Mjsbigblog — I LOVE when two Idols from two different seasons get together to make sweet sweet music! Here is Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks and Season 7’s Michael Johns joining forces on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” at the Red, White & Black affair o... more info

Mjsbigblog — Today’s Idol Appearances Jordin Sparks’ Jordin Sparks Experience event begins in Arlington TX with the Teddy Bear Picnic at 1 pm and the Red, White and Black Affair at 7 pm.  Michael Johns and more are set to participate. Michael Sarver will b... more info

Guardian Music — (Double Six)Anyone with an ounce of empathy in them will find Steve Mason's third solo album, the first to be released under his own name, a sombre listen. As King Biscuit Time and Black Affair, or as part of the Beta Band, his troubled lyrics were s... more info

Guardian Music — Our music team pick the songs or albums, old or new, they just can't turn offLos Campesinos! There Are Listed Buildings Squawking guitars, brassy shouts of "ba-ba" and lyrics about drinking from a sandcastle bucket ... the Cardiff-based seven-piece'... more info

Stereogum — While his old comrades act like aliens, ex-Beta Band vocalist Steve Mason's kept himself busy with the ongoing King Biscuit Time and then his Black Affair moniker. Taking a look at his website and MySpace, though, it turns out this airy new track fro... more info

The Vinyl Villain — I first started coming to The Vinyl Villain attracted by the copious coverage of 80s indie. It was probably some Orange Juice or Edwyn Collins that first caught my eye. Being a soon-to-be middle aged Mancunian 80s indie forms a substantial part of my... more info

Pitchfork — The Concrete and Glass festival will gather a heap of talent in the Shoreditch area of London from October 2-3. Set to take the stages at a variety of spots around Shoreditch: TV on the Radio, Lindstrøm, Fujiya & Miyagi, Lykke Li, Frightened Rabbit,... more info

DJmag — Beta Band frontman's dazzling electro project more info

DJmag — Beta Band frontman's dazzling electro project more info

Pitchfork — Scottish psych-poppers (and former Beta Banders) the Aliens keep their feet on the ground but still reach for the stars on their follow-up to 2007's Astronomy for Dogs. This time out, they've fixed their gaze on Luna, due in the UK September 29 via t... more info