Ani DiFranco Goes Over The Rhine

PR reports: Over The Rhine is on the road again, this time supporting Ani DiFranco for an 11-date tour in March. The tour will bring the two ground-breaking acts to several Eastern and Southern cities beginning in Concord, N.H. on February 28 and culminating in New Orleans on March 16

According to Over The Rhine member Karin Bergquist: "Ani DiFranco is the kind of artist that everyone aspires to be, but few find the inner strength to pull it off. She's a visionary and a pioneer in that she was way ahead of the curve by starting her own record label and owning her own music from the start. She's influenced a whole generation of young guitar players with her unique approach to her instrument. And her songwriting is honest, vulnerable, unpredictable and juicy as hell.

She adds, "It's an honor to support Ani on a tour that finds her reflecting back and no doubt celebrating the many small victories that await those who are willing to risk everything in hopes of being true to themselves." - dates

Walk the Longer Line

Filter reports: Fox Home Entertainment will release a special edition two-disc DVD of the 2005 Academy Award-winning film about the legendary Man in Black.

Walk the Line Extended Cut features over 17 minutes of never before seen footage from the motion picture chronicling the life and music of Johnny Cash, as well as, exclusive director commentary with James Mangold.

The bonus disc is packed with extras including deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, and extended performances from Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. The DVD hits streets March 25, but pre-orders start as early as February 27. - more news from Filter

Modern Life Is War Farewell Tour

Lambgoat reports: The initial schedule for Modern Life Is War's final tour has been revealed. Here you go:

3/28 Milwaukee, WI
3/29 Madison, WI @ Madison Fest W/ The Repos, more
3/30 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen W/ The First Step, more
3/31 Detroit, MI @ Ritz
4/1 Bath, NY @ Murphy Lanes
4/2 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott CC
4/3 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
4/4 Boston, MA @ ICC
4/6 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory - more on this story

Rothbury Expands Lineup

PR reports: Today, ROTHBURY announces the addition of Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Wailers, Mickey Hart Band featuring George Porter Jr. and Steve Kimock, and Trampled By Turtles to the artist lineup.

On July 4th weekend 2008, ROTHBURY emerges as a new American celebration. For this next generation of the rock and roll music festival, ROTHBURY sets forth as a huge party with a purpose. Hosted at the one-of-a-kind Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan, the unique festival site offers trails, forests, fields, lakes and beach fronts, and even on-site lodging, bars and eateries. The four day, environmentally sustainable music and camping festival promises to be an inspiring cultural assembly; one where music fans, artists and progressive thinkers gather to celebrate much more than music.

Music is the soul of ROTHBURY, which today adds to its initial artist line-up announcement. Confirmed musical acts include Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, John Mayer, 311, Phil Lesh and Friends, Modest Mouse, Primus, Snoop Dogg, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Thievery Corporation, STS9 and many others. A complete list of confirmed artists follows, and many others will be announced in the coming months. - more on this fest

Eugenics Through Celebutard Hook Ups?

TMZ reports: Paris Hilton and Benji Madden are officially a thing, meaning if all goes well, Paris and Nicole Richie could be ... sister-in-laws? That's not so simple.

TMZ has confirmed that the Good Charlotte member not named Joel is now officially dating La Hilton. The two were seen out last night together at Home Nightclub in St. Louis (yes, Missouri), where Benji DJ'ed and Paris did what she does best – danced!

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ, "They are dating for sure," and that they actually met a while back but were in other relationships at the time. "It was all about the timing," we're told. - more on this story

Jayhawks Frontman Goes Solo

PR reports: Jayhawks Frontman Gary Louris has set his solo debut. Fleshed out with warm washes of pedal steel, harmonica, soaring choral harmonies, steeped in the metaphysical and marred by none, Gary Louris' debut solo record, Vagabonds (Rykodisc), is a pinnacle force and a country memoir pinned with heartache and bravery merits.

After two decades with the Jayhawks, and over 10 years with modern alt-rock supergroup Golden Smog, Louris has amassed a powerful repertoire of collaborations and built a deeply compelling body of music whose artistry and integrity won the loyalty of an international audience and the respect of both critics and his peers.

