Producer Disco D Commits Suicide
Update: Ghostly International's Sam Valenti IV Speaks About Disco D

David Shayman, aka up-and-coming hip hop producer, remixer, Ghettotech proliferator (and rumored coiner of the genre's name) Disco D, committed suicide earlier today at age 27, according to MTV.com. Shayman was best known for "Ski Mask Way", his collaboration with 50 Cent on 2005's The Massacre, though he also produced tracks by Trick Daddy, AZ, Lil' Scrappy, and Nina Sky.

UPDATE: Sam Valenti IV, owner of the Ghostly International label, and a friend of Disco D, said the following about Shayman, "Those who knew Dave know he was a once-in-a-lifetime person with an electric and captivating personality. He was a friend without equal, who was selfless with himself and his counsel, consistently living up to his mantra, 'the only thing you can't make more of is time.' He was a relentlessly creative, passionate and ambitious artist whose passion for music illuminated everything he touched."

According to Valenti, Shayman's parents encourage those wishing to honor Disco D's memory make donations to the Neutral Zone, "an Ann Arbor teen center that offers many programs including some related to music and electronic music production." Donations can be made via Paypal here or by calling 734-214-9995.

Valenti adds, "David wanted to help young musicians and producers perfect their craft, as shown by his creation of his message board (www.discod.com/theboards/index.php)."

Also, "Anyone who wants to share any memories, photos or thought about Dave can also send them to fordiscod@ghostly.com"

A memorial service for Shayman will be held on January 25 at 11 a.m. at Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor.

Shayman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan when he was six years old. His proximity to Detroit and the rave scene there inspired the Disco D moniker in November of 1996. After signing his first record contract at 17, Shayman formed his own label, GTI Recordings, just two years later. In addition to graduating with honors from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business (after which he moved to New York City), Shayman was responsible for official remixes of Pharrell, Crime Mob, and Shiny Toy Guns. His other remixees include Usher, Christina Milian, B.G., 8Ball & MJG, Da Brat, and Lords of Acid.

His website boasts that Shayman ran companies with functions that ranged from artist development/A&R to the "import/export of unique products from Brazil," but Shayman's most recent endeavor focused on Brazilian music. He founded the Gringo Louco label and signed BRAZA, whose "Son Do BRAZA" single he produced.

Shayman's own releases include 2001's Straight Out Tha Trunk and 2003's A Night at the Booty Bar (on Tommy Boy). In the bio on his website, he describes his music modus operandi as follows: "Before Disco D was even born, I was a fan of all types of different stuff, from the Beatles and Donna Summer to Charlie Parker and John Coltrane to N.W.A and 2 Live Crew to Pantera, Primus, and GWAR. I didn't have any sort of preconceptions about genres, I just was into what impacted me emotionally."

Though no specific information surrounding Shayman's suicide is available, according to MTV he was bipolar and suffered from depression.

Valenti added, "Dave believed that sharing one's own problems and being open about his mental health was a way to help others. His courage, unrivaled passion, and his consistent dedication to his craft will never be forgotten.

"Personally, Dave was an inspiration and a mentor to me. No one worked harder or wanted to seize life more than him. His guidance, friendship and patience are immeasurable. His family, friends, fans and I are completely devastated by our loss of this amazing man.

It is estimated nearly thirty percent of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at least once in their lives. The suicide rate is twenty times that of the general population. Depression and Bipolar disorder are diseases, not states of mind or inabilities to correct one's mood. I've never known anyone as positive or as hopeful as Dave, his passing is a reminder that mental health is as real and deadly as anything that we more commonly consider to be physical ailments."

Stream: Disco D: Various Tracks

Yorke Pimps Liars, Spank Rock, Malkmus on iTunes
Also: Madvillain, Quasimoto, the Dears, Modeselektor, Boxcutter, Bat for Lashes

While talismans, divining rods, and voodoo have all failed to provide us with any information on the next Radiohead record, this little internet charm might offer a clue as to what it will sound like-- or it might only confound us further.

Thom Yorke has treated iTunes listeners to his very own "Celebrity Playlist", joining the esteemed ranks of Brian Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mandy Moore, and offering up "some stuff that really floats my boats at the moment."

See? Thom Yorke really is more of a man than the rest of us. While one usually only has one boat to float, he has several.

We take our hats off to Thom's ten selections from start to finish, even if we also raise our eyebrows at a few of them. Spank Rock one of Thom's "fav records from last year"? Awesome, but who knew?

