Random Music News for Wednesday, December 10, 2014

It was my sister’s birthday. I forgot. But I did send a present.

1. Big-time (well, formerly big-time) US has been extradited from the US to face $300 in fraud charges.
2. Side One Dummy has launch a subscription-based vinyl club.
3. The new Smashing Pumpkins album got a decent review from Billboard.
4. Should you feel the need to review the year in pop music, go here and here.
5. I’m not entirely sure we need this Iron Maiden tribute album. (Via Tom)
6. Interesting video: the life of a female busker in Germany.
7. Dave Grohl’s Sonic Highways “exit interview.”
8. So what happened in music tech in 2014? Not much, actually. Not nothing got messed up, either.
9. Slipknot’s old (and fired) drummer has topped a new drummers’ poll.
10. You gotta feel bad for the cop who ended up shooting Dimebag Darryl’s killer.
11. Arcade Fire’s Will Butler has announced his solo tour. He’ll play Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern on this swing.
12. Australia’s Album Prize (the equivalent of our Polaris Music Prize) has released its Long List.
13. Jay Z is being sued over a one-syllable sample. ONE SYLLABLE.
14. The Pirate Bay was raided in Sweden and taken offline.  No matter because it’s setting up in Costa Rica.Whack-a-Mole!
15. The Kurt Cobain documentary Montage of Heck will premiere at Sundance.
16. Inside the making of Prince’s Purple Rain.