Guardian Music — It's the coalition that gives! Here's more free music from across the globe with the latest instalment of the Music Alliance PactEach month, the Music Alliance Pact – a team of 34 music blogs from around the world, including this one – simultaneo... more info

Guardian Music — A week in the life of the Vampire Weekend singer more info

411 Mania — To aid oil spill victims… more info

NME — 'Gasoline Rainbows' will be released on November 30 more info

XLR8R — Twenty-first-century world music—that is, music that looks to, borrows from, and name-drops artists and genres from different parts of the globe—has frequently been met with discomfort and thorny arguments about appropriation and authenticity, al... more info

Guardian Music — Sage, Gateshead"When I look at the time I have left," Hugh Masekela told the Guardian last week, "I have to hurry up." This may explain why the great South African trumpeter is such a bundle of energy on stage. Apparently aged 71 (you would never bel... more info

Guardian Music — After years of honing their tight harmonies, southern Californians Local Natives are breaking out. But they've suffered a few comparisons too manyImagine a band that sings harmonies like Fleet Foxes. Whose arrangements twist and turn like Grizzly Bea... more info

Guardian Music — Show based on life of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti faces $5m lawsuitHailed as the Muhammad Ali, James Brown and Bob Dylan of Africa all wrapped into one, modern hip-hop wouldn't exist without Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late Afrobeat star.But Kut... more info

The Culture Of Me — (photo by Esther White) Are you a fan of Columbia prepsters Vampire Weekend? Do you live in or near Las Vegas, NV? Do you ache to be in the same hotel as the cast of “The Real World” from that one season where there were too many hot tub moments ... more info

Guardian Music — Want the xx in the palm of your hand? There's an app for that, finds Chris SalmonAt the beginning of this year, the xx teamed up with music video director Saam Farahmand to create xx: A Sculpture of the Album. The idea was to create a "3D physical in... more info