After much patient waiting, I was more than a bit overjoyed to find this MySpace blog post from Emmy The Great declaring that her debut full-length album was now in the final mixing stages and would be ready for release in September with the deceptively sweet title of First Love – deceptive because love isn’t as popular a lyrical theme for Ms Moss as the pointy bits of the wreckage that tends to follow.

Comparing the tentative track list with my own Emmy compilation that I’ve assembled from singles, compilation tracks and live recordings, I’m quite pleased to see that there’s only going to be three songs on the record that I’ve already heard. I’ve no idea how produced the record is going to be, but I kind of like the idea that some of those great older songs like “Canopies & Grapes” and “Two Steps Forward” (which I’ve attached a live version of below) will only live on in their simpler, scratchier forms as signposts of where the artist was at the time rather than held onto and buffed to a sheen.

Obviously when the non-album track Emmy has promised to post is available for download I’ll be relaying that on to you all, but in the meantime I recommend satiating your Emmy adorable-ness need with subscriptions to her mobile blog and MySpace blog. Hilariousness dost ensue.

MP3: Emmy The Great – “Two Steps Forward” (live)

Kate Nash gives XFM a notion of what to expect from her second album, namely more punk and Motown influences.

Duffy will follow up her show at the Mod Club in March at a venue more in proportion to her current successes – she’s at The Phoenix on August 2, tickets $27.50.

Pitchfork has full details on Okkervil River’s forthcoming The Stand Ins, which rather than an EP-length appendix such as Black Sheep Boy received, will be an album-length companion to The Stage Names. And, of course, the band will be hitting the road to promote the record bringing them back to town for the fourth local show in just over a year when they play the Phoenix on October 12.

The Harbourfront Centre free concert sched is a little clearer now – main points of interest are that Ohbijou will play a matinee set on June 28 at 3:30PM, the Canada Day evening bill will feature on the mainstage Basia Bulat at 8PM and Martha Wainwright at 9:30PM while Plants & Animals are in the Brigantine Room at 6PM. And the following weekend for Beats, Breaks & Culture will have Ladytron and Poni Hoax on the main stage on Friday night and Crystal Castles and Thunderheist for the Saturday night. Woodhands and Tortured Soul will be on the Saturday afternoon bill. Full details at NOW.

Spinner Interfaces with Bob Mould.

The Boston Globe looks back at the ’80s with M83’s Anthony Gonzalez.

The Wall Street Journal discusses @#%&! Smilers, out tomorrow, with Aimee Mann.

Music Snobbery interviews Jaymay, who has been added to the list of performers for Hillside in Guelph the weekend of July 25 through 27, which I hope doesn’t preclude the possibility of a Toronto show.

Amanda Palmer, frontwoman for the Dresden Dolls, will be coming to town August 9 as a solo act for a show at the teeny-tiny Rivoli. The sound you hear are her fans camping out in front of the club right now. Tickets will be $20.

Jenny Lewis collaborators The Watson Twins will release their debut full-length Fire Songs on June 14 and be at Lee’s Palace on July 15th. Tickets are $10 and support will come from Tim Fite.

MP3: Tim Fite – “No Good Here”
MP3: Tim Fite – “Big Mistake”

Wired talks to Film School about being tapped to open up for Swervederiver’s reunion tour. They’re not on the bill next Friday night in Toronto but will be here on their own for a show at Sneaky Dee’s on July 22.

Chart talks to Death Cab For Cutie, headlining the Olympic Island fest this Saturday.

Exclaim! discuses Evil Urges with My Morning Jacket-eer Jim James. It’s out June 10, they’re at the Kool Haus June 16.

And if anyone’s interested, the last of my photos from London are now up on Flickr.