Sweeping The Nation — A new weekly post for this summer where we guide you through the sets you should be seeing at British festivals the following weekend. Please note that a) we cannot be held responsible for clashes and b) we haven't heard and judged every band here, m... more info

Chorus.fm — Hit the replies to hear the *Alessi's Ark* (http://www.alessiark.com) cover of "Afraid Of Everyone" by *The National* (http://www.absolutepunk.net/thenational). The song is taken from her forthcoming album The Still Life and was produced by Nic Nell ... more info

Chorus.fm — Listen to a brand new track by *Alessi's Ark* (http://www.alessisark.com) titled "The Rain" in the replies. The new album, The Still Life, is released via Bella Union on April 15th in the UK and April 30th in North America and was produced by Nic Nel... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — photos by Sarahana First Aid Kit @ Mercury Lounge One night before they opened for Lykke Li at Wellmont Theater, Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit headlined their own sold out show at Mercury Lounge which was their last NYC... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — words by Rachel Kowal, photos by David Andrako Thirty minutes before the opening act, Webster Hall was already getting crowded - good news for Alessi's Ark, the opening act. Much like Laura Marling, Alessi Laurent-Marke combines acoustic guitar-based... more info

Perez Hilton — We love it when something feels so different that it's hard to describe what it sounds like! At just 21 years old, London native Alessi's Ark is mad talented! Her music has an old-timey feel to it and her voice a hint of quirkiness but a whole lot of... more info

Totally Fuzzy — Nobody in their right mind would question the overall quality of Canadian music, but if you're one of those few with the wrong mind, here's a sampler to get you on the right track. The occasion is of course Liverpool Sound City - 19th, 20th, 21st ... more info

Guardian Music — Canadian heavy rockumentary stars Anvil turn the volume up to 11 (21 Jun-11 Jul, tour begins Corporation, Sheffield) ...As if that wasn't enough histrionic rock riffing for you, Guitar hero Slash will be assaulting ears on a solo tour (20-25 Jul, tou... more info

DrownedInSound — A solid album of pleasant, though slightly conventional, country pop songs. Read the full story on DrownedinSound.com more info

Guardian Music — (Bella Union)As precocious as Laura Marling but endowed with a less burdened spirit (which could be why she hasn't captured the public's imagination to the same degree), 20-year-old Londoner Alessi Laurent-Marke is now on her second album of gentle ... more info