News The Week That Was: Jack White, Lana Del Rey, M.I.A. & More

Everyone will have noticed a supreme weight off of their shoulders this week. Something we’ve all been collectively lugging around for a number of months, allowing it to build and gain pace, but that has finally come to an end in one way or another. That’s right, we’re talking the buzz of LDR (Lana Del Rey - not the terrifying, driver-less London train line). ‘Born To Die’, the contoversial singer’s debut album, in case you SOMEHOW didn’t know, was released this week and depending on who you believe, it’s the best thing ever/an utter piece of sh*t/somewhere inbetween. You can decide which of those camps you fancy sleeping in with this semi-full-stream here - but, man, it feels good that that’s finally over with.

Anyway, onwards on upwards - Jack White is back. Jack White is back, just in case you didn’t believe us the first time round. And not only with a brand new track in ‘Love Interruption’, but also with news of his debut solo album, ‘Blunderbuss’. On top of that, Daniel Johnston is coming to the UK. He’s only got the one date confirmed right now - at an almighty church in Brighton this April - but, hey, something’s better than nothing, as one former buzz band once sang.

Conor Oberst this week reverted to the state of a randy 15/m/uk with a cam2cam performance of ‘One Of My Kind’, ahead of the release of documentary ‘Out On Team Love’.Talking of documentaries, it seems that some bright spark had the idea of inflating Doherty’s ego some more with a Libertines reunion documentary premiering this coming March.

Anyone reading that last paragraph and finding a smile emerge on their face will likely be pleased to hear that Tribes are heading out on a UK tour throughout April and May. Those who still find the corners of their mouth pointing towards the sky will enjoy hearing that Sharks will support them on the dates.

Moving away from the leather jacket world of laddy indie rock before we start smashing things, M.I.A got herself some column inches this week with new track ‘Bad Girls’. Even further away from laddy indie rock, Bon Iver continued his new year’s resolution to collaborate with any musician who beats him at rock-paper-scissors, this time lining up some studio time with Alicia Keys.

The Maccabees unveiled the video for ‘Feel To Follow’ earlier in the week, while Sinead O’Connor gave DIY the premiere of her new video for ‘The Wolf Is Getting Married’. Other visual treats came from Trailer Trash Tracys, A Place To Bury Strangers, Fixers, Foo Fighters and far too many more to list here. New sounds came from Wild Nothing, The Twilight Sad, Sun Glitters, Deerhunter, and, again, far too many more to bother listing.

As well as being a busy week for all these bands, it’s also been a busy one in the DIY offices. We’ve confirmed three new shows - one a free gig with Tom Williams and the Boat at Old Blue Last, another at Old Blue Last with DZ Deathrays, Bos Angeles, and Crushed Beaks, and an intimate acoustic show at a secret location with Kevin Devine. Excuse the shameless self-promotion, will you?

Oh, and also it came to light this week that two of the directors of End Of The Road festival are scientologists. We would make some witty joke about aliens but frankly we’re not that brave.