http://athensblur.com Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:39:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en What do you call three rambunctious southern souls with a tendency to blur the line between rock and country, and who’ll kindly ask you to check any preconceived notions of a “chick band” at the door? Jessie,Nikki, and Kelley Darlin. Those Darlins live together, travel together and make sweet punk-esque, boot-stompin’ country ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/weekend-show-pick-those-darlins-at-tasty-world-uptown/ After a decade with Sony’s Epic Records, Jennifer Lopez is leaving the major label. In a statement released this week, she said : “At this point, I have fulfilled all my contractual obligations to Sony and we have come to an amiable decision.” The pop diva has sold millions under the label ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/j-lo-leaves-sony-records/ Another round of artists is helping out Haiti with a new compilation disc, Hear to Help, available at American Eagle stores.  Vampire Weekend, Beck, Air, of Montreal, Grizzly Bear, and more appear on the album that features rarities, covers and remixes. All proceeds from the compilation will benefit Oxfam America.  ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/air-beck-of-montreal-more-contribute-to-haiti-benefit-compilation/ Vampire Weekend is everywhere.  You just can't get away from the Brooklyn based quartet who are blowing up the charts with their latest, Contra. And they are headed back to the small screen on March 6th, when they will appear for a second time on SNL. While many of us ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/vampire-weekend-to-appear-on-snl/ Thanks to the ever-expanding digital world, everyone who caught on before Broken Bells' label, was able to check out the first ever Broken Bells' show in Los Angeles, where a fan recorded it and promptly posted it on YouTube.During the debut show, Broken Bells (who consist of duo James Mercer ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/broken-bells-cover-neutral-milk-hotel-in-first-show/ The Republic Tigers may be best known for their music that has been featured on prime time network television, but they hope to change that sooner rather than later. The band was formed in Kansas City, Missouri by Kenn Jankowski and Adam McGill, who had a long history of off-and-on ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/artist-of-the-day-the-republic-tigers/ A suffering EMI— who has been experiencing financial hardship since 2007— has retracted its plans to sell Abbey Road studios. Earlier reports said the music company, whose clients include Robbie Williams, Coldplay and Lily Allen, had been negotiating with prospective buyers despite the shock among fans to sell the historic venue. The ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/abbey-road-studios-not-for-sale/ U2 continues their 360º tour & they've studded it out with other acts, now including New York's Interpol.  Also along for the ride are Lenny Kravitz and the Fray.  Kinda strange lineup ... ?Thankfully, Interpol will be reentering the music scene this year after a solo project by lead singer, ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/interpol-hops-on-tour-with-u2/ Musicians and other celebrities sometimes attempt to make a foray into politics, but it's not usually the other way around. This week, Condoleeza Rice proves to be an exception to the rule, as she's set to play piano at a concert raising funds for a California school.   According to ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/condi-rice-to-play-piano-at-concert/ The always mind-bending Animal Collective is ready to make their art official with an upcoming exhibition at NYC's Guggenheim Museum. The band + Danny Perez, their visual man, will debut a piece called Transverse Temporal Gyrus.  Quite a name.  The exhibition will include new Animal Collective projections, music, costumes and ... http://athensblur.com/2010/02/animal-collective-to-debut-exhibition-at-guggenheim/