Every month, 33 1/3 editorial assistant Kaitlin Fontana will compile the best, weirdest, most interesting music and sound news from the past 30 days and serve it up to you in one handy, easy to digest list. May we present 33 Things that happened in September?
Drumroll please…
1. On the eve of In Utero’s 20th anniversary, behold an unbelievable letter the record’s producer, Steve Albini, wrote to the band before they started recording.
2. What’s your favorite version of iTunes? Seth Reiss has a few he’d like to share.
3. …And the band played on. Want to be remembered by your loved ones long after you’re gone? Make them a mixtape they won’t forget—have your ashes pressed into a vinyl record. Yes, it’s a thing.
4. RIP Juggalo.
5. Are you a Phish fan? Hey man, pay attention. Dude. For real. You need to see these set list schematics from memorable shows.
6. University of Edinburgh has banned Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” from being played in any of the student union buildings. The decision was taken because, “it promotes an unhealthy attitude towards sex and consent.”
7. Speaking of Robin Thicke, Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour has reportedly cancelled an upcoming cover shoot of Miley Cyrus after deeming that performance distasteful.
8. Music legend Elton John—with his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin—released his 31st studio album, The Diving Board, on September 13th. Critics are calling it “his best in years.”
9. In other new release/legendary artist news, Elvis Costello and the Roots released the album Wise Up Ghost, a collaborative effort largely devised in the band’s Fallon offices after show tapings, on September 17th.
10. From collaborations to clashes: Kanye West let loose on Jimmy Kimmel on Twitter (in CAPS, no less) after the comedian spoofed him in a fake interview. His tirade included the admonition that “SARAH SILVERMAN IS 1000 TIMES FUNNIER THAN YOU.” Says Kimmel: “I’m finally in a rap feud!” The Tweets have since been deleted.
11. Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme may be a towering, roaring rock god, but he also knows how to keep 12-year-old interviewers entertained—by obsessing over Celine Dion? Okay, maybe not. But we understand Celine obsession, Mr. Homme.
12. Friend of 33 1/3 and former bassist for some band you’ve probably heard of, Krist Novoselic, is playing on Modest Mouse’s new record. We can’t wait!
13. Presented without comment: This RS profile of Miley Cyrus.
14. Ziggy Read Some Books…100 books that is. David Bowie thinks you should, too.
15. Okay, so it’s not music news exactly, but now you can look at the libraries of the rich and famous. Keith Richards is one of them, so deal with it.
16. Bruce Springsteen turned 64 on September 23. His jeans turned 25.
17. If you’re in New York, may we suggest Massive Attack’s multimedia collaboration with documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis at the Park Avenue Armory? We may.
18. Arcade Fire played a 22-minute concert after they guested on the season opener of SNL, which included many celeb appearances and was directed by Roman Coppola. You can watch it here.
19. Moby wants you to use his music in your movie, for free. No really.
20. Zach Galifinakis interviewed Justin Bieber for Between Two Ferns, and, well… just watch it. Here’s a screen cap to convince you:
21. The first annual YouTube Music Awards starring Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, and Eminem will stream live on Sunday, November 3, from New York City. Actor/musician Jason Schwartzman is hosting, and music-video legend Spike Jonze is creative director. Also recommended viewing that night: 14 videos of cats playing piano.
22. In other YouTube news: Google’s internet video behemoth removed a video for copyright violation, and they may regret it …the owner is a copyright lawyer, and he’s suing.
23. No spoilers, promise, but last Sunday’s Breaking Bad finale has revived interest in UK punk band Badfinger, whose song “Baby Blue” closed the show. According to Spotify, global streams of “Baby Blue” were up 9000 percent by THE NEXT MORNING.
24. Listen up Riot Grrrls (and Guyyyys): Kathleen Hanna is back.
25. You heard it here first: The soundtrack for the new Coen Bros movie Inside Llewyn Davis might be better than the film. At least, the “tribute concert” was (Joan Baez and Patti Smith under one roof, y’all).
26. Drake was named global ambassador of the Toronto Raptors, because duh.
27. The Weeknd and his music want you to have sex (safely), so here are some condoms.
28. A Physics student used “Bohemian Rhapsody” to explain string theory, and Queen likes it.
29. Canadian mood music makers Godspeed You Black Emperor won this year’s Polaris Music Prize, then immediately disavowed it; a sort-of-controversy ensued.
30. The CBGB festival wants to be New York City’s SXSW, and they have the expanded line up to prove it.
31. Paul McCartney responds to a fan’s taped message…50 years later. History! Happenstance! The Beatles! The world!
32. Bummertown: LA’s famed Sunset Strip is dying. Seriously. It’s not just the plot from the Rock of Ages musical anymore.
33. And finally: this month’s 33 Things is dedicated to recorded music pioneer Ray Dolby, inventor of Dolby sound, who died this month at 80.
See you in October!
