[Updated: 4:53 P.M.]
NEWS:
- FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS‘ HBO Series Canceled
“We won’t be returning for a third season,” the New Zealand comedy duo says of their eponymous sitcom. [SPIN]
- Songwriter for JAY-Z‘s “Empire State of Mind” Marvels at Track’s Success
Angela Hunte co-wrote the song about her hometown with a friend and sent it to HOVA. [Billboard]
- TV ON THE RADIO, MICHEL GONDRY Draw Portraits of DAVID BOWIE for New Book
Lightning Bolt drummer Brian Chippendale also contributed to the collection, called The Thin White Sketchbook. [Pitchfork]
- JIMI HENDRIX Live Albums Set for January Release
1967-1968 Paris and Ottowa performances will arrive as a CD/vinyl package with a T-shirt and other goodies. [NME]
- NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL‘s JEFF MANGUM, YO LA TENGO, MOUNTAIN GOATS on New Benefit Comp
The covers compilation benefits the Tall Dwarfs’ Chris Knox, who suffered a life-altering stroke last June. [Merge Records]
- WHITE STRIPES Live Box Set Due in March
Under Great White Northern Lights will include a DVD of their 2007 Canadian tour and tons of other live material. [Pitchfork]
- YEASAYER Debut Psychedelic ‘Odd Blood’ Cover Art
The new album drops Feb. 9 via Secretly Canadian. [Pitchfork]
- NO DOUBT Counter-Sued by Activision Over ‘Band Hero’ Game
Activision accused SoCal quartet of breach of contract, the same claim the band made in their original suit against the company. [NME]
- THERMALS Talk About “Brutal” New Album
“A lot of the songs are pretty brutal lyrically. It’s really negative thoughts about love and relationships,” says Hutch Harris. [Paste]
- KAREN O‘s ‘WILD THINGS’ Song Scores Grammy Nod
After Miley Cyrus is disqualified, “All is Love” steps up for Best Song Written for a Soundtrack. [SPIN]
- LIL WAYNE‘s ‘Rebirth’ Delayed… Again
Weezy’s rock-influenced release now scheduled for February. [MTV]
- GYM CLASS HEROES Recording New Album
“It’s definitely going back to the essence of [the band],” Travis McCoy says of PCC II‘s sound. [SPIN]
- SONIC YOUTH to Record Their 17th Album in 2010
New York band is also working on a new DVD and digitizing demos, rarities from their 30-year history. [BBC]
- AXL ROSE Gets Into ‘Bloody’ Fight with Papparazi at L.A. Airport
Rocker’s pissy mood forces him to miss Guns ‘N Roses’ first soundcheck of their Asian tour. [Live Daily]
- BON IVER Releases Live Album
A Decade with Duke, featuring Justin Vernon’s high school jazz band, benefits the school’s music program. [NME]
- EDDIE VEDDER Gets Engaged
Pearl Jam frontman proposes to Jill McCormick, his longtime girlfriend and mother of his two daughters. [E!Online]
- TORI AMOS Celebrates the Season at SPIN Office
At an intimate, private show, the piano goddess elegantly reimagines the holiday spirit. [SPIN]
MP3s & VIDEOS:
- WATCH: KRISTEN STEWART Talks Music in ’09
Looking back on the expiring year, the New Moon star reveals the songs that helped her on set. [SPIN]
- WATCH: HOT CHIP‘s New Video
UK dance band mix nerdy dance moves with aerial camera work in the video for “One Life Stand.” [Pitchfork]
- WATCH: LADY GAGA Discusses Her Bisexuality with Barbara Walters
Babs named Gaga one of the ’10 Most Interesting People of 2009.’ [Prefix Mag]
- LISTEN: PORTISHEAD Release Stunning New Song
Bonus: Paid downloads of the track benefit Amnesty International on Human Rights Day! [SPIN]
- LISTEN: FALL OUT BOY Drummer’s New Project
PREMIERE: Andy Hurley forms Burning Empires. Check out their heavy, politically-charged song! [SPIN]
- WATCH: BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB Play ‘Live’
Blues-rock band tease their new live CD/DVD with “Berlin” and “Weapon of Choice.” [Spinner]