ContactMusic — The Pogues frontman Shane Macgowan has revealed ghosts help him write his hits.The boozy singer has confessed he often sees dead people - and they... more info

ContactMusic — Irish rocker Shane Macgowan is turning his back on touring after growing tired of life on the road.The Pogues frontman is a prolific live performer... more info

Guardian Music — She wrote incisive lyrics, sang exquisite harmonies and graced arguably the greatest Christmas single ever. Yet Kirsty MacColl has somehow been erased from the story of British pop. Will the re-release of her first four albums finally change that?Nex... more info

Guardian Music — She first saw Kirsty on TV when she was nine, but the penny dropped for Jude Rogers in her 20sHer name got me first – Kirsty. It was such an ordinary name, much more suitable for girls in my school than people on Top of the Pops. But there she was:... more info

Guardian Music — Twice a week we invite independent bloggers to tell us about what they do. Today, a site from a UK old-school romanticistWho are you and what's your blog called?I'm Steve Worrall and the blog is called Retro Man.Where are you based?The UK.Describe yo... more info

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 — (PIAS)To paraphrase the Manic Street Preachers: if you tolerate Mumford & Sons, then Skinny Lister will be next. You see, this five-piece folk act love a good hoedown and wouldn't say no to the odd sea shanty, either. They've been mentioned in th... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — The Guardian reviews James Fearnley's memoir, Here Comes Everybody: The Story of the Pogues. Book Riot's new feature "Growing Up With" links picture books, middle reader, and teen books by theme or concept. The first entry is on robots. Fictionaut... 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