi has signed with Def Jam recorded for the release of his forthcoming solo album, Sir Luscious Left Foot, which is expected to finally be released this May. Or so they say.
Per a recent interview with Kerrang magazine (via AA), Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong revealed that the band is already working on a followup to 2009’s 21st Century Breakdown.
Though MGMT has moved onto much different things these days, Sigur Rós’ Jónsi is still a fan of the band’s 2008 hit “Time To Pretend”. So much so in fact that he recently covered the number at BBC Radio 1. Stream the end result here.
Another high-profile cover comes in the form of The Dirty Projectors’ recent rendition of Bob Dylan’s 1985 song “Dark Eyes”. Stereogum has the mp3 for your listening pleasure.
The Black Keys have offered the first taste off their forthcoming studio album, Brothers, this in the form of the Danger Mouse-produced first single, “Tighten Up”.
What better way to celebrate an album’s 10th anniversary than by reissuing it on the wonderful event that is Record Store Day. Modest Mouse thought so too, and will do just that when they re-live 2000’s The Moon & Antarctica on April 17th.
The music industry made $18 in 2009. In other news, Universal Records is lowering CD prices.
Finally, The Replacements’ Paul Westerberg took to the New York Times on Sunday to offer an op-ed on the death of Big Star’s Alex Chilton, while surviving Big Star members Jody Stephens, Jon Auer, and Ken Stringfellow paid tribute to their former band by taking the stage at South by Southwest with a guest list that included R.E.M.’s Mike Mogis, M. Ward, Chuck Prophet, Sondre Lerche, and X’s John Doe. (Alright, so at least one thing relates to SXSW, but can you blame us?)
On the festival front, Arcade Fire is reportedly playing two upcoming Canadian Music Festivals — Osheaga and Quebec City Summer Festival. Gathering of the Vibes unveiled its initial lineup for 2010, Summerfest announced Modest Mouse, The Roots, O.A.R., and more, and Summer Camp made a slew of additions. Finally, more names are rumored for Glastonbury.
