Flurry of concert announcements yesterday – I myself am most/only exited about Maximo Park’s gig at the Mod Club on July 14 in support of their new album Our Earthly Pleasures. Maximo’s Paul Smith tells GigWise the new album is better than the first one, but of course he’d say that, wouldn’t he? We’ll found out when it’s released on April 3 in the UK and May 8 in North America. I think they played here a number of times in 2005 in support of A Certain Trigger but I was not, as the kids say, in the know at that time. But now I am hip to their jive. Billboard has full North American tour dates.

We’re also having something of an invasion of French electronic duos this Summer. Think about that. Being invaded by the French. Air bring their Pocket Symphony to the Kool Haus on May 5 while Daft Punk roll into Arrow Hall three months later on August 5 with The Rapture in tow. Pitchfork has full dates for both Air and Daft Punk.

If you like your indie-dance hybrids a little more pointy, !!! (Chk Chk Chk) are at Lee’s Palace on May 19 for the final date of their North American tour.

And finally, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club celebrate the release of their new album Baby 81 with a gig at the Kool Haus on May 26, full dates at Pollstar.

And some other stuff to clear out before things get SxSW wacky for the next week…

Glorious Noise has an interview with producer Larry Crane, who’s overseeing the release of New Moon on May 8, a double-disc collection of Elliott Smith rarities.

USA Today talks to Michael Stipe on the occasion of REM’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame on Monday. You can watch the induction ceremonies live online at Spinner.com, if you’re so inclined – they also have a Q&A with ol’ Stipey. And Billboard reports that the band is set to enter the studio to recored their 14th album with the guy who produced U2’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb and Snow Patrol’s Final Straw, but also Bloc Party’s latest. Interesting…?

Billboard has details on The Shepherd’s Dog, the new album from Iron & Wine due out in September.

Jay Farrar chats briefly with Harp about Son Volt’s new one The Search. They’re at the Mod Club on April 12.

Jeff Tweedy tells Billboard he’s not concerned about Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky having leaked to the internet months before its official May 15 release date thanks to last weekend’s full-album preview… and to prove it, they’re streaming the whole thing again tomorrow from 10AM to 10PM EST.

The Broward-Palm Beach New Times talks to The Hold Steady’s Franz Nicolay while The New York Times goes out for a night on the town with the band.

Harp and CMJ sing the praises of Daytrotter. Daytrotter blushes.

I didn’t get to bed till almost 4 last night. I need a coffee. Talk amongst yourselves.