Josh Homme has filmed a new skit for Scissor Sisters as an introduction to new album 'Magic Hour'.

Scissor Sisters have a reputation for knowing, camp, self-effacing humour. Perhaps that's only appropriate - the band are unashamedly pop, taking their cue from the disco era and classic 80s vamps.

New album 'Magic Hour' is another dose of fun, frothy pop music. Set to be released on Monday (May 28th), the album will be followed by a summer of live shows.

Need more convincing? Well here's Josh Homme in a new infomercial to explain more.

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Looking ahead, Scissor Sisters are set to play a full nationwide tour this Autumn. Dates are as follows:

October
1 Dublin Olympia
2 Belfast Waterfront
15 Portsmouth Guildhall
16 Leeds O2 Academy
19 Glasgow Barrowlands
20 Manchester Apollo
22 Bristol Colston Hall
23 London Roundhouse

Click here to buy tickets for Scissor Sisters!

The Stone Roses are set to play a free show in Warrington tonight (May 23rd).

Just the news we need on a sunny day...

From The Stone Roses Facebook page:

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The Stone Roses will play a short set tonight (Wednesday 23rd May) at Warrington Parr Hall.

This is a free concert. Fans can collect one wristband per person from the Warrington Pyramid box office (next to Warrington Parr Hall) from 4pm today.

To qualify for a free ticket to this very special warm up show fans will need to take a Stone Roses CD inlay cover, record sleeve, official band t-shirt or Heaton Park ticket with them to the Pyramid box office in order to get a wrist band.

All entrants must be aged 14+.

Doors will be at 8pm.

The charity HUGS ('Helping Uganda Schools') will be collecting donations at the venue.

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Here's 'Waterfall'.

Photo Credit: Pennie Smith

Peace first made an impression with their debut single ‘Follow Baby’, a shattering grunge-esque concoction of mucky noise and distortion.

Speaking about the signing, the band said: "Signing with Columbia means that we are going to pour our everything over the next whatever into creating a record & basically no one can stop us. Not reality nor consequence. It's a bit like getting knocked up. We just had some unprotected sex with Columbia & we're keeping it.”

Celebrating the signing, Peace ordered a billboard to be put up in their hometown of Birmingham, which reads ‘WHAT THE FCK BIRMINGHAM’.

“We demanded a billboard from the label, kind of as a joke, and they 100% pulled through. It's one of those moments where the joke goes just far enough before someone gets hurt. No one is hurting."

‘Li’l Echo’, the b-side to their debut single, is out now and can be heard here:

Coming off the leg of a massive headline tour, a European tour with Manic Street Preachers and a triumphant support slot with Mystery Jets at Brixton Academy, the tour will continues with them playing in the following places:

June
2 Bristol Dot To Dot
3 Nottingham Dot To Dot
4 Manchester Dot To Dot

26 Birmingham HMV Institute

Click here to buy tickets for PEACE!

Words by Jamie Carson

Nathan Fake is set to return later this year, with new single 'Iceni Strings' due to be released on June 11th.

Norfolk's a funny old place. East Anglia is almost a world of its own, operating in a different, unexplored time zone. Which certainly explains the work of prime retro-Futurist (and Norfolk resident) Nathan Fake.

Returning with a new album later this year, the producer has opted to give fans a quick preview. 'Iceni Strings' will be given a full single release on June 11th, but until then it's available to stream in this handy widget.

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The Iceni were seemingly an ancient Celtic tribe, who lived in Norfolk millennia ago. Musing on this, Nathan Fake claimed recently that 'Iceni Strings' contained a melody which is "memorable in the way a lot of ancient folk music is".

Later, the producer placed his tongue firmly in his cheek to suggest: "I just felt like the whole track had a total Celtic tribal campfire vibe to it!"

Nathan Fake is set to release new album 'Steam Days' through Border Community this August.

Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis has voiced his support for upcoming new festival Strummer of Love, which supports music charity Strummerville.

