News: A Personal Note From Phoenix

WTF: Aguilera To Record With Ladytron and Goldfrapp?

Courtesy of Perez Hilton:

"Christina Aguilera is apparently hard at work on her 4th album, and she's working with some super fucking awesome people!

2006's Back to Basics was a very retro-sounding affair. And it seems like she has a killer strategy for the follow-up!

Aguilera has confirmed that she has been working with Australian singer (and Perez fave) Sia since January. It has also been confirmed that Christina has been speaking with electropop group Ladytron regarding a collaboration.

Another collab rumor floating around has been one with Goldfrapp, although nothing has been confirmed yet.

If it's true, this sounds like it's going to be an amazing album! And, of course, she is once again collaborating with Beautiful co-writer Linda Perry.

We can't wait!"

Show Alert: The Republic Tigers @ The Henry Fonda - 4/10/09, 4/11/09

After a successful U.K. tour, The Republic Tigers will again join Travis on the road. This time the bands are doing a U.S. tour including two nights at The Henry Fonda. The April 10, 2009 show is already sold out, but there are still tickets available for the April 11, 2009 show. Tickets here.

Show Alert: M83 w/ the Los Angeles Philharmonic @ Walt Disney Concert Hall - 3/7/09

UPDATE: Presale password is "digital shades".

The special events at the Walt Disney Concert Hall just keeping getting better. After hosting performances from the likes of Neko Case and Grizzly Bear, it has just been announced that the majestic and synthetic sounds of French dreamrockers M83 will be joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a very special evening at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This is the first time M83 has ever played with an orchestra, and you can bet it will be much better than the time Metallica tried it. The show happens on March 7, with tickets on sale Friday here.

Show Alert: Franz Ferdinand @ Amoeba Records - 1/30/09

Franz Ferdinand will be celebrating the 1/27 release of their third album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand with an in-store performance at Amoeba Records in Hollywood. These guys are true showmen, so if you can't make it to the performance itself, do catch the live stream on the Amoeba Records website.

Show Alert: The Walkmen/Beach House, Animal Collective, The Raveonettes, Tapes 'n Tapes

The Walkmen/Beach House - January 20, 2009 - The Henry Fonda Theater

Animal Collective - January 23, 2009 February 26, 2009 - The Henry Fonda Theater
Animal Collective - January 24, 2009 February 27, 2009 - The Troubadour

The Raveonettes - January 24, 2009 - The Henry Fonda Theater

Tapes 'n Tapes - January 24, 2009 - The El Rey Theater

Obituary: Indie 103.1 FM KDLD, et al.

Photo By Robert Gauthier.

When I first moved to Southern California, my only source of music in the home was my FM radio. On my first night I ran the dial and immediately came across a track from Bloc Party's Silent Alarm, who were just getting established in the United States. "Banquet" was followed by some Ramones and Arcade Fire's "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)", and I was hooked on the station.

Over the next four years, 103.1 was my 24 hour go-to music source. Tons of new stuff, great old stuff ("God! Show Me Magic"), new old stuff, and great shows and programs. Although some found it to be the "Diet Coke" of independent radio, Indie was hands down a consistent source of choice quality music. That's all I really ask for in a radio station.

Now KDLD's terrestrial broadcast is no more, and the station is transitioning to some sort of web-based format. It sounds like the shows are gone, and there's no word if Big Sonic Heaven, Passport Approved, Head Trip or any of the other awesome programs will show up on other stations. KCRW? Perhaps. Raise KXLU's HATT by 80 meters? I don't know. I just pray that the online Indie will have a moblie app like Soma FM so I can at least pretend it's a real radio station.

Yuck.

Show Alert: The Little Ones @ Natural History Museum - 1/9/09

Catch The Little Ones this Friday at the Natural History Museum's first First Friday lecture/concert/discussion series. The theme of this year's series is evolution, and this week's tour is an ornithological introduction to animals Darwin would have studied. The concert portion is from 7:00 to 10:00, with The Little Ones and DJs too. Tix only $9 here or maybe at the door.

In Pictures: The Best of 2008

Holiday Wishlist: One-Off Charity Remix of "Videotape"

According to The Press Association:

"An exclusive remix of Radiohead's song Videotape, released on a single VHS signed by the band, is to go on sale at an online charity auction.

The four-hour remix video will raise funds for Missing People, the UK's leading charity for missing and unidentified people.

It was recorded by James Rutledge, who has produced and remixed for Bloc Party and The Kills. He was recently included in the NME Future 50 list as one of the "bands, artists and innovators driving music forward".

His friend and former Dakota Oak band mate, Dave Tyack, went missing in Corsica in August 2002. The charity was in constant contact with the Tyack family until his body was found in June 2004.

Rutledge said: "The charity gave his family continued support during that incredibly difficult time, as they do for thousands of others each year.

"The service that the charity provides is vital to those left wondering what has happened to their loved ones. It is hard to imagine what it is like to have no idea where someone you love is, whether they are alive or dead even. At times like this the charity can be a lifeline."

Paul Tuohy of Missing People said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of signed Radiohead memorabilia and let's face it, it's the ultimate Christmas present for a Radiohead fan."

The original version of Videotape is on Radiohead's most recent album In Rainbows.

Bidding ends at 10pm on Sunday December 21."

Four hours? Bid here.