Maria Mena: "Mitt Lille Land"

Maria Mena released her version of "Mitt Lille Land", a nod to the devastating terror attack in Norway. She had this to say: "i'm devestated! i love my country and my heart breaks for everyone involved and affected by last night's tragic bombing and shooting in oslo and at utøya. please take good care of eachother! ♥ maria." [link]

Above is a video tribute with the song.

Our thoughts are with our Norwegian friends during this difficult time.

Stream:
Maria Mena - Mitt Lille Land

Daily Randomness

A look at what's happening right now:



Dark Days/Light Years is the latest album from Welsh band Super Furry Animals. You can purchase it digitally via Superfurry.com, or hold out till April 13 for the physical release.

Download:
Super Furry Animals - Inaugural Trams

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Kasabian is giving away its new single "Vlad The Impaler". This free offer only lasts till midnight (GMT), April 3. Download it fast if you haven't.

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Nowhere to go this weekend? Head down to Zouk on Saturday for the New Young Pony Club DJ set by Tahita Bulmer & Andy Spence. Zouk admission on April 4 for non-members (inclusive of 2 drinks) is $18 before 10pm and $25/$30 after.

Download:
New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream [buy Fantastic Playroom]

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Rachael Yamagata recently gave an interview to The Power of Pop.

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Swedish hip-hop/IDM duo Prime Ape Got The Blues originally wrote a song called "Soul of a Man" for a mixtape in Sweden. However the mixtape failed to materialise, so they've decided to release the MP3 for free. Get it here.

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R.I.P: Music magazine Blender closes after more than a decade in the business. It will move its music publication online.

Celebrity Engagement: Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams

So Mandy Moore ditched DJ AM in favour of musician Ryan Adams -- and the couple are getting hitched. Mandy's publicist has confirmed her engagement to her on-again, off-again beau, but is keeping mum over the details of the proposal and nuptials. Hmm. So the boyfriend decided he could live with the paparazzi after all.

On the musical front, Mandy will be releasing her LP Amanda Leigh on May 26. She has teamed up with Gain to offer an exclusive new song, "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week", for download (or you can get it below). It's a radio-friendly pop song which I suppose should be the first single off the upcoming album.

Ryan has his own Valentine's Day EP, Extra Cheese. It makes me hungry just looking at it. Available exclusively via iTunes.

Extra Cheese Tracklist
1. Two
2. Blossom
3. Answering Bell
4. Evergreen
5. My Love for You Is Real
6. Desire
7. Hey There, Mrs. Lovely (previously unreleased)

Download:
Mandy Moore - I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week
Ryan Adams - Two (Live at Metropolis on 2009-01-25) [link]

In The News: Teen Dad Alfie Patten

It's a crazy world we're living in.

In England, a boy named Alfie Patten has become a father, and the mother of his child is his 15 year old girlfriend, Chantelle Steadman. And guess what? He's only 13. Their baby girl, Maisie, was apparently conceived after one night of unprotected sex.

So I guess Alfie has been weaned on porn since he was, what, a baby?

Honestly, it's heartbreaking because he wants to be a good dad but has no idea what he'll have to do financially to support his new family. Check out the video where he asks the interviewer innocently, "What's financially?". Anyway, both of their families seem pretty screwed up: Alfie's parents are separated, while Chantelle's family lives on benefits. It's sad because we don't know where it would go from here.

Download:
Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love [buy Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2]

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, dear readers. I hope you had a great time celebrating with your loved ones.


Speaking of loved ones, did you know that singer-actress Zooey Deschanel is in a relationship with Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard? According to People Magazine, they recently got engaged before the holidays. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Download:
Death Cab for Cutie - The New Year [buy Transatlanticism]