Eavis states: "I got to know Joe in the last years of his life, and his support in our unpopular campaign to control the numbers here in 2002 was invaluable to me. It's good to know that the spirit of Strummerville will still be alive in our part of the world, especially in our year off."

Michael Eavis has incorporated parts of Strummerville into Glastonbury for years, one being the campfire, and these ideals will also be incorporated into this festival. Strummer saw it as an art form in itself and his annual Glastonbury campfires were legendary places where people could come to drink, talk and laugh with like-minded individuals surrounded by great music. Strummerville: The Joe Strummer New Music Foundation will be presenting the most exciting and emerging talent around on this year's intimate stage.

The last of the lineup for the festival has also been announced. Joining The Pogues, Frank Turner, Bill Bragg and Roots Manuva (among many others) will be King Charles, The Farm and The Men They Couldn’t Hang.

Taking place on the weekend of August 17th - 19th, the one-off festival will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of iconic Clash frontman Joe Strummer and will be held at a beautiful location in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset.

Words by Jamie Carson

Dancehall star Busy Signal has been served extradition papers in Jamaica as part of an ongoing court case.

The past 12 months have seen the Dancehall scene outstrip Hip Hop in terms of sheer braggadocio. Vybz Kartel was arrested on suspicion of murder, and - such is the strength of his reputation - rumours of a potential jail break sent Twitter into meltdown.

Now Busy Signal has been served extradition orders. Born in Jamaica, the artist lived as a resident alien in the United States for almost a decade.

Despite not having a valid US visa, Busy Signal was able to tour Europe and beyond. Now the Jamaica Observer has alleged that the Dancehall artist has been served extradition papers by the United States government after fleeing the country.

The newspaper reports that Busy Signal is accused of removing his ankle bracelet tracking device and returning to Jamaica following a cocaine bust. Billboard has traced the ongoing drugs case, seemingly given the catalogue number Minnesota District Court Case No. 0:02-cr-00054-JMR-FLN: USA v. Gordon.

Busy Signal - born Glendale Goshia Gordon - has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, three counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine (level 4) and a third charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

As Billboard point out, the Level 4 signifier indicates conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms - which is a lot of cocaine.

The case is ongoing. Here's early Busy Signal cut 'Nah Go Jail Again'.

Cats & Cats & Cats are to part company with a new compilation - stream a preview track below.

The climate for artists hoping to do things on their own terms has rarely been more competitive. With that in mind, it's a wonder that indie types Cats & Cats & Cats were able to get as far as they did.

Parting company earlier this year, the band left behind them a modest but impeccable back catalogue. Now Function Records are stepping in to offer fans a handy compendium of Cats & Cats & Cats, with the snappily titled 'Catsalogue' set to drop on Monday (May 28th).

Containing singles, album tracks, offcuts, demos and more 'Catsalogue' is a nice collection of a band who - frankly - deserved a lot better.

Stream 'A Boy Called Haunts' below.

Here's their final message:

"From the end of February 2012 the band once known as Cats and Cats and Cats will be coming to an end. It’s with heavy hearts we say this but they’re also happy hearts as they’re full of great memories and fondness for both each other and the people who’ve helped us over the years. Of which there have been so many we’re going to fill a whole blog with thank you messages to all the people we can remember that we owe so much to."

'Catsalogue' is set to be released on May 28th.

Perfume Genius is set to play a number of British shows this Autumn, including a set at the Union Chapel.

Returning earlier this year, Perfume Genius - or Michael Hadreas, to give him his real name - unveiled another beautiful, evocative batch of songwriting. New album 'Put Your Back N 2 It' has received across the board acclaim, with everyone from ClashMusic to Michael Stipe and back lavishing praise upon its tender frame.

Recently dropping by London to perform at St Pancras Church, Perfume Genius will spend summer on the road. Returning to the UK in Autumn, the songwriter is set to open the tour dates with a show in Leeds on August 30th.

Hitting Cardiff, the shows continue with dates at the End of the Road festival, Glasgow event SWG3 and more. Ending with a London concert, Perfume Genius is set to perform on the tranquil confines of the Union Chapel. A perfect pairing there, me thinks...