In addition to preparing to tour behind Vagabonds, Louris has been engaged in a number of varied projects, including co-writing and performing on a number of songs on the Dixie Chicks newest record and producing the Sadies new album. - tour dates

Chris Stills Soph Release and Tour

PR reports: Fanista.com today announced the release of an exclusive self-titled second album from musician Chris Stills.

With music running deep in Stills' family tree, the maturity and triumph of his new album comes as no surprise. While his father, Stephen Stills, is celebrated for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, his mother Veronique Sanson is a Pop legend in France.

Chris will tour to promote his new album from March 11, 2008 – March 24, 2008, playing in several cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and more. - dates

Mason Proper Set Digital Release

PR reports: An abbreviated glimpse into Mason Proper's bizarre, singular universe, the aptly-titled SHORTHAND EP will be released digitally on iTunes March 25 via Dovecote Records (Ed Harcourt, Aberdeen City, Tim Williams). A four-song rush of eccentric indie rock and ambitious experimentation, the album will be coupled with a video for each song, directed by production duo Hott Garbage.

Self-produced and recorded by the band in their Ann Arbor dwelling, SHORTHAND was hashed out late last year in a matter of days. Kicking off with "Rest Up," the album begins with a bevy of kitchen-sink type instrumentation - a bang here, a burst of guitar, the ding of a what sounds like a cash register - all carried on a dark groove while singer Jonathan Visger ruminates about Beelzebub and incriminating evidence. Flowing straight into "Bonemen," upbeat guitars and bouncy bass lighten the mood, however, one listen to Visger's twitchy paranoia-induced rants and it's apparent there is much more than meets the eye. The album concludes with "Traveling Men," a track propelled by a heavy drum beat and filled with swift starts and stops and an odd story about a wristwatch.

In March, the Michigan natives will head to Austin, Texas for SXSW for several shows. Upon their return, the band will join Cloud Cult for some gigs before heading to the studio to record their sophomore effort. - more on this story

Fallin Off the Reel Again

PR reports: Brooklyn-based record label Truth and Soul will release their Fallin' Off the Reel Vol. 2 compilation CD on March 11th. The compilation features a combination of tracks from a variety of funk and soul artists that had previously been exclusively available as 7" singles as well as new tracks from celebrated groups El Michels Affair and Bronx River Parkway.

Truth and Soul's involvement with releases from Amy Winehouse and members of Wu-Tang Clan, as well as their reputation for releasing high quality soul and funk music, makes the release of this compilation highly anticipated.

The forthcoming second-edition Truth and Soul compilation boasts a varied roster of current-day and older funk and soul artists, including Timothy McNealy, El Michels Affair, Bronx River Parkway, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Tyrone Ashley's Funk Music Machine, Black Velvet, Quincy Bright and The Fabulous Three. - more on this story

Juno Reactor Set Release

PR reports: Juno Reactor returns on April 27 with their seventh full-length release Gods & Monsters. The nine-track work was recorded and mixed at Ridge Farm Studios in England by mastermind Ben Watkins alongside Adz and Chris Lewis.

God & Monsters achieves its astounding diversity through an incredible array of guest musicians which include guitarists Eduardo Nielbla, Sugizo and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) avant-garde pianist Mike Garson (David Bowie), bassist Dr. Das (Asian Dub Foundation), percussionists Greg Ellis and Mabi Thobajane and vocalists Yasmin Levy, Ghetto Priest (On-U Sound) and Taz Alexander. Juno Reactor will tour internationally in support of God & Monsters throughout 2008. - more on this story

Flo & Eddie Finally Bring Classic Albums to CD

PR reports: Music industry legends Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, founding members of the legendary music group The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, have recently reissued their back catalog on CD. Two titles in particular appear on compact disc for the very first time. Volman and Kaylan, along with The Turtles, have sold over 60 million records worldwide, and have sung on hit records for such notable artists as John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, T. Rex, Todd Rundgren and Ozzy Osbourne. Along with The Turtles, Flo & Eddie have toured continuously for the past three decades, building on their legacy as one of the most successful musical groups in the history of recorded music.

