New York (and outlying regions’) chamber pop combo Matt Pond PA will release their new album Several Arrows Later on October 11 with supporting tour dates to be announced shortly. The band also reports progress in finding a replacement for cellist/vocalist Eve Miller, who departed the band earlier this Summer. She presumably still appears on the new album, as does appear in the video for “Closest (Look Out)”, the link to which comes courtesy of Prefix.

While rather quiet in the press since their cover of “Champagne Supernova” soundtracked a key scene in The O.C., there has been some press about how that’s affected the band’s fortunes, the recent covers-heavy Winter Songs EP and what to expect from the new record. Pond talked to Ink 19 and 30music (what’s with the numerically-inclined webzines?) while guitarist Brian Pearl took a few minutes with Wheel Kick.

In a bit of an odd pairing but pleasant surprise, the Fruit Bats will be opening for Son Volt on the leg of their Fall tour that includes the October 17 show at the Opera House in Toronto. I have my ticket and am looking forward to seeing Jay Farrar for the first time ever, but still feel a pang of regret that it means missing out on the Mountain Goats show at Lee’s the same night. And speaking of the Goats, thanks to Zoilus for this link to their first-ever music video, a clip for “This Year”, off The Sunset Tree.

JAM! and Billboard have reports from Neil Young’s two-night stand at the Ryman in Nashville last week, which was being recorded by Jonathan Demme for a forthcoming concert documentary and which featured songs from Neil’s new album Prairie Wind, which is due out on September 27. Young recently renewed his contract with Reprise Records, a move which should finally see the release of his Archives, which have been on a burner of some sort for decades now.

The latest issue of Filter Mini is now available to download and peruse. The cover artist this time around is Rilo Kiley.

Sixeyes solicits some recommended listening from John Vanderslice, guaranteed to give you fresher breath and a glossier, shinier coat. His new one, Pixel Revolt, which I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you listening to as well, is out Tuesday.

Incendiary interviews Decemberists. Via Largehearted Boy.

Some rather fruitful record-shopping this past weekend – scored a few House of Love and Billy Bragg 7″s, a neat Dinosaur Jr 10″ EP for “Feel The Pain”, a Luna 12″ single and a near-mint copy of The Chameleons’ What Does Anything Mean? Basically. Mmm, vinyl.

np – Mogwai / Government Commissions: BBC Sessions 1996-2003