Along with raunchy Baltimore club-rap, Mr. Yorke also shares his love for Liars ("more terror from the subconscious"), one-time tour-mate Stephen Malkmus ("genius non-generic nutville not rock music"), and avant-hip-hop phenoms Madvillain and Quasimoto, as well as some Wire-friendly fare (Boxcutter, Modeselektor, and Yorke remixer Surgeon). Nice to see the wonderful Bat for Lashes ("i love the harpsichord and the sexual ghost voices and bowed saws") and the oft-maligned Dears ("it sounds all soppy, oh but then all hell breaks loose") getting some Yorke praise, too.

Purchase downloads of any or all of Thom's picks here, or simply scope the man's complete playlist and commentary after the jump. [MORE...]

Video: Thom Yorke: Harrowdown Hill [from the The Eraser LP]

Walkmen, Kaiser Chiefs to Tour Together

For twelve special shows this April, the Walkmen and Kaiser Chiefs will join forces, bridging the Atlantic Ocean through the power of indie rock. The tour, which is sponsored by the NME, includes support from up-and-comers Annuals and the Little Ones.

The Walkmen are still riding high (er, at mid-level) on October's Harry Nilsson cover record, Pussy Cats, while Kaiser Chiefs will deliver Yours Truly, Angry Mob on February 26 in the UK and in North America on March 27 via Universal.

As previously reported here and here, both bands have a slew of individual dates on the calendar. The Walkmen are gearing up for Australia's Laneway Festival, as well as a U.S. trek with recent the Broken West and Ferraby Lionheart. Kaiser Chiefs, on the other hand, will make the European rounds before hitting the States. [MORE...]

Stream: The Walkmen: All My Life [from the Pussy Cats LP]
Stream: Kaiser Chiefs: Ruby [from the forthcoming Yours Truly, Angry Mob LP]

Lady Sovereign to Open for Gwen Stefani
Akon too! This shit is BANANAS

Does Gwen Stefani read music websites? Last time she toured, the No Doubt princess took M.I.A. along as the opening act for part of her trek. And now, when she hits the road this spring to support last year's (unfairly maligned, cough cough) The Sweet Escape, she's bringing another web-beloved phenomenon: Lady Sovereign.

Yeah, yeah, we know, Stefani is probably just looking for touring partners who compliment her cosmopolitan polyglot hip-pop aesthetic. But we can still fantasize about Gwen kicking back in her L.A.M.B. pajamas and geeking out over what's hot on the Hype Machine, right?

Everybody's favorite ass-smackin', stripper-luvin' Senegalese hook man Akon is also along for the ride. (Cue sound of prison doors closing.)

Here's what Gwen had to say about her tourmates, in a post on her website: "I'm excited to have this opportunity to tour with Akon and Lady Sovereign, two original artists that I have so much respect for. I can't wait to get out there. This show is going to be spectacular!"

Sov better watch out on that June 19 date at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, though. We know a certain pastry in the San Francisco area who is dying to see her again. [MORE...]

Stream: Gwen Stefani: Wind It Up [from The Sweet Escape LP]
Video: Lady Sovereign: Love Me or Hate Me [from the Public Warning LP]

Junior Boys Extend Tour Stateside, Canadaways

MP3: Junior Boys: In the Morning [Infinite Mixtape #27; from the So This Is Goodbye LP]

Toto, Spin Doctors, Marky Mark Sign on for Coachella
Internet to Indie Rock Community: "I cannot tell a lie."

Thanks to reader Russell Mills!

Menomena Announce North American Tour
Something like a Menomena

Riding high on "the first great indie rock record of the new year" (as we put it), Menomena will take their fantastic new album (and Barsuk debut) Friend and Foe on the road this spring.

Following an album release party this Sunday in their hometown of Portland, and a couple of Pacific Northwest shows in February, Menomena will criss-cross North America throughout March and early April, bringing along Field Music and Land of Talk for many of the shows.

For an awesome peek into the Menomena live experience, watch the boys practice the Friend and Foe tracks "Rotten Hell" and "The Pelican" with the "Portland chapter of the Menomena Choir" in a video shot by Menomena man Danny Seim. The choir will be on hand to celebrate at the record release show this Sunday.

[MORE...]

Stream: Menomena: Friend and Foe [full album stream]

Band of Horses Saddle Up for Studio, Enhance Lineup
Joined by ex-members of Archers of Loaf and Modest Mouse

Finished reading Ashford Tucker's excellent Band of Horses interview over in the Features section right now? Good. Now on to the latest from Ben Bridwell and co.

Not ones to horse around (ack!), the band will re-enter the studio this March to record the rather-very-much-anticipated follow-up to last year's rather-very-much-adored debut Sub Pop LP Everything All the Time.

