The National To Stream High Violet Starting Friday

Ah, the inevitable album leak: these days it seems there's just no way around it. Case in point, The National's High Violet (cover art above). Apparently the record has leaked in what the band is calling a "low quality" form, and is currently making its way around the interwebs.

While we don't have that crappy version for you, we do have this: To lay it down against the haters, the band has decided to begin streaming the record this Friday in its intended high quality form. Where, you ask? Well, we're guessing you'll be as surprised as we are: The New York Times.

Yes, we're not exactly sure what the deal is either, but we're definitely not complaining. High quality free album streams are the bomb, even if they are hosted at the old gray lady.

High Violet drops on May 11th on 4AD

mp3: The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio

Elsewhere On The Interwebs: Karen O, Malkmus, U2, Arcade Fire

We were doing our morning perusal of the interwebs, and stumbled upon a few choice items we thought might catch your interest. If you're so inclined:

• The New York Times interviews Karen O
• A Stephen Malkmus interview at Pitchfork that slipped by us in February
• Pitchfork.tv interviews U2
• The Arcade Fire documentary Miroir Noir - one week only!

Check those out, we'll see you Monday!

Bono Is Now A New York Times Columnist

Maybe you're sick of hearing what Bono has to say about every topic on the planet, but if you're not, then take heart: the New York Times has just added the U2 frontman as a "contributing columnist".

Thankfully, the column mercifully focuses on a music topic (Frank Sinatra), and has an easy going, casual tone that makes for a fun narrative. While we respect Bono's political efforts, it's really quite a relief to hear him waxing philisophical on the topic that gave him his fame, and enjoying it at the same time.

Check it out now.

Wayne Coyne Lives In a Compound

The New York Times has a nice interview with Wayne Coyne today, in the Home and Garden section no less! It talks a bit about his gradually expanding home "compound" and how he puts it to use for everything from band rehearsals to movie filming. Lips fans may remember the house from 2005's Fearless Freaks documentary, and it seems that since then Coyne has expanded into purchasing the three adjacent homes. Indeed. It's a bit of a puff piece, but it's a fun read, and a great way to start your Thursday morning - enjoy!

Some Interviews You Might Like To Read

Both David Byrne and My Bloody Valentine will be in San Francisco in the coming weeks, so we thought we'd take a minute to pass a couple of interesting interviews your way. Pitchfork has an interview with David Byrne on his latest, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, and the New York Times has a nice sit down with Kevin Shields about the MBV reunion. Enjoy!

David Byrne is at Davies Symphony Hall October 6th and 7th
My Bloody Valentine are at the Concourse Design Center September 30th

Video Of David Byrne's Latest

When we read about David Byrne's latest art experiment a few weeks back in the New York Times, we were seriously thinking we might have to journey to the opposite coast for some first hand experience. Thankfully, P4TV decided to do a feature on the installation, so now we West Coasters can see and hear it for ourselves without the pesky flight time! Stream the video below...

Jeff Tweedy Blogs About Migraines

We debated the merit of mentioning this, given its borderline fan-obessive content. But, being that it's written by the man himself, and that it gives sizeable insight into some of the issues that have driven his songwriting, we figured it's worth checking out. Click here to read Jeff Tweedy's insight to a lifetime of migrains over at the New York Times opinion blog. Suffice it to say, we're glad we aren't suffering from the same.