Here’s some of the latest music news:
- David Byrne, formerly of The Talking Heads, has a new album out the second week of March, but it’s streaming right now at NPR’s first listen. Byrne will be making a stop on the American Utopia tour in Camden to headline the first night of WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival.
- Sam Sodomsky collected what he called “the eight best Springsteen books” over at Pitchfork. Missing from this list is my very favorite, It Ain’t No Sin To Be Glad You’re Alive by Eric Alterman. The author is a life-long fan and a professional journalist, and this book, though dated in terms of Bruce’s career, having been written in 2001, is a fascinating excuse for Alterman to let himself a little loose while still maintaining excellent levels of writing and research.
- Margaret Glaspy released a surprise three-song EP today, her first release since her debut full-length, Emotions and Math. Talking to NPR, she calls Born Yesterday a bookend to her first album.
- Two days ago we got news of Led Zeppelin’s Record Store Day 2018 exclusive release, and then yesterday some David Bowie albums were added to the list. Bowie’s estate has been busy releasing all sorts of compilations and live albums and re-releases since his death two years ago. This year’s additions are a 3xLP set, a live recording from London in 1978 called Welcome to the Blackout; a 45 rpm 12″ single with the original full-length demo for “Let’s Dance”, backed by a live version of the song; and Bowie Now, “a rare 1977 US only promotional-only LP on white vinyl,” featuring tracks from Low and “Heroes”.
- American singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne announced his seventh studio release yesterday, to be titled Part of the Lightthe album can be pre-ordered on his website right now. There was no accompanying single released with the announcement, but . LaMontagne debuted with Trouble in 2004 and his most recent album was 2016’s Ouroboros.
- The Academy of Country Music Awards announced their nominations yesterday morning via host Reba McIntyre and CBS. Chris Stapleton leads the way with eight nominations from his two 2017 releases From A Room Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Some other highlights include Maren Morris for Female Vocalist and four nominations for Miranda Lambert, while lowlights include two nominations for “Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt.
In case you missed @CBSThisMorning, we are beyond thrilled to have @Reba announce the nominees and return as the host of the 53rd #ACMawards! Congratulations to all of the nominees. For a full list, visit: https://t.co/uJt0LxOcLU pic.twitter.com/FfqpMG3rra
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) March 1, 2018