1. Don Van Vliet, more popularly known as the iconic experimental rocker Captain Beefheart, passed away on December 17 due to complication from multiple sclerosis. The Michael Warner Gallery that represented his work as a painter officially announced his death, and in a statement said, “Don Van Vliet was a complex and influential figure in the visual and performing arts.” He was 69 years old. (via Rolling Stone)
2. Singer-guitarist of Sonic Youth, Thurston Moore, has announced plans to work on a solo album. The album, which will be produced by Beck, is titled “Benediction” and will be released on Matador Records. (via Philadelphia Weekly)
3. Das Racist was recently detained and deported from the United Kingdom after being stopped at customs. The group has claimed that they were detained for over eight hours after problems with paperwork. Following their wait, they were sent back to Switzerland. (via DasRacist.net)
4. After completing a song for an upcoming movie, in an interview with Pitchfork, The National’s Aaron Dessner has mentioned a collaboration between the band and singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten. The band is currently working with her in the early stages of an upcoming record that is in its earliest of stages. (via Pitchfork)
5. Peter Bjorn and John have announced their next record. The follow-up to 2009’s “Living Things” is titled “Gimme Some” and will be released March 29. (via Pitchfork)