Guardian Music — The music blogger picks the songs that mean the most to him as part of our Six Songs of Me projectI'm Andy from The Von Pip Musical Express; an award winning music blog, bringing together the best new music, interviews, reviews and free downloads. We... more info

Guardian Music — This week's playlist slaked a major thirst for beer in song, be it sad, profound, lost or bellowingRR commenter Pairubu, who suggested this topic, sings the praises of beer, "the most convivial of drinks". Yet our request last week for your favourite... more info

Guardian Music — A memoir of the Pogues and their self-destructive frontmanLast year, the interiors magazine Livingetc offered its readers a feature on Christmas decorations. One suggestion was that they fix a chalkboard sticker to the wall and write festive lyrics o... more info

Guardian Music — The hard rocker has handpicked a veteran Dutch post-punk group to open for him at Hammersmith. Is this the strangest support choice ever?Sometimes, even in music, it's wiser to go with your head than your heart. The big romantic gesture is all very w... more info

Guardian Music — Regular host Alexis Petridis is somewhere across the Atlantic this week, so Kieran Yatesis joined by Michael Hann, who exclusively reveals what he used to wear at funk gigs as a young man. Jude Rogers is our guest.James Fearnely, accordion player fo... more info

Guardian Music — Finally, a folk troupe whose bonhomie doesn't make us wretch. Think of them as the Pogues with good teethHometown: London.The lineup: Daniel Heptinstall (songwriter, vocals, stomp box, acoustic guitar), Lorna Thomas (vocals, ukelele), Maxwell Thomas ... more info

Guardian Music — City Halls, GlasgowWhat a pity we don't hear Richard Ayres in the UK more often. Since moving to the Netherlands in the late 80s – he went to study with Louis Andriessen and ended up staying – he has made his musical home on the continent, but re... more info

Guardian Music — Which is the greatest autobiography by a musician? Six readers tell us their thoughtsEarlier this week we asked readers to tell us about their favourite musical autobiographies. Here are a few of the responses we received.Scott Homiak on A Drink with... more info

Guardian Music — Influential banjo player and last of the four founding members of folk band formed in 1962 died in Dublin hospital aged 72Barney McKenna, the last founding member of the Irish folk band the Dubliners, has died aged 72.It is understood McKenna collaps... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — The band's annual love note to Shane MacGowan's beery outfit takes inspiration from "El Batallon de Los San Patricios," a group of Irish-American soldiers who fought on the Mexican side of the Mexican-American War. more info