L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Long-running L.A. art-rock duo Sparks will have a new album next year and brothers Ron and Russell Mael have put together an ambitious film teaser for the project. Coming off their collaboration with Franz Ferdinand in 2015, which yielded the album Ã... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — Nick McCarthy, who very recently parted ways with Franz Ferdinand, is now backing his wife Manuela Gernedel in a new musical project. Going simply by Manuela, the collaboration is not too far from the low-fi post-punk Nick made with Box Codax... Cont... more info

Stereogum — This past Friday, Franz Ferdinand announced that guitarist Nick McCarthy would be leaving the band for the time being, the group’s first lineup change in their 16-year history. The decision arose out of a desire to spend more time with his family r... more info

Consequence of Sound — Longtime member calls it quits to spend more time with his family. more info

Brooklyn Vegan — We're sad to report that Franz Ferdinand founding guitarist Nick McCarthy is parting ways with the band... Continue reading… more info

Stereogum — Guitarist Nick McCarthy has been a part of the angular Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand since the band started in 2002. He’s recorded four albums with the band, as well as one with the associated project FFS. And now he’s stepping out. The band... more info

NME — Member parts way with group due to family commitments more info

NME — Jessie Ware, Franz Ferdinand and Hot Chip also sign a pro-EU open letter more info

Stereogum — Four members of Midlake, spearheaded by Eric Pulido, have formed a new supergroup called Banquet, and have recruited Band Of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy to join them. ... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — Midlake: half of these guys are in Banquet Jason Lytle is a busy guy. In addition to the new Grandaddy record that's being recorded currently, he's also part of a new supergroup called Banquet that also features his pal Ben... more info