Pitchfork — Ever since the demise of mid-1990s alt-poppers That Dog, frontwoman Petra Haden has kept herself busy, whether by touring as a member of the Decemberists, or with projects like her 2005 solo a cappella cover of The Who Sell Out. And Haden's experienc... more info

Pitchfork — Front page photo by Ahmed Klink Canadian indie pop dramatists Stars will release new album The Five Ghosts on June 22, via their own Soft Revolution imprint. Before the album drops, the band will tour North America, playing The Five Ghosts in full ev... more info

Live Daily — (LiveDaily.com) The guitarist, bassist and accordion player from The Decemberists have teamed with Portland, OR, violinist Annalisa Tornfelt and guitarist Jon Neufeld to create a hybrid string band that springs from UK folk, French cabaret and bluegr... more info

Here Comes The Flood — Want some free music and climate change? USA citizens are encouraged to write to their senators to make it happen. And there is a free Best of Bonnaroo album up for grabs after entering some information at musicforaction.org. You don't have to ca... more info

NME — The Decemberists, Death Cab For Cutie and Jack Johnson also feature more info

Guardian Music — Weighing up true love against the cold truth of mortality – the amorous and the anatomical – is a surprisingly effective wooing techniqueA friend of mine recently lent me a copy of some collected short stories written by the American wr... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — Madeline Ava covers Neutral Milk Hotel's classic album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea with only her voice and a ukulele (and the occasional kazoo). You Ain't No Picasso shares a collection of Decemberists covers. At eMusic, indie rockers sha... more info

Here Comes The Flood — Aussie indie band The Middle East from Townsville, Queensland, have made an EP with a big name. The Recordings of The Middle East has only five tracks, ranging from ethereal musings to post-rock (well, almost). Working in a segment dominated by a... more info

Stereogum — We're told Califunya, the pressingly precious new web-series created by Lavender Diamond's Becky Stark, "parodies a high school play that is parodying a kids' show from the '60s as performed by grown-ups." But even if you didn't know about the man... more info

Pitchfork - Tours — 01-20 Sydney, Australia - Sydney Festival 201001-22 Sydney Australia - Big Day Out Festival (Sydney Showground)01-23 Sydney Australia - Big Day Out Festival (Sydney Showground)01-24 Melbourne, Australia - Billboard01-25 Melbourne, Australia - Billboa... more info