Pre-sale is open now. Tickets are set to go on general sale this Friday (May 25th).

Here's 'Dark Parts'.

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Perfume Genius is set to play the following shows:

August
30 Leeds Brudenell Social Club
31 Cardiff The Globe

September
1 Dorset End Of The Road Festival
4 Glasgow SWG3
5 Birmingham Glee Club
6 London Union Chapel

Click here to buy tickets for Perfume Genius!

alt-J are streaming their debut album 'An Awesome Wave' online in its entirety - listen to it now.

Occupying the position we do, new bands are flung at ClashMusic every day - however alt-J have something special. A series of wonderful live shows and the odd beautiful single have led us to this, their debut album.

'An Awesome Wave' is set to be released on Monday (May 28th) with early reviews tipping them for glory. Clash writer Joe Zadeh was suitably impressed, writing: "Like many felt when The xx released their eponymous LP, it seemed too complete and rounded to ever be a debut. Alt-J are similarly composed. Young, yet somehow void of naivety. Vibrant, yet artistically matured. Even the naff name will slowly grow on you. More like this, please!"

Read the full review HERE.

alt-J are now streaming their debut album online. Listen to 'An Awesome Wave' in its entirety below, a week before its release.

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alt-J have also confirmed a number of headline shows:

May
24 Dublin Academy 2
25 Belfast The Stiff Kitten
26 Sheffield The Harley
28 Glasgow Art College
29 Newcastle Cluny
30 Birmingham Hare & Hounds

June
1 Bristol Cooler

Click here to buy tickets for alt-J!

London newcomers Spector are set to release new album ‘Enjoy It While It Lasts’ on August 13th.

Woe betide any band labelled as 'indie's great hope'. The tag is poisonous for anyone it lands upon - just ask Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong, or countless other newcomers shattered by hype.

So it's perhaps with a nod and a wink that Spector have named their debut album 'Enjoy It While It Lasts'. Due for release on August 13th, it follows near 12 months of feverish gigs, exciteable reviews and - naturally - plentiful hype.

A note from Fred Macpherson to explain a little more about the album: “Pop music is the perfect medium for turning pain into entertainment. As this dawned on me over the last year, our album evolved into the most exhilarating outlet for the bi-products of romance, heartbreak, nostalgia and social monotony. It took five band members, six months and seven producers to make this record, and I've never taken anything more seriously in my whole life".

"Life is short and happiness is fleeting. We search for it all our lives expecting that it will arrive and then everything will change. But if and when it does, it comes and goes. It's not forever: Nothing is. We need to savour every moment of love and pleasure. We need to enjoy it will it lasts”.

‘Enjoy It While It Lasts’ will be released on August 13th. Yonder sits the cover art, below lies the tracklisting:

1. True Love (For Now)
2. Chevy Thunder
3. Grey Shirt & Tie
4. Twenty Nothing
5. Friday Night, Don't Ever Let It End
6. Lay Low
7. Upset Boulevard
8. No Adventure
9. What You Wanted
10. Celestine
11. Grim Reefer
12. Never Fade Away

White Denim are set to release their new album ‘Takes Place in Your Work Space’ on June 25th.

White Denim just can't stop. The Texan band returned with new album 'D' last year - a superb distillation of everything they set out to achieve. Since then, the band have gathered a few experimental offcuts onto a recent compilation, before releasing a few covers.

Tackling R Kelly's 'Don't You Say No' it seems that the cover was designed as the introduction to a new EP. ‘Takes Place in Your Work Space’ is to gain a UK release this summer, with the EP set to drop via Downtown on June 25th.

Meanwhile, White Denim have launched their latest British tour. Opening last night (June 22nd), the Texan four piece - a stunning live act in anyone's book - tread the boards at the Forum.

Part of a short British tour, the American band will also play headline dates in Manchester and Leeds. Tickets are on sale now.

Here's 'Don't You Say No'.

