Indie Rock News (4/22/10)

(Photo taken from MySpace.com)

It's been a while since I've done a straight forward news post, even thought I rarely do any hard reporting on this site anyway. You know, some the links I post here aren't even that specific to the term "indie rock". However, I do get most of these stories from web sites that appeal to an alternative rock audience, so I'll keep calling these posts "Indie Rock News". Some interesting developments have happened since last Thursday. Mainly a lot of buzz has been going around about this year's Coachella festival, which looks to have a better line-up than Bonnaroo. Sucks to be on the east coast. So there's that, and some unfortunate and untimely deaths, which isn't good. And hey, how about this volcano in Iceland? That thing really caused some travel problems. Okay, here are some of the headlines making waves in the world of popular music.

• COACHELLA 2010!

• Broken Social Scene to release a bonus EP with new record.

• The Drums' first studio album gets a release date.

• Festivals and tours announced for these guys: Erykah Badu, The Hold Steady, Liars, Los Campesinos, and Prince.

• The Flaming Lips bring Pink Floyd's "Breathe" to Fallon.
  

• M.I.A. announces upcoming, new record.

• New music videos: The xx - "Islands" and LCD Soundsystem - "Drunk Girls".

• R.I.P. Gang Starr rapper Guru and You Say Party! We Say Die! drummer Devon Clifford.

• Sonic Youth and Phoenix both set to score different movies.

• Stream the new Broken Social Scene and The Hold Steady albums.

• Voxtrot calls it quits.

R.I.P. Alex Chilton

Alex Chilton (1950 - 2010)

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that sound."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that sound."

I never travel far, without a little Big Star.

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that sound." - The Replacements ("Alex Chilton")

Big Star - "September Gurls"

Update On The Death Of Jay Reatard

According to the College Music Journal (CMJ), Jay died of an apparently drug overdose. Two days ago, Goner Records, one of the many labels Reatard recorded for, released a statement via their website: "It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our good friend Jay Reatard. Jay died in his sleep last night. We will pass along information about funeral arrangements when they are made public." A CMJ staffer wrote, "CMJ was told by an undisclosed source close to Reatard that he died of an overdose although according to a Matador Records representative an autopsy has yet to be conducted nor the cause of death determined." More updates to come, as now a homicide is being considered.

R.I.P. Jay Reatard

Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., a.k.a. Jay Reatard, died last night in his sleep. The cause of death is unknown. This modern garage punk musician was 29 years old. The entire music scene in his native Memphis, along with the faithful fans around the country and world, mourn the death of this truly unique person. It was a privilege to play his music on our show. Rest in peace, Jay.

Jay Reatard - "I'm Watching You"

Elliott Smith: Six Years After

Six years ago today, we lost an amazing man, musician, and songwriter. Elliott was 34 when he died and working on his most ambitious album of his career. We will never get to hear the undoubtedly amazing music that would have come from his future, but we have all the music he left behind to remember him by. Beautiful, fragile, heartbreaking, and hopeful; Elliott's songs captured all the emotions of life itself, putting them into short Beatles-esque pop songs and acoustic tunes. In my opinion, the best songwriter to ever live, we will never see a talent like his again, but I am just happy to have shared in his gift, his music.

A special post is coming soon with Dave from The Rawking Refuses To Stop about the best unreleased Elliott tunes. Until then, hop on over to YouTube, or your local record store and just enjoy what he left behind. I will.

Don't You ... Forget About John

80's coming-of-age/teenage angst films director John Hughes died earlier this week of a sudden heart attack, adding yet again another popular name to the obituaries this summer. This sucks. I've always been an admirer of his work in the Vacation movies and the "Brat-Pack" flicks (The Breakfast Club is one of my all time favorites). If I didn't focus a lot of my attention on music culture or rock 'n' roll research, I like to think film would've been my desired forte. And I'd be able to throw up Mr. Hughes' name under my list of influences (if my work was worthy of any prestige, of course). Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good and Stereogum have both already written up some great tribute posts to the man, so I'm not going to even try to attempt to one up those guys. They're posts are here and here. However, I will add a music video, just to make this post seem the tiniest bit more flashy. R.I.P John Hughes. Thank you for your work and your life.

Simple Minds - "Don't You (Forget About Me)"

R.I.P. King Of Pop

Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

Continuing coverage at MTV.com, CCN.com, and any other world news/music/pop culture outlet

"Billie Jean" from 1982's Thriller.


Update: MTV and many radio stations around the globe are paying tribute to the fallen King of Pop by playing his music all day long. Even in death, he still has the power to captivate the masses. MTV is doing a good thing here; even on Twitter, many people are commenting on MTV's bold decision to play Michael's music videos throughout the day, starting yesterday after the official announcement of his passing. Finally, some respect to music videos, along with respect for one of the greatest entertainers of all time.