This is very exciting news for me – Scottish band Belle & Sebastian are back after years of silence! According to this Pitchfork article, they’ve been writing new songs and are about to head out to LA to record a new album – their first since 2006′s The Life Pursuit.

They have also announced a bunch of festival dates in Japan and Scandinavia, with talk of a UK tour in the works. Japan = Australia????

Memphis garage punk musician Jay Reatard (born Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr.) was found dead in his bed at 3:30am on Wednesday January 13. He was 29 years old, and a statement has been posted on the Goner Records website saying that he died in his sleep.

Throughout his career, Reatard played solo as well as with The Reatards and Lost Sounds, among other bands. His last record, Watch Me Fall, was released in 2009.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG65eqfg6bc&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Rowland S. Howard, the prolific Australian songwriter and guitarist known for his solo work as well as membership in The Birthday Party, The Young Charlatans, The Boys Next Door and countless other national bands, passed away December 30 at the age of 50 from liver cancer. He had been scheduled to support the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at their Sydney show tonight.

Rowland was a unique and invaluable contributor to the world of Australian music who will be sorely missed by music lovers around the country. His latest album, Pop Crimes, was released last year.