Music news for you to use
03/03/08 18:37
By SAM LADACH-BARK
In what could be his oddest coupling since the storied "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby, venerable David Bowie will be collaborating with Scarlett Johansson on her album of Tom Waits covers.
Scarlett Johansson? Perhaps, though, if the British prince of pop is lending his talents, it will be a project worth keeping an eye on. Bowie will lend two vocals to her "Anywhere I Lay My Head," scheduled for a May 20th release.
***Radiohead also has a new release on the horizon, although this one is produced by their former recording label EMI. Plans are in the works to release a greatest hits album later this year, which definitely will not be of the "pay what you may" persuasion. On a side note, California Hip-hop/electronic artist Amplive recently produced a remix of selected tracks from "In Rainbows," titled "Rainy Dayz." After a brief legal battle, Amplive was given the nod by the Radiohead boys, but only to release it to the public as a free download.
***In live music news, South By Southwest's list of approximately 1,700 bands and 81 venues includes Austin appearances by R.E.M., Dolly Parton, MGMT, British Sea Power, Vampire Weekend, My Morning Jacket and Akron/Family. The music portion of SXSW runs from March 12-16.
***Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks have announced their U.S. tour, to coincide with the release of their new LP "Real Emotional Trash." Indie pixel pop artist John Vanderslice will open for the majority of the tour.
***R.E.M. just added 25 European tour dates to follow their U.S. travels, which begin in early March. Their overseas stops include London, Germany, France and everywhere in between, from July to September.
***In random music news, Sonic Youth will sponsor a traveling museum exhibit featuring the work of artists who illustrated or designed album covers for the band during its 20+ year career. Also, work on their next full-length LP will begin this spring.
And in more Sonic Youth gab, bassist Kim Gordon recently endorsed Barack Obama for president. He's eight years younger than the iconic rocker.
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