INTERVIEWSThursday's Music Roundup

[Updated: 6:25 P.M.]

NEWS:

New DEAD WEATHER Album Almost Finished
Jack White says his quartet's sophomore set might be ready as early as April. Click for details. [SPIN]

Update: FALL OUT BOY Downplay Breakup Chatter
The musicians take to Twitter to combat talk of their demise -- with humor and some famous guest stars. [SPIN]

DRAKE Is 'Down' for TAYLOR SWIFT Collabo
"I just like her whole being," said the rapper. [Extra]

MARY J. BLIGE, TRAVIS BARKER Cover "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN"
R&B singer, Blink-182 drummer -- joined by Idol's Randy Jackson and two guitar aces -- break the "No Stairway" rule. [SPIN]

THEM CROOKED VULTURES to Record Second Album in 2010
It's got to be good – we've got reputations to uphold more than anything else.," said bassist John Paul Jones. [Stuff.Co.NZ]

HOLD STEADY Announce Spring Tour
Brooklyn band will hit the road -- minus departed keyboardist Franz Nicolay -- for a 12 dates across the Northeastern U.S. [Pitchfork]

Unreleased WEEZER, WEEN, DONNAS Songs on Benefit Compilation
Tracks are part of a pay-what-you-want download to raise money for cancer research via TargetCancer. [Right Track Tunes]

EDDIE VEDDER Covers BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN for Haiti
Buy a download of "My City of Ruins" -- performed live at a 2009 tribute to the Boss - to give aid to earthquake victims. [AOL Radio Blog]

3OH!3, COBRA STARSHIP, TRAVIS MCCOY to Play BAMBOOZLE Chicago
The fest's new stop is scheduled for Saturday, May 15 at the Charter One Pavilion. [Alt-Press]

MICHAEL JACKSON's Doctor to be Arraigned Friday
Prosecutors plan to charge Dr. Conrad Murray with involuntary manslaughter. [Billboard]

JAY REATARD Killed by Cocaine and Alcohol Overdose
The Memphis medical examiner reveals the cause of the garage-punk rocker's January death. [SPIN]

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Tap BEIRUT, ST. VINCENT, TED LEO for New Record
Together drops May 4.[Paste Magazine ]

STROKES Start Recording in New York Studio
Downtown rockers tap Beck, U2, and Bjork producer for their upcoming release. [SPIN]

BREAKING: More FALL OUT BOY Fallout
Following Patrick Stump's comments about the band's future, drummer Andy Hurley admits: "I dont know what's going to happen." [SPIN]

FLAMING LIPS to Play 'Dark Side of the Moon' at Bonnaroo
"We did it at the New Year's Eve show just knowing everybody's gonna be taking acid," said Wayne Coyne. [Spinner]

NNEKA -- SPIN Artist for 2010 -- Wows in NYC Gig
The Nigerian-born soul-hopper celebrates her record release with low-key yet captivating set. [SPIN]

The End for Influential Rap Label DEF JUX?
Founder El-P says he's "wrapping up the label in it's current form." [Def Jux]

MP3s & VIDEOS:

LISTEN: 'ALICE IN WONDERLAND' Soundtrack
Preview new songs from Franz Ferdinand, Wolfmother, Owl City, and more! [SPIN]

WATCH: 'JERSEY SHORE' Star SNOOKI Interviews PHOENIX
"Do you have guidos in France?" [SPIN]

WATCH: GIRLS Debut New Song Live!
SPIN's favorite new band from 2009 play "Honey Bunny" in New Orleans. [Stereogum]

LISTEN: New SHE & HIM Song!
PLUS: Zooey Deschanel to star in a new HBO series about rock groupies! [SPIN]

WATCH: MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK Rock Fallon
Minneapolis band play "Her Words Destroyed My Planet," off their latest album My Dinosaur Life. [YouTube]

WATCH: New MASSIVE ATTACK Video
A monstrous rabbit attacks a city in the sleek video for "Splitting The Atom." [Music Slut]