[Updated: 6:14 P.M.]
NEWS:
- JAY REATARD Dead at 29
The garage-punk rocker passes in his sleep at home in Memphis, TN. [SPIN]
- WYCLEF JEAN Travels to Earthquake Ravaged Haiti
Haitian-born musician take to Twitter to request a “state of emergency,” rushes to deliver aid. [Gigwise]
- VAMPIRE WEEKEND Kick Off Tour in L.A.
The Ivy Leaguers air tracks from their cosmopolitan new album at sold out show. [SPIN]
- KE$HA Topples SUSAN BOYLE, Hits No. 1 on Charts
Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Alicia Keys also appear in the Top 10. [Billboard]
- JOANNA NEWSOM Announces New Album
The freak-folk queen’s third full length, “Have One On Me,” drops Feb. 23. [Spunk]
- STROKES Work Out Internal Problems, Begin Recording New Album
“Everyone is working as a group… Which is amazing,” says Julian Casablancas. “But that’s only happening now.”[NyMag]
- M.I.A. Releases New Song and Video
But is the electro jam off the Sri Lanka-born star’s upcoming album? [SPIN]
- LLOYD BANKS Released from Jail, Detained by Canadian Immigration
G-Unit member expected to be released later this week for role in alleged assault and robbery. [MTV]
- COURTNEY LOVE Gets Inked
The Hole frontwoman posts pics of her new tattoos online. [SPIN]
- Soundtrack for TIM BURTON‘s ‘ALICE’ Movie Revealed
Franz Ferdinand, Wolfmother, and Avril Lavigne confirmed for the director’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland re-do. [SPIN]
- New DR. DOG Album Due in April
Philly band team with producer extraordinaire Rob Schnapf for Shame, Shame. [SPIN]
- M.I.A. Blasts ‘NEW YORK TIMES’ Over Sri Lanka Report
Sri Lankan-born singer scolds the paper for writing a rosy report about tourism in her native land, posts photo of civil war. [Twitter]
- KAREN O AND THE KIDS to Tour Behind ‘WILD THINGS’ Soundtrack?
YYYs banshee adds that she hopes to work with the same group of musicians, including members of Deerhunter, Dead Weather, and more. [Variety]
- ROKY ERICKSON Recruits OKKERVIL RIVER for New Album
Austin, TX, indie band backs the psych-rock pioneer on the whole record, and frontman Will Sheff produces. [Pitchfork]
MP3s & VIDEOS:
- WATCH: ALL-STAR ROCKERS Cover ‘STAND BY ME’
Members of Underoath, Anberlin, Copeland and more play the classic song at TWLOHA’s annual concert in Orlando. [SPIN]
- WATCH: FANFARLO Play Acoustic at SPIN HQ
The hottest new band from the U.K. play four songs — including a gorgeous ditty about Armageddon! [SPIN]
- LISTEN: New DUM DUM GIRLS Track!
The lo-fi punk group re-record “Jail La La” for their Sub Pop debut, I Will Be, out March 30.[Gorilla Vs. Bear]
- LISTEN: MY MORNING JACKET Covers Archive!
From the Who to Danzing, 50 of the Southern band’s live covers are compiled into a neat, tidy list. [You Aint No Picasso]
- WATCH: VAMPIRE WEEKEND Unplugged
As their sophomore set finally arrives, the NYC lads make their debut on MTV Unplugged. [SPIN]
- LISTEN: Exclusive: New SHOUT OUT LOUDS Song
Like Peter Bjorn and John… but with seasonal affective disorder. Which is awesome! [SPIN]