Call it an alt-country vs. Nashville smackdown. Slate reports that former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell has accused Dierks Bentley of “ripping off” his song. In a spat reminiscent of the Coldplay-Joe Satriani song theft dispute, Isbell says Bentley’s “Home” is too much like his own “In a Razor Town.” He calls Bentley a douchebag, just for good measure. Meanwhile, Van Halen is being accused of ripping off its own old, unreleased material.
Beach House could be close to completing work on their new album according to PedestrianTV. The band has been recording at Electric Lady and the studio posted this note on their Facebook page: “Just wrapped the new Beach House record in Studio A… such a rad record // band.” However, the plot thickens as the message was soon taken down. An update was issued by Gorilla Vs. Bear blogger Chris Cantalini tweeting that Sub Pop, the band’s label, said Electric Lady jumped the gun on that post. Perhaps a new album from the dreamy Baltimore duo this year?
Elton John is writing a book about AIDS. It will include his thoughts looking back at Freddie Mercury and teenage AIDS activist Ryan White. More at The Guardian.
Composer, multi-instrumentalist and Faith No More/Mr. Bungle frontman Mike Patton, is scoring the upcoming film The Place Beyond The Pines, starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta and Eva Mendes, More at Indiewire.
Tour news: Jane’s Addiction is hitting classic-style theaters for an “immersive” stage show in support of its new “Great Escape Artist,” according to Guitar World. Meanwhile, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are about to announce tour dates (and more…perhaps an album?) on Facebook. And Rodrigo y Gabriela have announced dates, along with some cool video content.
In guitar news, Johnny Marr is teaming with Fender for a signature model Jaguar.
