This will likely be my last non-festival related post for a while – at least a couple weeks – so I’m just going to clear out everything I’ve got in the hopper.

They may be skipping Toronto on their upcoming tour, but there’s still plenty of reason for DeVotchKa fans to get excited – namely the release of their first full-length album of new material in four years, A Mad And Faithful Telling, on March 18. Reuters talks a bit to frontman Nick Urata about their distinctive sound and Pitchfork is offering an MP3 from the record. There’s also an electronic press kit to watch if you’re so inclined.

MP3: DeVotchKa – “Along The Way”
EPK: DeVotchKa / A Mad And Faithful Telling

Staying in the southeast US, Chart brings details of Provisions, the new record from Giant Sand due in May and featuring a slew of familiar guest stars including Neko Case, M Ward and Isobel Campbell, amongst others.

Jeff Tweedy blogs about the joys of migraines for The New York Times.

Colin Meloy’s talks to Chart about the joys of doing the solo thinkg for a change. Check out a track from his forthcoming Colin Meloy Sings Live!, out April 8. Colin Meloy will sing live at the Phoenix on April 19.

MP3: Colin Meloy – “We Both Go Down Together”

Steve Earle talks to bot The Chicago Sun-Times and Vue Weekly.

Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields proves to Harp that his reputation as a difficult interview is well-earned.

Houstonist has an interview with Nicole Atkins, who opens up The Hot Freaks shows at SxSW next Thursday at noon at the Mohawk.

Bob Mould discusses rediscovering the guitar with Cleveland Scene. Mould is at the Mod Club on Monday night and congratulations to Thomas and Chris for winning my Mould-y contest.

American Music Club’s Mark Eitzel tells Harp about the record that changed his life – Nick Drake’s Pink Moon. AMC are at Lee’s Palace on April 17.

Spin talks to The Gutter Twins. They’re at the Mod Club on March 14.

Stereogum has the premiere of the new video from Dean & Britta, featuring dapper Dean and Britta on a bike. Dean Wareham’s memoirs, Black Postcards: A Rock & Roll Romance, is out next week.

Video: Dean & Britta – “You Turned My Head Around”

Josh Ritter reveals his secret Canadian celebrity crush to The Globe & Mail

Drowned In Sound talks to Nina Persson of The Cardigans about their new best-of compilation, The Best Of The Cardigans.

Sigur Ros is screening their full-length documentary Heima on YouTube today. Or, if you’re inclined to see it on the big screen, it’s showing at the Cumberland in Toronto next Thursday (March 13) at 8:15 – advance tickets here.

Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood talks to The Toronto Sun

Ray Davies tells The Globe & Mail that getting shot revived his creative juices. He’s playing the Danforth Music Hall April 3.

The Breeders are offering an advance taste of their new record Mountain Battles, out April 8. They’re playing the Phoenix tomorrow night and eye has an interview.

MP3: The Breeders – “Bang On”

Everyone’s been all abuzz about the vague reunion rumours involving Pavement but Take-Away Shows have something a little more tangible – namely performances from Stephen Malkmus including a swing at a bunch of R.E.M. covers. Glide and Spin also have in-depth interviews.

One reunion that has been confirmed but quiet since said confirmation is that of Swervedriver, but there’s finally some stirrings – BrooklynVegan has a couple NYC dates confirmed for June 11 abd 12 and in the comments, a Los Angeles show on May 31. The official forum also confirms a Toronto date is being finalized, probably around early/mid-June.

The Riverfront Times talks to A Place To Bury Strangers.

The final episode of The Wire – ever – airs this Sunday. Harp talks to writer and producer George Pelecanos about the series as well as the role of music within the show. Pelecanos and other Wire writers have also contributed a piece to Time about the folly of America’s war on drugs.

The AV Club offers a primer to the works of Alan Moore.