[Updated: 6:57 P.M.]
NEWS:
- CONOR OBERST‘s Band DESAPARECIDOS Reunite for Immigration Benefit Gig
Oberst will also perform with Bright Eyes on July 31 in Omaha to protest a new law targeting illegal immigrants. [Omaha]
- TRENT REZNOR and His Wife MARIQUEEN MAANDIG Expecting First Baby
“It’s like here’s a brand-new life and you’re in charge of it, now go!” said Maandig. [Women’s Wear Daily]
- THE TING TINGS Finish Recording Second Album In Berlin
“It’s very different to the first one. It’s still us and it’s still pop. It’s just huge,” singer Katie White said of the duo’s new LP. [BBC Newsbeat]
- RIHANNA and KE$HA Kick-Off Wild Summer Tour
Two of pop music’s feistiest females get the party started in Vancouver, BC. [SPIN]
- MUMFORD & SONS, LAURA MARLING to Release Collaborative EP
The four-track EP, recorded in 2009 while on tour in India, features Rajasthani folk collective Dharohar Project. [Mumford & Sons]
- THE STROKES‘ New Album Due in March
Frontman Julian Casablancas says the New York rockers are “almost halfway” finished with the LP. [SPIN]
- M.I.A.: ‘I Wrote the Perfect Song for JAY-Z
The Sri Lankan rapper also said that she “really wants to produce” for the Brooklyn-born Hova. [MTV]
- CONOR OBERST Writes Open Letter to Opponents of Arizona Boycott
Troubadour targets “money and power” hungry Arizona politicians, who are “engaged in blatant class warfare. It is evil, pure and simple.” [Billboard]
- PRINCE: “The Internet’s Completely Over!”
The Purple One disses technology in an interview promoting his new album, 20Ten. [SPIN]
- LIZ PHAIR Releases New Album, Raps on First Single!
Singer-songwriter drops the 11-song effort Funstyle. Hear “Bollywood” now. [Exclaim]
- TRENT REZNOR Scores Facebook Movie
NIN mastermind works on The Social Network, starring Justin Timberlake and Rashida Jones. [SPIN]
- AMY WINEHOUSE Forms New Band with THE ROOTS Drummer
The unnamed group also features producer Raphael Saadiq on guitar. [The Sun]
- JAMES CAMERON to Direct 3-D BLACK EYED PEAS Movie
Avatar director is filming a tour documentary in South America, which will premiere in theaters. [BBC]
MP3s & VIDEOS:
- WATCH: LIL WAYNE Ashes Blunt in Grammy Statue
What happens inside Weezy’s luxury Miami condo at 5 A.M.? Click here to find out. [SPIN]
- LISTEN: SMASHING PUMPKINS Release New Song
Hear “Freak,” a poppy single from Billy Corgan and Co. [SPIN]
- LISTEN: New OF MONTREAL Track
“Hydra Fancies” is a bouncy song from the Athens, GA, group’s new LP False Priest, out Sept. 14. [Some Kind of Awesome]
- LISTEN: LIZ PHAIR‘s Weird New Single
Exile in Guyville singer unexpectedly releases new album with rap-esque lead track. Hear it now. [SPIN]
- LISTEN: PETE WENTZ Releases New Song
Fall Out Boy bassist links to mysterious new girl-fronted synth pop song under the name Black Cards. [SPIN]
- LISTEN: WAVVES Drop Album Early to Combat Leak
King of the Beach from the indie SoCal outfit gets a pushed-forward digital release. Hear it now! [SPIN]