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Björk is “halfway through” recording her first album since 2007’s Volta and she’s hoping to hit the road for a tour this fall. The Icelandic singer says one of the new songs is inspired by a National Geographic-sponsored conference she attended. “I saw 100 talks and met eccentric people who had been in Africa for four years with lions and insects,” she says in an interview with an Icelandic newspaper (via NME). “Then one night after drinking whiskey with them I began to hear [their] stories.”
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Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has revealed he had a brush with death after undergoing knee surgery last year. “I had an operation and died and survived on the table,” he says. “I had surgery on my leg and there were complications and I died on the table. I was in bed for three months.” Homme has since been cleared by doctors to get back to work, and is currently in the studio working on the next QOTSA record. [NME]
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In a revealing interview with Canadian television, M.I.A. opens up about her tumultuous last year, which included the release of her polarizing album Maya, her violent video “Born Free,” and the controversial profile that was published by The New York Times. Head here to stream the video.
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Ra Ra Riot drummer Gabriel Duquette has quit the group after two-and-a-half years; his last appearance with the band will be for their performance on Jimmy Kimmell Live this week. Duquette, who will be replaced by Kenny Bernard, took over for founding member John Pike, who died in 2007. [Ra Ra Riot’s Official Site]
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Interpol will hit the road for their own 16-date headlining Spring tour before joining U2 for their 360 trek this summer. Interpol’s tour kicks off April 13 in Reno, NV and wraps on May 4 in Raleigh, NC. [Matador Records]
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Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis will team up with indie guitar god Kurt Vile for a 22-date Spring tour, which starts on March 10 in Ithaca, NY and end on May 7 in San Diego, CA. [Pitchfork]