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White Denim are set to play the following shows:

May
23 Manchester The Ritz
24 Leeds Cockpit

Click here to buy tickets for White Denim!

The Barclaycard Mercury Prize is set to have a major shake up later this year.

Showcasing the best in British and Irish music for two decades, the Barclaycard Mercury Prize remains one of the most high profile award ceremonies around. Capable to launching new careers (step forward, Gomez) or providing breakthrough moments (hello, Elbow) the award is always a talking point.

This year organisers have decided to do something a little different. Shifting location to the Roundhouse, the Barclaycard Mercury Prize will set up home in one of rock's most historic venues.

Alongside this, the Barclaycard Mercury Prize is set to gain increased television coverage on Channel 4 with organisers also planning a series of live shows.

In the run up to the event organisers will work on a number of showcase gigs, featuring each of the nominated artists. Running throughout October, the shows will be accompanied by a number of Mercury Prize endorsed youth programs run in conjunction with the Roundhouse.

A quote from Dan Ford, Managing Director of the Mercury Prize: “It’s essential that the Barclaycard Mercury Prize proposition evolves and continues to deliver exciting and engaging experiences that appeal to music fans. By providing access to a whole season of Barclaycard Mercury Prize live events, broadcast coverage and online content, we will be able to help even more people discover and experience the amazing range of new music that comes out of the UK every year - generating more interest in the shortlisted artists and albums than ever before. It’s fantastic news that we are in a position to move forward with these plans in partnership with Barclaycard as part of their ongoing support of music in the UK.”

Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize returns on November 1st.

Mumford & Sons have recorded brand new track 'Learn Me Right' for Pixar film 'Brave'.

Critically reviled, maybe, but right now Mumford & Sons are laughing all the way to the bank. Debut album 'Sigh No More' remains on the charts, continuing to win new fans with its sturdy folk derived songwriting.

Massive in the United States, Mumford & Sons will return to the UK this summer for the Gentlemen of the Road shows. The band could be set to unveil new material at the dates, if recent reports are anything to go by.

NME reports that Mumford & Sons have recorded a new track, which is set to appear on the upcoming Pixar film 'Brave'.

'Learn Me Right' is a previously unreleased song, with Marcus Mumford commenting: "It's quite fun doing a song for a movie rather than for an album. We liked the idea of having an orchestra in the background and having a girl like Birdy sing - it's been quite liberating."

Pixar's Katherine Safarian was seemingly keen to get the band on board. "'Learn Me Right' is an amazing song. I feel something every time I hear it. Mumford & Sons sketched out a piece that would do justice to the culminating moment of the movie, underscoring the emotion, heart and the lessons learned between mother and daughter. They really found that moment of truth in the story we were trying to tell and it takes the movie to a new level at the end."

'Brave' goes on general release from June 22nd. The accompanying soundtrack album drops on June 19th.

Mumford & Sons have confirmed the following shows:

May
30 Cardiff St. David's Hall
31 Folkestone Leas Cliff Pavilion

June
2 Huddersfield Gentlemen of the Road Stopover
4 Bury St Edmunds The Apex
5 Lowestoft Marina Theatre
6 Gateshead The Sage
9 Galway Gentlemen of the Road Stopover

Click here to buy tickets for Mumford & Sons!

Yeasayer are to return, with new album 'Fragrant World' due to be released on August 20th.

Yeasayer do things their own way. The Brooklyn oddballs won widespread acclaim with their extravagant sophomore effort 'Odd Blood', which spawned the joyous anthem 'Ambling Alp'.

Taking time off, the band began piecing together a follow up. Earlier this month, one hundred fans were selected at random and sent a CD-R featuring the brand new Yeasayer track 'Henrietta'.

Urged to spread the song as far as possible, 'Henrietta' quickly began appearing in forums and on torrents. Stream / download the song (legally) HERE.

'Henrietta' is taken from the band's upcoming album 'Fragrant World'. Due for release on August 20th, Mute are set to house the album which is said to be weirder and darker in tone than 'Odd Blood'.

