Mp3s, News and Notes

Eddie Vedder and Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the third annual Hullabaloo Benefit for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which RHCP Flea co-founded in 2001, to raises funds for the SCM and for providing scholarships to low-income students. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 21st and will be available only over the web.

DC is getting ready for its annual Six Points Music Festival. Lots of good stuff on tap for that, including a show on Friday April 20th at the Velvet Lounge featuring Justin Jones, Wes Tucker and the Skillets, The Junior League and Sean McArdle.

I caught a good set from the Astral Lounge last night at the Troc in Philly. I'm really liking their song "Country Deceiver" - and our very own Earvolution alum Jim McCoy is on guitar. Mountain Man was also on the bill. Any time you've got some jazz trumpet backing up a few string pickers you've got an interesting combination. Definitely going to check out both acts again soon.

Mp3 Offerings:
The Walkmen: Lost in Boston
Shitdisco: OK
Joseph Arthur: Diamond Ring
The Muggabears: Goth Tarts
Land of Talk: Speak to Me Bones

Justin at Live Music Blog notes that Umphrey's McGee has added a slew of tour dates to their schedule. He also points to a podcast the band put together that gives some insight into their new record The Bottom Half. Click over to LMB for a preview track too.

The Rapture, who drew a large crowd at SXSW, will team up with label mates Shiny Toy Guns, on a 21 city US tour kicks off in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on April 21, and ends up in Burlington, Vermont on May 23. Look for them on the road, meanwhile, check out some vids: The Rapture "Pieces of the People We Love" and Shiny Toy Guns "You Are The One".