All eyes are on Austin this week. Yes, this is the time of year when throngs of buzz bands, their overzealous critics, and hipster bloggers descend upon the nation’s weirdest state capitol for a week of absolute craziness, known more commonly as South By Southwest (or SXSW if you’re cool). Don’t fret if you can’t make it this year. There’s enough music-related news to keep up with minus SXSW. And that’s saying a lot. It’s not an easy job, but someone has to do it. Might as well be us.
Enjoy the following recap, and get ready for what’s sure to be another packed week.
— Arctic Monkeys fans rejoice. In addition to announcing tour dates, the group revealed plans for their fourth LP.
— It’s officially official: Beastie Boys’ reworked and retitled eighth studio album, Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2, will finally receive release on May 3rd.
— The Chemical Brothers have gone the route of Daft Punk and scored a film. Preview their musical contributions to Hanna right now.
— As for Daft Punk, you can sample Legacy R3CONFIGUR3D before it hits stores on April 15th right now.
— Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold dropped three new solo tracks.
— You think winning an Oscar would be enough to satisfy Trent Reznor. Nope. Now it seems like he’s busier than ever.
— Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr passed away at the age of 44.
— Langerado Music Festival is back.
— The National have an awesome new video out.
— Red Riding Hood, like most would-be blockbusters these days, has a pretty trendy soundtrack, which includes a contribution from Fever Ray.
–The U2 Spider Man musical saga continued.
— Jack White‘s record store on wheels (yes, you heard correctly, on wheels) is set to debut at South by Southwest.
— What else? Even more Record Store Day releases to look forward to.
— Thom Yorke delivered a surprise DJ set in LA.
— Foo Fighters: Back and Forth, Foo Fighters‘ documentary, will receive its national premiere early next month, just days before Wasting Light is scheduled for release. Can’t wait for either one? Here’s the video for the single “Rope.”
— Need another excuse to get excited for TV on the Radio‘s new record? Well, here you go.
— “Ice Cream”, Battles‘ first post-lineup change single, hit the airwaves.
— The original Beach Boys‘ Smile LP is officially scheduled to be released later this year.
— And speaking of pleasant surprises, how does new material from Kate Bush sound?
— Or what about the long-awaited second LP from Justice?
— American Idiot, Green Day‘s over-the-top Broadway musical, will close next month.
— The ever-elusive Lauryn Hill extended her “Intimate Playdates” tour.
— Charlie Sheen found something to laugh about. OK, you’re probably wondering what he’s doing on this site, but just click on the link. You won’t regret it. Trust me.
— We announced no ordinary CoS Giveaway, or, as Michael Roffman put it, ” the Revenge of the Sith of giveaways.”
— Justin Gerber reviewed Collapse Into Now, the latest offering from alt-rock kingpins R.E.M.
— Chris Coplan offered his thoughts on Lupe Fiasco‘s notoriously delayed Lasers.
— Whether or not you can make it down to Austin next week for South By Southwest, check out our guide to this year’s festivities.
— Daniel Koran caught up with Meric Long of The Dodos.
— Winston Robbins spoke with Cut Copy mastermind Dan Whitford in the latest installment of our quickie interview series, The Call Up.