Jun 17, 2009 By Laura Studarus David Tennant

In support of the BBC America’s U.S. premier of four Doctor Who specials, actor David Tennant, and series producer Russell T. Davies will appear at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Fans of British sci-fi rejoice, the network also has several other comic-con events in the works, including one for Torchwood that features star John Barrowman.

Jun 17, 2009 By Kyle Lemmon Os Mutantes

Legendary Brazilian psych-rockers Os Mutantes have apparently decided to give it another shot as a trio. Os Mutantes have announced that they’ve signed to Anti- Records, and plan to release their first album in 35 years, Haih, which is due out on September 8th.

Jun 17, 2009 By Mark Redfern Bat For Lashes

Bat For Lashes concluded their current tour for a sold-out show at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles. Natasha Khan was backed by a three-piece band. They opened with a one-two punch of “Glass” and “Sleep Alone,” the two songs that open Bat For Lashes’ acclaimed sophomore album, Two Suns, which was released in April. Midway through the set Khan performed a stripped down version of Karate Kid-inspired single “Daniel,” but then for the last song of the encore all four members performed a full-band version of “Daniel.” That’s double the “Daniel!”

Jun 17, 2009 By Kyle Lemmon Hercules & Love Affair

Hercules & Love Affair are the debut group for Renaissance’s brand new compilation series called Sidetracked. The two-disc comp is a slamming set of house and disco grooves, plus a brand new Affair exclusive, “I Can’t Wait.” This is a perfect match for the New York DJ-turned Hercules frontman Andy Butler. The musician noted in a statement on Renaissance’s site that Sidetracked holds a full-length mirror up to his bifurcated stylee.

Jun 17, 2009 By Kyle Lemmon Yeah Yeah Yeahs

If that Warp Records box set wasn’t enough, the label’s sister company Warp X has something else to offer music fans. The independent Sheffield film production company is preparing for the release of their fourth film, the DIY concert documentary entitled All Tomorrow’s Parties. All Tomorrow’s Parties puts a lens on the cult music festival of the same name on September 23rd.

Jun 16, 2009 By Michele Yamamoto Quasi

Kill Rock Stars Records is extending a warm welcome to long-running indie rock three-piece Quasi. The two are finally teaming up for the Portland band’s first studio release since 2006, When the Going Gets Dark, which the band released with Touch & Go Records (who are no longer releasing new albums).

Jun 16, 2009 By Kyle Lemmon Antony and the Johnsons

Antony and the Johnsons have been covering Beyoncé‘s pop heavyweight “Crazy in Love” on the stage for some time now. The New York-based singer thankfully doesn’t inject any irony mugging into the proceedings, instead opting to cut to the very marrow of a quite depressing song. Without Beyoncé‘s glitz getting in his way, Hegarty lays out lines like “Such a funny thing for me to try to explain/How I’m feeling and my pride is the one to blame,” like desperate pleas for salvation. On August 4th we’ll get to hear how close Antony and his haunting chamber players get to the song’s essence when the studio version of the cover is released.

Jun 16, 2009 By Mark Redfern

A Camp is the side-project from The Cardigans’ Nina Persson that also features her husband Nathan Larson (Shudder to Think) and Niclas Frisk (Atomic Swing). The trio was backed by two other members live and took the stage to some of Vangelis’ score fror Blade Runner. Towards the end of the set Persson left the stage briefly and the rest of the band actually launched into their own version of the Blade Runner score.

Jun 15, 2009 By Kyle Lemmon Richard Hawley

Richard Hawley may sound like a typical British bloke but the former Longpigs member and onetime Pulp touring guitarist is pushing himself in strange and very uncommon ways on his sixth album, Truelove’s Gutter. The new LP comes out September 22nd, and follows 2007’s Lady’s Bridge and the Sheffield singer/songwriter’s 2005 Mercury Music Prize nominated longplayer Coles Corner.