Micro-News

Mark your calendars with red pen because the 6th album from The Silver Jews Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea will be released June 17 on Drag City. As we anxiously await that day Mr. Berman & Co. have recently confirmed some dates in the UK including a set at the always stellar All Tomorrow's Parties May 16th-18th. US dates are expected to be announced as the release date of the new album gets closer.

Things in The Pernice Brothers camp are gearing up as there seems to be some recording activities that I'll have to assume at this point will be the next Pernice Brothers album. In the meantime, Joe is still holed up in the NorthMidwest Territories somewhere, working on the great Canadian novel. He'll be making the trek down south to the resort town (in 1649) of Dorchester , Massachusetts to do what will probably by the first public reading of the new material. On May 29, he will appear with the most gifted writers whose personal emails we have, at a benefit for a local halfway house for alcoholics and drug addicts. Michael Patrick MacDonald, George Pelecanos and Tom Perotta will also appear, and it will be hosted by our pal Neal Huff, whose recent turn as Michael Steintorf on The Wire has made it difficult for me to believe his self-serving lies ever again. But I think he's telling me the truth when he says he'll be there, despite the fact that there's no quid pro quo. Anyway, if you have any interest in attending, follow the link below. Tickets are a little steep - $50 - but it's for a very good cause. Thanks to Joyce and charlie at Ashmont Records for providing us with this much needed update. For further details on the Raise The Roof Benefit check out ashmontrecords.com

Lastly I feel obligated to remind you that XMU will begin the SXSW recast of sets they recorded last week in Austin, TX. Listen to XMU today & tomorrow beginning at 9am West, Noon East, as we present the PASTE MAGAZINE AND STEREOGUM - DEL LOUNGE SHOWCASE RECAST. Check out XMUNation for full details.