The Rye Rye/M.I.A. connections run deep: the pair toured relentlessly on the back of Kala, Rye teamed up with Afrikan Boy on the Paper Planes (Homeland Security Remixes) EP, now the 18 year-old is releasing her debut LP on Mama Arulpragasam's nascent N.E.E.T. label. M.I.A. doesn't do much more than "Bang" repeatedly on this Blaqstarr-produced tr...

Some gut reactions based on the first round of bands named for this year's SXSW Music Festival, which will take place in Austin March 18-22:1) Only two "crystal" bands...so far (Crystal Method and Crystal Stilts).2) Most Stereotype-Edifying Japanese Band Name: Tokyo's Futumomo Satisfaction.3) Straight-Up Worst Band Name: Toronto's Candy Coated K...

It's been over a year since we first reported that David Byrne, Tom Waits, M.I.A., and members of the Wu-Tang Clan and Yeah Yeah Yeahs would appear on the debut album from N.A.S.A. (North America/South America), along with a heap of other notable guests. Corralling all those folks onto one record was no easy task, but the duo is finally ready to...