Tracklisting:

1. Fingers Never Bleed
2. Longevity
3. Blue Paper
4. Henrietta
5. Devil and the Deed
6. No Bones
7. Reagan's Skeleton
8. Demon Road
9. Damaged Goods
10. Folk Hero Shtick

Photo Credit: Anna Palma

How To Dress Well has shared a new track, named 'Ocean Floor For Everything'.

Real name Tom Krell, How To Dress Well's fractured, splintered take on R&B turned expectations of what the genre could achieve on their head. Debut album 'Love Remains' was a stunning introduction, both fulfilling and raising expectations of what he could achieve.

Signing with Weird World, Krell is currently working on a PhD. When not buried underneath academia, the producer is working on a new album - with a new taster emerging online this afternoon.

'Ocean Floor For Everything' is all beautifully submerged vocals, before the drums suddenly kick in and the sheer weight of the track seems to puncture any lingering doubts you might have as to the veracity of How To Dress Well's talent.

Download the cut below.

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How To Dress Well is set to release his new album 'Total Loss' this Autumn.

An unheard Lana Del Rey track named 'Never Let Me Go' has leaked onto the internet.

Undoubtedly one of the year's most successful new artists, Lana Del Rey recently confirmed plans for her next single. Stripped from 'Born To Die', album cut 'National Anthem' is set to be released on July 8th.

It's a Sunday release, but no doubt ties in with her upcoming burst of UK shows - Lana Del Rey is set to perform at Lovebox, Isle of Wight, Latitude and more.

As ever, Lana Del Rey will commission a number of remixes with scheduled producers including Tensnake, Todd Terry, Afterlife and DC Breaks.

In related news, an unheard Lana Del Rey track has emerged online. 'Never Let Me Go' is all breathy vocals, half spoken and half sung, with a languid, 50s style backing.

It's not yet known if 'Never Let Me Go' will see an official release, although it could emerge on Lana Del Rey's much rumoured collection of early material. Stream the track below:

Silkie & Quest are set to take charge of the next instalment of Tempa's 'Dubstep Allstars' mix series.

One of the most influential names in bass culture, Tempa have helmed the Dubstep Allstars series for years now. Charting the evolution and progression of dubstep, the compilations act as a barometer for innovation at 140 BPM.

Two pioneers, Silkie & Quest are ideal candidates to take hold of the next instalment in the series. 'Dubstep Allstars Vol. 9' belongs to them, with the duo calling in favours from some high ranking places.

Dubstep may be splintering beyond any recognition, but Silkie & Quest prove that plenty of innovation still exists within the established templates.

Opening with Swindle, the mix contains some exclusive material from Silkie & Quest's own hard drive. Alongside this, the pair manage to coax Digital Mystikz producer Mala into handing over the VIP cut of 'Eyez'.

Speaking recently, Silkie said that the mix "came from a desire to emulate the music I loved - garage and 90s R&B". Continuing, the producer admitted: "I feel a compulsion to add the jazz and the soul to the music, and find it harder to leave it out."

'Dubstep Allstars: Vol.09' is due to be released on July 23rd. Tracklisting:

01/ Swindle - Superhero
02/ Silkie - Lucky
03/ Quest - The Seafront
04/ Swindle - Belfast
05/ Silkie - Get Up and Dance
06/ Quest - Somewhere
07/ Quest - Deep Inside
08/ L Wiz - 4.42 oz
09/ Silkie - Selva Nova
10/ Silkie Vs. Von D - Snowed In
11/ Swindle - Do The Jazz
12/ Mala - Eyez VIP
13/ Mizz Beats & Jay Retro - Level O
14/ Quest - Overcome
15/ Quest - The Unknown
16/ Silkie- Concrete Jungle
17/ Swindle - Forest Funk
18/ Silkie - Mellow Yellow
19/ Silkie - Cyberdub
20/ Skream - Filth (Silkie RMX)
21/ Silkie feat Truth - Feel
22/ Katy B - Witches Brew (Silkie RMX)
24/ Quest - Stand

Charlotte Gainsbourg is set to play a special show at Somerset House on July 19th.

