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February 20, 2009
Shorties (Robyn Hitchcock, Juana Molina, and more)
NPR's Day to Day interviews Robyn Hitchcock about his new album, Goodnight Oslo.
The Boston Globe profiles singer-songwriter Juana Molina.
The Seattle Times profiles singer-songwriter-whistler Andrew Bird.
While Bird's albums are painstakingly crafted ("My approach to recording is like a long, drawn-out performance where I go into the studio for four days, hardly eat, hardly sleep, never take a break to lose focus"), his performances teeter on improvisational daring. They're captivating: Either solo or backed by a small band, Bird sings and plucks and whistles that strange, mournful whistle while simultaneously operating a digital looping machine with his feet.
Decider Milwaukee interviews Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers.
D: How would you describe the new record?
PH: It’s going to be a big, fun rock record. We’re all pretty committed to the next one being pretty rock. The last record certainly had its big rock moments, but at the same time a lot of it was pretty introspective and had a spooky mood to it. I thrive on that, but I’d like to see this one come out of the gate pretty much as a barnstormer. I think it’s time for us to make one of those kind of records.
Drowned in Sound interviews singer-songwriter Emmy the Great.
DiS: If you weren’t doing this, what do you think you’d be doing?
I always wanted to be a writer. My whole life I’ve wanted to be a writer. But…I would always try and write a story, then think of a plot, and be like, "I can’t be bothered to write it – I’ve already thought of the plot." Whenever I read a story, I’m not reading it for the style hardly ever – I’m always reading it for the plot. So that’s why I write songs maybe, ‘cause I find it easier. But if I stopped writing songs…I like writing generically. I’d end up doing something like writing for a 'paper about carpets. And then in the evening I’d write Mills & Boon or something like that.
Amazon MP3 is selling the 16-track P Is for Panda Mix Tape Vol. 1 for only $1.89.
Abe Books lists the funniest books according to a poll of its UK customers.
Geekdad points out Watchmen film merchandise appearing on store shelves, including condoms and coffee.
IGN lists the top 10 Nine Inch Nails albums.
Minnesota Public Radio's The Current had Antony and the Johnsons in the studio for an interview and in-studio performance.
The Black and White points out the Southern Literary Trail.
The Washington Post's Short Stack blog lists 5 great books about punk rock.
Bookscreening is a blog dedicated to book video trailers.
?uestlove of the Roots talks to the Associated Press about the band's upcoming gig as house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
"This would basically match or surpass what we would make touring 200-plus days out of the year. And, two, this allows us to be home," he said.
SXSW has put a streaming music player of artists participating in the 2009 music conference.
Minnesota Public Radio's The Current features singer-songwriter Alela Diane with an interview and in-studio performance.
NPR excerpts from Karan Mahajan's debut novel, Family Planning.
The Decemberists are holding a design contest for their NPR SXSW showcase performance.
Mashable lists the top online tools for musicians.
also at Largehearted Boy:
Online "best of 2008" music lists
Online "best of 2008" book lists
daily mp3 downloads
Try It Before You Buy It (mp3s and full album streams from this week's CD releases)
weekly music & DVD release lists
tags: music books popculture indie news
