Thursday, May 5, 2011

Quick News

It has been rumored for a few weeks that Outkast's Big Boi has been working with Modest Mouse. Now Sir Lucious Leftfoot himself is speaking out, Big Boi says to MTV "I've been a fan of the band for a minute... We're all musicians and producers and artists, and it's just like a big-ass brainstorm, a brain-stormin', tsunami, typhoon, tectonic-plates-movin' kind of thing. We do all types of music, so to get the chance to jam with a jammin'-ass band, I knew it was going to be cool. We had a vibe too. We made a couple of records that are just jamming. It's a hodgepodge of funkiness." Currently at press time, Big Boi has not done any rapping with the band, they are just brainstorming at the moment. This collaboration will be something to admire.

According to Billboard.com, Deftones will be heading back into the studio to work on the follow up to last year's magnificent Diamond Eyes record. Singer Chino Moreno says "We're going to have a month off, but in that month we're talking about going in and starting to write again, maybe even two or three weeks in a rehearsal spot just recording ideas and keeping it going, the process will resume in September, so if all goes well hopefully we'll have some product for early next year."

Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The band posted this via their website:

A Note from Colin and Jenny

About a month ago, we all at Decemberists HQ got hit with some pretty hard news. Jenny Conlee, our since-the-very-beginning accordion and keyboard player and all-around rad person was diagnosed with breast cancer. If you or anyone in your world has been handed a similar diagnosis, you know what a bolt-out-of-the-blue this news can be.
The good news is that Jenny caught it early. And while the prognosis is very, very good for a full recovery, tackling the disease will mean some intensive treatment for our Jenny as well as a lot of important recovery time.

So I'm writing this to say that, weighing our options, and with Jenny's fervent blessings, we've decided to go forward with our scheduled tour dates this spring and summer.
What we know now: Jenny will very likely miss all nine of our concerts in May and June. We're all hoping that her recovery will be such that she'll be able to get back on board as soon as possible.

And now, a note from Jenny:

Hello to Everyone,
I am very sorry to say that I will be missing a few shows coming up as I go through treatment for breast cancer. It has been great to be on tour these past few weeks. The band and crew are like family to me and have been incredibly supportive and understanding. To be making music with everyone and seeing the fans has helped me to feel more positive and keep my mind off of my diagnosis. But, alas, as the tour winds down, it is time for me to get back to reality. I will try to get into surgery as soon as I can after we return from this leg of the tour so I can begin my recovery. There are still a few unknowns out there concerning my cancer, but I am thinking positive and hope to be back on the road soon. Thanks for all of your support! See you soon!

Lots of love,
Jenny

Thanks for everyone's understanding during this crazy time.

Yours,
Colin Meloy
The Decemberists

After nearly two decades of no new music, The Pixies could be heading back into the studio after their current tour and it is all thanks to U2's Bono. The band who famously split in the mid 90's after the release of Trompe Le Monde, reunited in 2004 and have been on tour ever since. However, in a recent interview with Spinner, Pixies guitarist, Joey Santiago, says that they could head back into the studio for a new album and that Bono is putting preassure on them, Santiago says "Bono even asked, remember that? He's like, 'Please make a record!' Goddamn, we can't leave that unturned. That would frustrate me. It would. I think we should do it. But it's up to everybody." Fingers crossed.

In just a few weeks, Lady Gaga will release one of the most anticipated albums of the year with Born This Way. Taking to twitter she unveiled the track listing this weekend, take a look:

Marry The Night

Born This Way

Government Hooker

Judas

Americano

Hair

Scheiße

Bloody Mary

Black Jesus - Amen Fashion

Bad Kids

Fashion of His Love

Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)

Heavy Metal Lover

Electric Chapel

The Queen

You and I

The Edge of Glory