Guardian Music — Drummer with the Band whose career stretched in many other directions has died of cancer aged 71A shorthand way of describing Levon Helm, who has died of cancer aged 71, would be as the drummer with the Band. This would have made him eminent enough, ... more info

Guardian Music — Grammy-winning blues pianist who played with Muddy Waters for 11 yearsThe blues pianist and singer Pinetop Perkins, who has died aged 97, was not only one of the oldest musicians in the blues community, but also still an active one, playing regularly... more info

Guardian Music — From Steve Mason to Snoop, guardian.co.uk/music readers keep us in the know on the first day of Glastonbury@jazm ROFL @ Rolf•@Rory_Foster The Cheek show potential but material's a bit thin. Think I'll wait for the second album when their songwritin... more info

Guardian Music — (Double Six)Anyone with an ounce of empathy in them will find Steve Mason's third solo album, the first to be released under his own name, a sombre listen. As King Biscuit Time and Black Affair, or as part of the Beta Band, his troubled lyrics were s... more info

DrownedInSound — Steve Mason, the creative force behind The Beta Band and other aliases such as King Biscuit Time, has spoken candidly about his struggles with depression in the last few years and thoughts of suicide, in an interview with The Guardian. Read the... more info

Guardian Music — The last time Dave Simpson met Steve Mason, he went missing the next day. The ex-Beta Band singer reveals how self-harm and near suicide brought out the best in his musicIn spring 2006, Steve Mason was holed up in the remote Scottish fishing village ... more info

Nialler9 — After the announcement that the former Beta Band frontman is playing Electric Picnic, it has been revealed that Steve Mason recently signed to an imprint of Domino Records called Double Six. The first single ‘Lost & Found’ is a Beta Band-esque ... more info

Pitchfork — Artist: Steve MasonAlbum: Boys OutsideRelease Date: May 3Label: Double Six Tracklist: 01 Understand My Heart 02 Am I Just a Man 03 The Letter 04 Yesterday 05 Lost & Found 06 I Let Her In 07 Stress Position 08 All Come Down 09 Boys Outside 10 Hound... more info

Stereogum — While his old comrades act like aliens, ex-Beta Band vocalist Steve Mason's kept himself busy with the ongoing King Biscuit Time and then his Black Affair moniker. Taking a look at his website and MySpace, though, it turns out this airy new track fro... more info