Photo by Jo Marie Riedl
- 24-year-old drummer Ben Hills, of Seattle band The Shy Ones, passed away early yesterday morning from a fire on Capitol Hill. RIP, Benny. You will be missed.
- On a more uplifting note, legendary guitarist, songwriter and producer Steve Cropper, best known for his work with Stax Records, Booker T. & The MGs, and the Blues Brothers, will be presented with the EMP Founder’s Award this evening at 8pm in Sky Church. The third annual Founders Award Celebration tonight will also feature local musicians Mike Musberger, Jeff Fielder, Andrew McKeag, Ty Bailey, Craig Flory and Skerik performing selections from Cropper’s songbook and other classic soul hits.
- Remember that Flaming Lips video they were shooting in Portland? With naked people on bicycles? Well, it’s done and totally not safe for work. But totally seeing-penises-and-boobies safe. Um, Wayne Coyne also appears naked... convinced yet?
- Sesame Street is celebrating their 40th year. Rolling Stone, in their otherwise worthless blog, posted the 40 best musical performances on the show. Some of them are truly brilliant: Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, and plenty more.
My Morning Jacket on American Dad!
- My Morning Jacket will be appearing on American Dad next Sunday, November 22, in an episode titled “My Morning Straitjacket.” Huh. In related news, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James is appearing on Portland indie singer-songwriter Laura Veirs’ seventh album, July Flame, on her own Raven Marching Band Records January 12th.
- The Low Anthem just put out a new rad stop-motion video for their song “Charlie Darwin.” Below!
- The Magnetic Fields are putting out a new album January 26 on Nonesuch. It’ll be called Realism and will have 13 new tracks.