News Roundup: Neko Case, Ja Rule, RIAA, Ra Ra Riot

Breaking away from her fellow karaoke-howlin' New Pornographers early in 2008, Pitchfork reports Neko Case will hit the road all by her lonesome for a brief tour of the Northeast. Fans in cities like Tarrytown, NY, Burlington and Providence -- yeah, you with the hacky sack -- will be blessed with Case's country nuances in January and early February.

Taking a page from the Wu-Tang Clan's book, Ja Rule has gained the interpolation rights to the Beatles' tune "Eleanor Rigby," and will borrow ol' McCartney's melodies for "Judas," a track featured on his forthcoming album The Mirror, Reuters reports. Next up: "Weird Al" Yankovic covers the Fab Four. [Via thedailyswarm.com]

Unsatisfied with its victory over Middle American single mothers of the musical persuasion, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has now -- in addition to beefing up its dorm room assault -- broadened its persecution of music lovers and their cherished tunes to include music that has been legally purchased yet transferred into a computer, the Washington Post reports. Yes, in the eyes of the RIAA, you too are a hardened criminal, punk! [Via punknews.org]

Ra Ra Riot, the Syracuse-bred band that recently celebrated the life of deceased drummer John Pike with a benefit performance also featuring Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend, will push forward in 2008 with a tour set to unfold Jan. 24 in New London, CT. The 12-date outing will preview material recorded by the band in November and December alongside producer Ryan Hadlock (The Gossip, Blonde Redhead, Stephen Malkmus) for their forthcoming debut LP.

Ra Ra Riot tour dates:

1/24, New London, CT (The Oasis)
1/25, Montreal, QC (Casa Del Popolo)
1/26, Toronto, ON (El Mocambo)
1/27, Buffalo, NY (The Mohawk)
1/28, Pontiac, MI (The Crofoot)
1/29, Toledo, OH (Frankie's)
1/30, Cincinnati, OH (WOXY Studio)
1/31, Cleveland, OH (Grog Shop)
2/1, Chicago, IL (Schubas)
2/2, Madison, WI (Club 770)
2/3, Rock Island, IL (Huckleberry's Pizza Parlor)
2/5, Pittsburgh, PA (Garfield Artworks)