Guardian Music — Skins seems to be the only show actively trying to break new music in the UK. If more followed its example, there wouldn't just be X Factor finalists and Glee cast members ruling the chartsThere's no question that The X Factor is one of the most powe... more info

ContactMusic — Mark Ronson banned all cover songs on his new album 'The Business'. The music producer - whose 2007 album 'Version' featured successful covers of songs by Kaiser... more info

AngryApe — The producer reveals more names he has collaborated with more info

Guardian Music — Can artists like Richard Ashcroft and LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy really escape their musical past by changing their names?Reading Naomi Klein's 10th anniversary edition of No Logo, I was struck by how many parallels can be drawn between political... more info

NME — Drummer is keeping busy during band's downtime more info

Stopcryingyourheartout.com — [01] BACK TO BEDLAM – James Blunt (2004)[02] NO ANGEL – Dido (1999)[03] BACK TO BLACK – Amy Winehouse (2006)[04] SPIRIT – Leona Lewis (2007)[05] WHITE LADDER – David Gray (1998)[06] 1 – Beatles (2000)[07] LIF... more info

Guardian Music — HMV's bid for Mama comes in the retailer's busiest week of the year as it works flat-out to serve Christmas shoppers. So why the rush? If it can trump a rival bid from Mama shareholder SMS Finance, HMV will acquire venues including Heaven nightclub ... more info

Guardian Music — All good things must come to an end. And so, as Alex Hoban returns from Japan to open Europe's first Osaka-inspired cat cafe, he reflects on the last year of eastern revelations …Japanese music fans love being spat at. Especially by girlsWhen w... more info

Scotsman.com — HE is used to performing in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans. more info

XFM.co.uk — The band take on a classic tune in aid of neglected kids... more info