Monday News Mash-Up

Did you know secrets can lead to the cleaning areas of landmines? That’s the hope of “secret” e-mail blog The Plug Five Project. In conjunction with a healthy list of popular webzines, blogs, and artists that include Wavves, John Vanderslice, and Woods, the Plug Five Project just asks for a one time donation of $2 to the Mines Advisory Group and your e-mail address and you’ll be sent a communiqué at the end of each month with recommended music from the fine people in cahoots with Plug Five. The first mailing goes out this Friday (April 30th).

It’s in all likelihood that you didn’t know Francis Ford Coppola helms Zoetrope: All-Story, a quarterly literary magazine often designed by such luminary guests as Lou Reed, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Will Oldham. This summer’s issue will add Polly Jean Harvey to that growing list.

A new song by M.I.A. has been circling the interwebs. “Born Free” can be found all over the place, though no one’s sure if it’s a one off, a cut from her forthcoming album, or what. Most agree that song, sampling Suicide’s “Ghost Rider,” borrows a heavy influence from Sleigh Bells, the most recent signees on her N.E.E.T. label. Be warned: this brand new video is NSFW and extremely violent. Watch at your own risk.

The irresistibly saccharine-saturated pop of duo The Boy Least Likely To has turned many a hard heart into soft marshmallows of loving goo. The trend looks to continue with the tomorrow’s (April 27th) release of four song EP, Fairytale Ending.

Twenty-six years into the game and The Melvins keep the hits(?) coming. Mike Patton’s recording arm, Ipecac, will be releasing the band’s latest album, The Bride Screamed Murder, June 1st. The Melvins are also on tour with a July 6th date set for Seattle at The Showbox at The Market.

Space has been taken up about the financial implosion of EMI and now that space is about to get more crowded. As if losing another proven moneymaker in the defection of Sir Paul McCartney, EMI needs $550 million from its investors or it faces defaulting on its Citigroup loans.

If you’re in the Midwest and East Coast, you still have a chance to catch Jónsi‘s spectactular live show (he’s in Milwaukee tonight and Chicago the next two nights). As if you’d need any further encouragement, here’s a live video of “Sinking Friendships” recorded in London:

The KEXP Blog