Rise Against have confirmed that their new album will be out in July. No word as to what it will be called or what the release date will be.
Belle and Sebastian have confirmed they are in Atlanta working on their new album. No release has been given, however, the band hopes to have it out by the fall.
Following their return last year after an 11 year hiatus, Canadian rockers Big Wreck will release their new album, Ghost, in July.
Teaming up with Seattle company Koru, Nas has announced scholarships to help students transition from college to the working world. In a statement, Nas said, "I'm inspired to support Koru participants because I know how hard it can be to carve out your path and purpose in life. It takes conviction, hard work and the right network. The young people going through Koru are gritty, book smart and street smart. The Koru program gives them an opportunity to put those smarts to work. I can't wait to work directly with them and share what I've learned through my own life experiences." The New York Times has reported that Nas has donated $100,000 to Koru and established the fund.
Erasure have announced that they will release their 16th album, The Violent Flame, this fall.
Speaking to BB1, Queen's Brian May has confirmed that the iconic British band will release their first album in 20 years and will feature unheard songs and unheard vocals from the late Freddie Mercury, including a song with Michael Jackson. The working title of the record is Queen Forever and it will be out later this year.
Speaking to NME, La Roux's Elly Jackson is opening up for the first time about her split from music partner, Ben Langmaid. She said that their "wasn't a great deal of understanding," between them on making music. She continued, "I came to him with some rare disco references and he made it very clear he didn't like them. There wasn't a great deal of understanding. Sometimes I thought we were on the same level, but then from the production that would come to light, I didn't feel that we were. I wasn't happy with the way some of the demos were sounding." La Roux's latest, Trouble in Paradise, is out this summer.