Every summer, Somerset House throws open its doors to usher in a series of live concerts. This year will prove to be no exception, with organisers lining up a number of one off shows from a broad range of artists.

Charlotte Gainsbourg is the latest addition to the line up. The French singer is set to perform in the confines of Somerset House on July 19th, following on from the acclaim lavished upon her double album 'Stage Whisper'.

Released earlier this year, the double disc collection features collaborations with Beck, Conor O’Brien of Villagers and Noah and the Whale.

Set to perform at Somerset House on July 19th, Charlotte Gainsbourg will be joined by lysergic New Zealander Connan Mockasin. Responsible for one of last year's most intriguing debut full lengths, the London based artist will be on hand to supply support.

Tickets are on sale now.

Here's Charlotte Gainsbourg with 'Terrible Angels'.

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Charlotte Gainsbourg is set to play the following show:

July
19 London Somerset House

Click here to buy tickets for Charlotte Gainsbourg!

The Stone Roses have seemingly begun recording new material ahead of their re-union tour.

After fifteen years of rumour, speculation and heartache in the end all it took was a simple press conference to confirm that The Stone Roses had, in fact, reformed.

Promising a world tour and new material, the mercurial Mancs then penned a deal with Universal and Columbia. Now it seems that The Stone Roses have already begun to lay down material for their proposed third album.

Actor Chris Coghill is a close friend of the band, and is currently working on a film about their epochal show at Spike Island. NME report that the film maker recently let slip that the group have “at least three or four new tracks recorded”.

Speaking to the BBC, the film maker revealed a few details about his upcoming project. "Mani and Ian Brown said, 'Whatever we can do to help.' Essentially, it's my love letter to the Stone Roses and being 16 years old in 1990 in Manchester. There's a little bit of me in all the boys."

Continuing, Coghill said: "I'm mates with Mani and I know Ian a bit, and when we first started talking about it, I emailed them both an outline of what we wanted to do and they said, 'You have our support, you have our blessing, whatever you need."

Clash editor Simon Harper attended that fateful press conference, in which The Stone Roses promised new material. "We’ll just keep writing and if it’s our standard, we’ll go" Ian Brown explained. "We’re not here to destroy anything, you know; it’s as precious to us as what it is to someone who has followed us for years. I’ve heard a few people saying, ‘You shouldn’t do it, you’re going to destroy the legacy’, but that’s not our intention".

Read the full transcription HERE.

Photo Credit: Pennie Smith

Legendary singer Tom Jones and Welsh comedian Rob Brydon have teamed up to create a spoof video.

The skit, which features Brydon as a bumbling spiritual medium and Jones as an interrupting punter, makes fun of the singer and his many stories about Elvis Presley and other iconic artists such as Jim Morrison and Frank Sinatra, with Brydon supposedly summoning Elvis’s spirit to the room, in which he comments: “He’s got two messages, he says ‘stop the name dropping’ and ‘take something for that cough'”.

This is not the first time the 'Gavin and Stacey' star has been associated with Tom Jones, as he has frequently covered songs such as ‘Delilah’ and ‘Sex Bomb’ on Radio 4’s ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’.

Watch the video below.

Tom Jones has shot back to mainstream popularity ever since his appearance as a judge on BBC reality talent show The Voice alongside will.i.am, Jessie J and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, in which contestants battle it out in sing-offs to win a recording contract.

The ‘Spirit In The Room’ album is out now. Tracklisting:

1. Tower Of Song (L. Cohen)
2. (I Want To) Come Home (P.McCartney)
3. Hit Or Miss (Odetta)
4. Love And Blessings (P. Simon)
5. Soul Of A Man (Blind Willie Johnson)
6. Bad As Me (T.Waits)
7. Dimming Of The Day (R.Thompson)
8. Travelling Shoes (V. Hall Ward)
9. All Blues Hail Mary (J. Henry)
10. Charlie Darwin (Low Anthem)

Words by Jamie Carson