According to a post on the Band's website, they'll shack up in Asheville, North Carolina's Echo Mountain Recording to lay to tape a "brand spanking new BOH album of songs." No word quite yet on what those songs will sound like, but Horses do happily report that San Diego-based photographer Christopher Wilson (whose work adorned Everything) will provide artwork for this release as well.

As previously reported, Band of Horses stampede through the South this March, carting along spirited country-rockers Cary Ann Hearst and the Gun Street Girls. They also join fellow animal acts Modest Mouse, Grizzly Bear, Sparklehorse, Echo & the Bunnymen, and many more at the ATP vs. the Fans festival, going down UK-ways in mid-May.

If you catch one of these gigs, be sure to offer a warm welcome to the latest BOH recruits: Pacific Northwest stalwart Robin Peringer (who has done time with Modest Mouse, Elliott Smith, 764-HERO, and Bridwell's pre-Horses pals Carissa's Wierd) on guitar and Matt Gentling (ex-Archers of Loaf) on bass. [MORE...]

MP3: Band of Horses: The Funeral [from the Everything All the Time LP]

The Books Announce Spring Tour

Nothing says spring like the occasionally tense audio collages of Paul de Jong and Nick Zammuto, aka the Books. Okay, maybe their music isn't the perfect fit for the season, but since their last piece of recorded music was the self-released Music for a French Elevator and with no full-length since 2005's Lost and Safe, we'll settle for the duo's recently announced springtime tour.

Though they have a single show at New York City's Webster Hall in January, the Books' tour begins in earnest in Ottawa, Canada on April 12. Along the way, they'll play an opera house, a couple of arts centers, and even a school of sorts: Chicago's Old Town School of Music, where they'll end the tour on April 28.

As of right now, a new Books record does not appear to be in the works, unfortunately. [MORE...]

Stream: The Books: Smells Like Content [from the Lost and Safe LP]

Jarvis Gets U.S. Release Date, Tours Europe
U.S. releases for fellow Rough Traders Brakes, the Veils, 1990s too

Finally, as previously reported, Jarvis lends his distinctive vocals to "One Hell of a Party" from Air's latest LP, Pocket Symphony, out March 6 on Astralwerks. [MORE...]

Video: Jarvis: Don't Let Him Waste Your Time [from the Jarvis LP]
Video: Jarvis Cocker: EPK

Hella Kick Off Tour, Get Ready for Outer Space
They've got you feeling hella good, so let's just keep on dancing

Sure, Hella's tour doesn't really swing into full force until March, but we don't want to deprive fans in California of the knowledge that the five-deep band of prog-metal noise dudes are playing a couple of pre-tour shows in their home state. Tonight, January 23, they hit Visalia, tomorrow, January 24, they play L.A., and on February 28, they play San Francisco as part of the Noise Pop festival. Then in March, after a stop in Petaluma, their extra-Californian travels begin.

Speaking of launches, Hella's previously reported debut as a five-piece and first record for new label Ipecac-- There's No 666 in Outer Space-- will come out January 30. [MORE...]

MP3: Hella: The Ungrateful Dead [from the forthcoming There's No 666 in Outer Space LP]

LCD Soundsystem to Fans: Send Silver to #1!
It's, like, a movement

In what he assures fans is "not some fucking 'viral marketing' campaign thought up by someone at any label," LCD Soundsystem man-of-gumption James Murphy has announced to fans (via the DFA's message board; special thanks to reader Nichole Benavente for the tip) his intentions to disco-infiltrate the top of the U.S. Billboard charts on March 20.

That's right: Sound of Silver is going for the gold.

Murphy's been batting the idea around the DFA boards since early December, but with each subsequent posting (confirmed by his publicist) he's upped the zeal-- and the stakes. Back then he humbly sought top 40 placement, a couple weeks ago he set his sights on the top 10, and as of this January 18 posting, it's number one or bust for the DFA beat-connectors.

This is no mere pipe dream, mind you, and Murphy has the math to prove it. According to the LCD deacon, the soundtrack to the Beyoncé-boasting, Golden Globe-winning musical Dreamgirls moved 60064 units last week and held on to the number one Billboard spot (never mind that it did so with the lowest #1 sales in SoundScan history). LCD Soundsystem's self-titled debut, meanwhile, has sold an impressive 60559 copies since it hit shops in June 2005. 60559 is a hair more than 60064, so by that logic:

"straight up, if everyone who bought the first record bought s.o.s. the week it's released, then we're totally #1. [MORE...]

Stream: LCD Soundsystem: North American Scum [from the forthcoming Sound of Silver LP]

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)