While the daily glut of music news inevitably stalled a bit during the holidays, a dozen or so eye/ear-catching stories of note crossed our radar amid the 2-day blizzard, New Year’s countdown, and assorted other eggnog-fueled distractions. The highlights:
Radiohead have once again given fans permission to compile a concert film from audience-shot footage. Behold! Radiohead for Haiti.
Meanwhile, Nine Inch Nails let the pros take the reins with 2 Michael Patterson-mixed, Rob Sheridan-edited clips from their so-called “Wave Goodbye” tour: “Somewhat Damaged” + “Just Like You Imagined”.
Julian Assange isn’t the only controversial figure to unleash a few leaks upon the Internet. Enter M.I.A.’s 36-minute, free mixtape, Vicki Leekx.
Sad news: The great R&B singer Teena Marie passed away at only 54.
In addition to (unwillingly) unveiling his video for “Monster”, Kanye West (possibly) revealed that his collaborative album with Jay-Z, Watch the Throne, arrives in just one week.
Bono, Glen Hansard, and Damien Rice busked in Dublin on Christmas Eve.
Conan O’Brien celebrated both the holidays and his first run as a late-night host on TBS by covering Chuck Berry.
Will Oldham fans should definitely set 47 minutes aside and hear Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s phone chat with Fogged Clarity here.
Gorillaz dropped a free iPad-created LP, The Fall, before Damon Albarn turns his attention to a few other projects.
Lauryn Hill is back!
The great guitarist and Tom Waits collaborator Marc Ribot performed a live score to an 8mm silent film version of Dracula.
The Decemberists are streaming their (excellent) new album, The King is Dead, here.