My new desktop wallpaper. Courtesy of my brother.

Time is at a premium this weekend, full of Over The Top-ing and whatnot, so I’m just clearing out a pile of random links and will likely be mostly absent from posting (though I do have a couple contests to get out there). I hope to have my Ted Leo review for Wednesday night’s show up for Monday but in the meantime, check out eye‘s review of the show – pretty spot on.

The Riverfront Times talks to the whole of Son Volt – not just Jay! – about the dynamic of being in Son Volt. They also offer outtakes from the interview and have dug up some old old video from an Uncle Tupelo appearance on some anonymous cable access TV show. I’m sure this made the rounds a little while back, it looks way familiar, but it’s worth revisiting if just to see Jeff and Jay still with the baby fat on them. Also check out this video at Amazon.com of Wilco playing “Seeds” in their loft in Chicago. I assume that’s taken from the DVD portion of the Sky Blue Sky deluxe edition, out May 15. Nels Cline talks to NME about the vibe of the album while Stereogum excerpts an interview with Jeff Tweedy from Spin about festivals and the odds of an Uncle Tupelo reunion. Oh, and those freaky vinyl Wilco figures are now available to pre-order.

The Paramus Post talks to The Shins’ James Mercer.

NME reports that the Blur reunion may actually be happening, though Pitchfork has one of Graham Coxon’s people being non-commital to the topic (though not denying it either). Of course, it’s also worth noting that the news comes from the only member of Blur who’s not busy with solo projects or running (and losing) for public office so he would be keen on a reunion.

PopMatters talks to the boys of Field Music, who have announced they’re going on hiatus. Sometime.

Inside Bay Area has words with the otherwise wordless Explosions In The Sky.

NOW and eye talk to the boys of Peter Bjorn & John, playing a sold-out show at the Phoenix this Sunday night.

MTV and Dose converse with Feist.

Metric gives NME a progress report on their new record. Their old record, Grow Up And Blow Away, is still supposed to be coming out this Summer and they’re playing both V Fests – Vancouver later this month and Toronto in September. Emily Haines is also playing a solo show at Harbourfront Centre on July 25, as part of the release of a new book and EP, What Is Free To A Good Home?. Details on that here.

Paper has an interview with Cat Power and a terrific quote from Chinese film director Wong Kar-Wai – “If Charles Bukowski and Jane Birkin had a child, it would be Cat Power”. I like that. Cat Power is at the Phoenix on July 10.

The Arizona Daily Star interviews Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood.

Express speaks (very) briefly to The National’s Matt Berninger about the tone of their new album Boxer, out May 22. They’re at the Opera House on June 5.

Also out that day is the debut full-length from Voxtrot. They’re featured in this week’s Spinner 3×3 and are at Sneaky Dee’s on June 8. If that show’s not completely sold out yet, it will be very very soon so if you were planning on going, get a ticket. No dawdling.

Some show announcements – London’s The Horrors, who were supposed to be opening for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on their Summer tour but now aren’t, have their own show at the Mod Club on June 11 (tickets $16.50), K Records’ Mirah is at Lee’s Palace July 13 (tickets $13.50), Jenn Grant, presumably hanging around town after NxNE, has a show at the Horseshoe on June 15 and In-Flight Safety and The Besnard Lakes are at the Horseshoe on June 22. I know some people who will hurt me if I don’t (finally) get around to seeing the Besnard Lakes live, so I’m a-gonna be there. Tickets for that are $10. The Lakes put together a guest list for Pitchfork.

Update: Site back up! Well THAT was excruciating. Fingers crossed it’s resolved now.