Around The Internet (Jan. 17-23)

Sure, there was that whole inauguration thing that got people all giddy this week, but let’s not forget that while the country was getting a new leader and Clear Channel was not-so-quietly slashing jobs, other stuff was happening in the music world! Check it out…

Portland-related music news:

• Local metal titans Ocean got some love on Brooklyn Vegan.
• It’s time to submit your nominations for The Phoenix’s “Best 2009” annual poll!
• New Kids On The Block (beware the autoplay NKOTB jams) AND Motley Crue announced tour dates at the Civic Center. Anybody want to hook us up with some list spots and photo passes? Hey, it’s worth a shot!
• Ani DiFranco announced a date at Merrill Auditorium (4/17).
• Clutch announced more tour details, including the addition of the fantastic Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band to their date at the Asylum on 2/26. Just wish the venue had a usable website where I could get the show details.
• After a license setback, the Port City Music Hall had its first show on Thursday, 1/22/09. I’ll have a writeup and photos from that up soon.
• In preparation for the Dead Of Winter show at SPACE Gallery tomorrow, I did a whole bunch of interviews for the venue’s blog, Have Faith In Worthless Knowledge.

Other select music news this week:

• Brooklyn-based band The Secret Life Of Sofia have two great new songs available on their Myspace page. They’re easily in the top 5 of my never-ending list of Brooklyn bands to import here for shows.
• Bon Iver covered Feist.
• Arcade Fire covered the Boss at an Obama Ball.
• John Vanderslice and John Darnielle are touring together, but of course they’re not coming to Portland (or anywhere in Maine, for that matter). Hey guys, see that hole in your calendar on March 26th? Bring it here!
• Spin closes their eyes and picks 8 undiscovered bands to tell you about – one of which is Soundscapes, who I’m actually a big fan of. Check them out.
• Each Note Secure tips us off to musicians you should and shouldn’t follow on Twitter.
• Stereogum reports that the Silver Jews are apparently calling it quits, and David Berman reveals his father to be a bad, bad man
• Dodge at MOKB has started profiling bands that will be playing SXSW this March. Related: a sortable SXSW artist catalog.
• PitchforkTV has the Kraftwerk 2004 tour film, Minimum-Maximum, viewable on their site.

I’m planning to try and make this weekly roundup a somewhat regular thing here. Feel free to send me you music news and tips, as well as concert dates, at hello [at] hillytown.com!

By the way, I added an archive page for blog posts, since apparently I’m blogging now (or something like it).