After an exhausting but historic stint with music icon Frank Zappa in 1972, Volman and Kaylan signed a solo deal with Warner Bros records under the guise of Flo & Eddie and released several critically acclaimed albums. Produced and written by Mark and Howard 'The Phloresent Leach & Eddie' was the duo's first release on Warners in 1972 and featured former Mothers of Invention members Don Preston, Jim Pons and Aynsley Dunbar. Recorded at Ike Turner's "Bolic Sound" studio in Inglewood, CA, "The material was much closer to the songs we had been writing during the final stages of The Turtles", says Volman. "We did new versions of two songs that we actually recorded in our final Turtle 'Shell Shocked' recording." The album, with cover art designed by Henry Diltz and Gary Burden of CSN&Y, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Brown fame, received much praise by fans and critics alike upon release and has since become a collectors item. - more on this story

The Lee Boys Road Plans

PR reports: In the wake of Robert Randolph having to cancel his set at the 2008 Langerado Festival, his friends and fellow sacred steel musicians The Lee Boys will fill his Saturday late-night closing slot on the Swamp Stage on Sunday, March 9th from 12:30-2:30 A.M. Their performance will follow headliners R.E.M., who will grace the Everglades Stage that evening from 9:30-11:30 P.M. The 6th annual festival takes pace March 6-9th in the Big Cypress Reservation in Everglades National Park, Florida. Other performers include Medeski, Martin, Scofield & Woods, 311, Beastie Boys, Ani DeFranco, Gov't Mule, Ben Folds, Avett Brothers and Phil Lesh & Friends.

2008 is promising to be a big year for The Lee Boys. In addition to Langerado, they will perform at BONNAROO, The New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival, High Sierra, Memphis in May, Summercamp, Cornerstone Festival, and many more of the country's most prestigious festivals. - more on this story

Love is Dead

PR reports: The music video for Kerli's "Love is Dead" is finally here! Directed by Josh Mond, the haunting piece presents Kerli in a reverse journey through time, beauty, and love.

Influences from Kerli's affinity for creepy fairytales and darkness appear throughout the artistic video.

Working with noted producer/mixer/songwriter David Maurice, whose credits include Garbage and JC Chasez, Kerli wrote the personal lyrics to all the songs, reflecting her amazing odyssey from a small town in Estonia across the sea from Scandinavia to major label recording artist. - Check out the video

Will The Baby Be A Lip Synching Poser?

antiMusic reports: Not really news but a bit of a chuckle and a warning to humanity from our friends at Buzznet. We'll let them break the "big news":

Were Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson making babies this weekend? According to the video Pete just posted a video of himself and Ashlee (laying in bed, popping cheetos and talking with a southern drawl) on his blog on www.friendsorenemies.com they were

Pete declares that rather than doing something for Africa or Katrina he and Ashlee are making a baby as their contribution to the world. - Do you care? If so click here

Death To Music With Free CD Download!

PR reports: Anti-record label Death To Music productions in collaboration with Industrialized Metal zine bring you a free 10 track downloadable compilation of Industrial Metal featuring 10 artists.

Available now from www.deathtomusic.com , there is downloadable artwork to print / burn your CD and a short interview with each of the artists.

Artist list: T3CHNOPHOB1A (Italy) XE-NONE (Russia) NOESIS (Spain) THE BOMBS OF ENDURING FREEDOM (UK) KRELL (Spain) VIRGINS O.R PIGEONS (Greece) CUNTWORM (U.S.A) SYMPTOMS (Italy) CONTECHED (Holland) P.U.T (France). - Grab it here

.... Hot in the City V.6: Halford- Eyes Set To Kill- Phunk Junkeez- more

Hot in the City submits, for your consideration, a stack of wax made by Arizonans. This month Kevin looks at CDs from Halford- Eyes Set To Kill- Raquel Aurelia- Jacob Koller- Phunk Junkeez- The Maine- Vanity Tweak- Greyhound Soul. - Read the full Hot in the City V.6: Halford- Eyes Set To Kill- Phunk Junkeez- more review

.... Gorgoroth - Antichrist

If black metal were a car and progression looked like a highway, Antichrist would simply be a random traffic jam causing frustration and drowsiness due to its meandering qualities and trivial nonsense. - Read the full Gorgoroth - Antichrist review

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