Faber & Faber

great new video from the DBTs. As with the Band of Horses record, i wasn't sure about The Big To Do for a while, but resistance is futile i've realised, it's a great rock record. And they'll be here in London in November. There is, as ever, lots of cool stuff on their website, particularly the webisodes.

Here's to Taking it Easy by Phosphorescent, more on which to come...and Infinite Arms by Band of Horses just as the Black Keys album was, much of the latter of these two was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio. It's got a mixed reception so far and, to be fair, i thought it sounded a bit bland on first listen, but it's been growing on me steadily. It might not reach the heights of Everything all the Time, but ...

It was pay day recently so I took myself down to a record shop a couple of days ago. There were two albums being released that I was after and there was a third that I’d resolved not to buy. The third was Brothers by The Black Keys. I’d decided not to buy it as I thought I had enough Black Keys records in my collection already, and to save some money. While looking for the other two though, I ...

well, with those royalties drying up, i'm thinking of getting back in saddle... so, coming soon, check here for random musical thoughts and musings... (and thanks to a few people who've been in touch in the interim to say they actually read this blog and wouldn't mind a return)

It's been an emotional 18 months, but, with royalties rolling in from both sides of the Atlantic, i'm thinking it might be time to kick back, get fat, and retire this Hang the DJ blog (althoug you may find me occassionally writing things here, The Thought Fox)But, for here and now, i thought i'd sign off with some stuff to celebrate. Here's my 'Ten reasons not to be down' list...1. The new Josh Rouse album, El Turista. 2. Nurse Jackieroll ...

Great event at the Roundhouse in Camden last night, Willy read from his just published third novel and played four songs (including 'Laramie, Wyoming' - the song in which Charley the protagonist of Lean on Pete first appeared - and 'The Water Wars') and then chatted with the extremely gracious and generous Mark Billingham. A great night, a full room and he sold and signed all the copies of the book there, nice work!You can buy Lean on Pete here, ...

great gig on saturday night, he prefaced this gorgeous song (maybe the standout one on his new album Truelove's Gutter) with the following:'I wrote this for my wife in the hope that I’d get a shag off her . . . I sat down and played it to her, and it was the most beautiful version I’ve ever played.' [Asked by one member of the audience what happened next:] 'She said, ‘What’s for tea?’.'

Here are those dates, come along...Feb 9 - Willy solo music and reading @ Roundhouse-London Feb 10 - Willy solo music and reading @ Cardiff Arts Institute-Cardiff, Wales Feb 11 - Willy solo music and reading @ The Victoria-Birmingham Feb 12 - Willy solo music and reading @ Captains Rest-Glasgow And all of this prefigures the return of Richmond Fontaine, for a full UK and European tour, which will include some special book promotional duties in Ireland. Full details at ...

here's a great promo video for Willy Vlautin's brilliant third novel, out early Feb. Willy will be here in the UK for a short promotional reading/acoustic tour on publication, ahead of the full band's tour in March. Details of all that to follow next week.

Three albums to watch out for: Laura Veirs' July Flame, sees her return to the excellent Bella Union label and features the helping hands and voice of Jim James no less. Out at the end of this month it's already got some fantastic reviews.February 22nd sees the return of Josh Rouse, with El Turista. His last album was, 'Sweetie' aside, a bit of a disappointment i thought, but i spent the weekend listening again to Home and Under Cold Blue ...