Guardian Music — Last week was all about heading downstream. This time, we want you to suggest songs that push you out of your comfort zoneIt turned out to be an unusual week. The augurs were there when comments were set to close in 2009, a gaffe for which I'd like t... more info

411 Mania — Drummers seldom move successfully from behind their snares and cymbals into the solo spotlight. Gene Parsons, long time stickman for The Byrds, gave it a shot, and the results are the focus of this week's Thrifty Tunes. more info

Guardian Music — Last week was all about enduring alcohol-induced headaches. Now we want you to row, row, row your boat gently down the streamIt feels (just like) starting over. Or it feels like it's still Christmas. But it's not. It's nigh-on mid-January. It's froze... more info

Pitchfork - Forkcast — We've been following Washington D.C.-via-Brooklyn artist Byrds of Paradise for a little while, and we've just gotten word of a release to follow up the "Rowena" 7" we shared with you last year. Recorded with Jarvis Taveniere of Woods, "Omega Man" ... more info

Stereogum — Violens is a band with great taste. That, and it's not often a pop group can include Ulver and Burzum in their list of influences and find a way to back it up sonically. Outside the metal, their frozen blend of Durutti Column's spacious post-punk ... more info

Live Daily — In 1985, after countless hit records, Grammy nominations, American Music Awards, and gold and platinum albums, J.D. Souther [ tickets ]--one of the principal architects of Southern California country-rock--decided to walk away from his solo career, s... more info

Guardian Music — It's a big challenge for any songwriter: can you capture that moment when a life changes forever, asks Rob Fitzpatrick?It's a big challenge for any songwriter: can you capture that moment when a life changes forever?Some things stick with you your ... more info

Songs:Illinois — The Pantones are a Lansing, Michigan based band that ably mixes americana with power pop. I’m up for checking out any band that styles it’s music after both the Byrds and REM. On the new record Inside The Sun’s Wild Flame they combine pedal st... more info

Guardian Music — The woozy sound of these shoegazers has won over Chris Martin, who knows a thing or two about sending people to sleepHometown: London.The lineup: Tim Crompton (lead vocals, guitar), Stuart Peck (guitar, vocals), Alexia Hagen (keyboards, vocals).The b... more info

L.A. Times - Entertainment — At a church fundraiser in Central California on Saturday night, the musician who made a name for himself in the 1960s with the Byrds shows he still has a lot of good music in him. ... more info