Pitchfork reports that one of those bands who are all buzzy in the UK will get a chance to try and conquer the Americas this Summer when The Long Blondes’ debut record, Someone To Drive You Home, will be getting a domestic release courtesy of Beggars Banquet on June 5. It’s been out in the UK since last October and I’m pretty sure that import copies can be found in local stores for about the same price as a domestic anyway, but the new version will have four bonus tracks. Score one for the procrastinators.

I’ve sort of liked what I’ve heard from them – not instantly smitten but not repelled either. I’ll likely check out the album eventually and if the “brief North American tour in June” includes Toronto, which I have to think it will, I’ll certainly hit the show. Those of you who have been living with this record since last Fall – for real? Long Blondes singer Kate Jackson answers the equivalent of a MySpace survey for The Independent.

Video: The Long Blondes – “Weekend Without Makeup” (YouTube)
Video: The Long Blondes – “Giddy Stratospheres” (YouTube)
Video: The Long Blondes – “Separated By Motorways” (YouTube)
Video: The Long Blondes – “Once And Never Again” (YouTube)
MySpace: The Long Blondes

But one female-fronted UK band that I was immediately smitten with is Lucky Soul, who have just released their debut full-length The Great Unwanted. I don’t know if I would have discovered this act if not for this gushing PopMatters review, which prompted me to hit up their MySpace while getting ready for work the other morning. I’m not sure if the ensuing sugar buzz was really healthy or not, nor do I know if this is just infatuation or the start of something genuine, but for now it’s giving me quite a buzz. I can’t find anywhere remotely affordable to get the CD yet but eMusic has four of their singles available, and with the b-sides that’s almost album length. It’ll do for now, but expect a proper post when I do get my hands on the album and if it lives up to expectations.

Video: Lucky Soul – “Lips Are Unhappy” (YouTube)
Video: Lucky Soul – “Add Your Light To Mine, Baby” (YouTube)
MySpace: Lucky Soul

PopMatters also offers up this interview with Jarvis Cocker, who just happens to share a hometown (Sheffield) with the Long Blondes above and whose old band (Pulp, of course) the Blondes are sometimes compared to (and who Cocker “can’t listen to more than about three songs”). I think Jarvis is just jealous that Kate Jackson has much better legs than he. Sorry Jarv, it’s true.

NME reports on some of the artists taking part in an upcoming Pixies tribute album, including Mogwai (tackling “Gouge Away”), J Mascis and British Sea Power. Dig For Fire: A Pixies Tribute will be out… sometime.

TBO.com gets literary with Colin Meloy of The Decemberists. Word is there will be a new EP from the Decemberists on July 17 – specifics unavailable at the moment.

John Roderick of The Long Winters talks to The Salt Lake Tribune and The Riverfront Times (a piece which comes with outtakes). What can you say, Roderick gives good interview.

Chart talks to Calla’s Aurelio Valle. They’re at the Horseshoe tonight.

And if you didn’t note in yesterday’s comments, Wilco tickets go on sale today at MusicToday and Friday at noon at Massey Hall and Ticketmaster. Due to a computer error yesterday, Massey Hall actually began selling tickets starting from the eighth row, so it’s probably safe to assume that the presale allotment will be eight rows deep.

Also sure to be a hot ticket, the Voxtrot show at Sneaky Dee’s on June 8 – tickets are available online at Ticketweb right now and likely at Rotate and Soundscapes very soon.

Noteworthy – the May 9 Silversun Pickups show is now 100% less intimate, having been moved from Lee’s Palace to The Phoenix. And Brakes Brakes Brakes, aka Brakes, are at Lee’s Palace on June 12. Tickets $10.50. Did The Beatific Visions ever get released over here?