Guardian Music — They may not have a Facebook page, but for all their online mystery, JJ's light and lovely music is pretty transparentHometown: Gothenburg, Sweden.The lineup: Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander.The background: We don't know much about JJ, and nor does ... more info

Totally Fuzzy — 004 said... Santana - Blues for Salvador Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger http://zerozerofour.blogspot.com DOUBLE AVENUE said... TECHNO MIT STORUNGEN - ein project von Jon Rose (1995) This record is an edited version of the piece TECHNO MIT ... more info

Pitchfork — The genre-blurring British dance-pop pioneers Saint Etienne (whose Bob Stanley has, full disclosure, contributed to Pitchfork) are now deep into a campaign to reissue their original albums. We've already heard deluxe new editions of Foxbase Alpha, Co... more info

Guardian Music — This Cardiff outfit are helping to reclaim C86 territory from Brooklyn bands such as Vivian Girls and the Pains of Being Pure At HeartHometown: Cardiff.The lineup: Liz (vocals, keyboards), Ryan (bass), Rich (drums), Steph (violin, vocals), Harri (gui... more info

Spinner.com — French pop singer-songwriter Sliimy (pronounced "slimmy"), aka Yanis Sahraoui, was the first recording artist to be signed to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton's label, Perezcious, an imprint of Warner Music Group. His debut album, 'Paint Your Face,' ha... more info

The Vinyl Villain — Back in June 1995, Edwyn Collins enjoyed a huge hit in the UK with A Girl Like You. It climbed as high as #4, but it spent what seemed like the whole summer hanging around in the charts. More importantly, there was similar success in many European c... more info

Guardian Music — This French DJ and producer is being hailed as a bona fide eclectic warrior, capable of flitting wildly between stylesHometown: London.The lineup: Julian Brambilla.The background: They've been great, haven't they, this year's Guardian Albums of 2009?... more info

Here Comes The Flood — The Steepwater Band (l. to. r): Jeff Masey, Todd Bowers, Joe Winters Chicago power blues trio The Steepwater Band are gearing up for their first ever full scale European tour. They have two dates in the States before they fly to Spain to support Mar... more info

Stereogum — Violens is a band with great taste. That, and it's not often a pop group can include Ulver and Burzum in their list of influences and find a way to back it up sonically. Outside the metal, their frozen blend of Durutti Column's spacious post-punk ... more info

Pitchfork - Forkcast — Back in October we told you about Violens, the project of ex-Lansing-Dreiden member Jorge Elbrecht, their remix of the Very Best, and their new 7" coming out in the UK via Chess Club. Now with a full-length on the way, Violens are offering a free "Wi... more info