News

John Lennon protest letter to Queen of England found in record sleeve

A letter that John Lennon wrote to Queen Elizabeth II has been found inside a record sleeve from a £10 car boot haul. The finder, who remains anonymous, purchased the record 20 years ago but he only recently found the note inside the sleeve.

In the letter, Lennon explains why he was returning his MBE and that it was in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigerian Civil War. He also says that the UK’s “support of America in Vietnam” and “Cold Turkey slipping down the charts” are reasons for his protest.

Watch Conor Oberst play “Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out” and “Gossamer Thin” on “Kimmel”

Conor Oberst appeared on last night’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” as the musical guest. He played “Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out” and “Gossamer Thin” from his latest album, Ruminations. Watch his performance below. Along with the release of Oberst’s new solo album, the Bright Eyes catalogue was reissued recently as a box set.

Pity Sex announce indefinite hiatus

Pity Sex have announced that they are going to be taking an indefinite hiatus. The announcement comes after the departure of guitarist Britty Drake earlier this year and the release of their most recent album, White Hot Moon. The band released a video for “Burden You,” a single from White Hot Moon. The video was made by Playlab, Inc. and directed by Daniel Antebi. Watch it below. The band wrote on Twitter:

Barbagallo to release new album Grand Chien

Barbagallo is the project of Julien Barbagallo, the French musician who also plays drums in Tame Impala. He is releasing a new album this week called Grand Chien, and is set to be out October 28 through Arista France. Grand Chien is Barbagallo’s second album under his own name; his debut as Barbagallo was Amor de Lonh in 2014. Find the full tracklist below and the cover artwork for the new album above. Also, find the music video for “Oubliez-moi” below. 

Grand Chien:

01 Nouveau Sidobre
02 Mungibeddu
03 Pas Grand Monde
04 Dernier Pays
05 Longue La Nuit
06 Le Carquois Tchadien
07 Moitié De Moi
08 L’ami Me Dit
09 Oubliez-moi
10 La Vérité

Watch King Krule perform a new song at Beach Goth Festival

King Krule performed at the Growlers’ Beach Goth festival over the weekend, with Bon Iver, Justice, James Blake, and more. King Krule performed a new song during their set, watch it out below. According to fans at the show, Archy Marshall announced that a new King Krule record is on its way. He also released a new album, A New Place 2 Drown, under his real name last December.

Watch Vic Mensa’s new “16 Shots” video

Vic Mensa has released a new video for “16 Shots” from his most recent EP, There’s Alot Going On. Watch it here. It is directed by Ace Norton, and the new video has Mensa confronting police officers, and is interspersed with dashboard cam footage of the shooting by Chicago police officers of Laquan McDonald in 2014.

Common shares new song “Home”

Common has released a new song from his upcoming album Black America Again. The track is called “Home” and it features Bilal. Listen to it below. It comes after the already released “Love Star,” that features Marsha Ambrosius and PJ, and the title track, which includes Stevie Wonder. Black America Again is set to be out November 4th via Artium/Def Jam.

Tinariwen announce new album Elwan, share new video For “Ténéré Tàqqàl”

Tinariwen have announced their new album Elwan, which is set to be out on February 10th through Anti-. The album is the follow-up t0 Emmaar, and features appearances by Kurt Vile, Matt Sweeney, Mark Lanegan, and more. They recorded it in the desert of Joshua Tree National Park and in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, an oasis in southern Morocco. Check out the animated video for “Ténéré Tàqqàl,” directed by Axel Digoix, who has worked on films such as The Little Prince. Below as well are the Elwan tracklist, the album artwork and Tinariwen’s upcoming tour dates.

Elwan:

o1 Tiwàyyen
02 Sastanàqqàm
03 Nizzagh Ijbal
04 Hayati
05 Ittus
06 Ténéré Tàqqàl
07 Imidiwàn N-Àkall-In
08 Talyat
09 Assàwt
10 Arhegh Ad Annàgh
11 Nànnuflày
12 Intro Flute Fog Edaghan
13 Fog Edaghàn

Tinariwen:

10-19 Aurillac, France – Aurillac Theatre
10-29 M’hamid, Morocco – Taragalte Festival
11-04 Leeds, England – Belgrave Music Hall
11-05 Kendal, England – Brewery Arts Centre
11-06 Manchester, England – Band on the Wall
11-09 London, England – Islington Assembly Hall
11-11 Berlin, Germany – Volksbühne
11-17 Basel, Switzerland – Kaserne
11-18 Bologna, Italy – Locomotiv Club
11-21 Paris, France – Le Bataclan
11-22 Grenoble, France – La Belle Electrique
11-23 Lyon, France – L’Epicerie Moderne
11-24 Arles, France – Cargo De Nuit
11-26 Mourenx, France – Festival Mourenx

Grizzly Bear’s new album Is “90% Done”

Grizzly Bear have been working in the studio on their follow-up to 2o12’s album Shields. In a tweet, the band announced the new LP is “90% done” but it was the “last update until you hear it.” See it below. In May, the band revealed they would go to the studio over the summer to begin to work on their new album.

Watch the video for “gun-shy” below.

Franz Ferdinand shares new anti-Trump song “Demagogue”

Franz Ferdinand have released a new song called “Demagogue,” listen to it above. It is an anti-Trump track, and the latest track from the 30 Days, 30 Songs program created by writer Dave Eggers. It began earlier this week with Death Cab for Cuties’ “Million Dollar Loan.”

The program will release a new song everyday until Election Day. Aimee Man, Bhi Bhiman, and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James have also released music as a part of the program. Listen to their contributions here. All of the proceeds from 30 Days will go to the Center for Popular Democracy and their efforts toward Universal Voter Registration for all Americans.