Vampire Weekend

The user ByteMe on rateyourmusic.com has compiled a list of band name origins. It’s far from comprehensive but it covers a wide spectrum of bands, new and old, so you’re sure to find a bunch that you know. And hey, maybe you’ll be turned on to some just based on how they got their name!

A bunch of big names are slated to play the second All Points West Music & Arts Festival in New Jersey the last weekend in July. Lineup is below. Tickets go on sale this Friday (4/4) at noon via Ticketmaster. They are $89 for a single day ticket and $199 for a three-day pass. A [...]

None of these picks are mind-blowing if you’ve been keeping up with their record reviews over the past year, so as far as consistency goes, and as a whole, they do a decent job. But a handful of picks seem kinda crazy to me: New Age at #3 (it’s good but not that good), Cut [...]

Seems as though the list of endorsements for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama is never-ending. This is especially the case when it comes to musicians, who tend to be slightly more liberal, and even more the case for artists that might fall under the curtain of ‘indie’, who tend to be even more liberal. New [...]

The Austin City Limits Music Festival begins September 26 at Zilker Park in Austin, TX. Continuing the trend of other festivals like Pitchfork, Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza, ACL has decided to show some of the concerts from the festival over a live and free webcast. More information and the actual webcast can be found here. [...]

Nobody has a clue what M.I.A.’s plans are anymore, but we can tell you her music career isn’t over quiiiite yet.  This leaked demo of “Rain Dance” comes from an upcoming collaboration between Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit. Other guests on the record include Santogold, Vampire Weekend, the Ruby Suns, Marina from Bonde Do Role, BLK JKS, and others.   [...]