During an interview with MTV, Death Cab for Cutie bassist Nick Harmer announced the band will be releasing an EP of odds and ends left over from the Narrow Stairs sessions. The tentative title for the disk: The Open Door EP. The album is said to include an alternate version of "Talking Bird," originally written on Ukulele by Mr. Gibbard. Here's what Harmer had to say about it:

"When we finished Narrow Stairs, there were four extra songs that, because we were trying to put together an album, we ended up not including them. It's not like they're castoffs or anything; they're part of the Narrow Stairs experience. They needed to have a proper home, and the EP is it ... It'll be out this year, I think."

Last night, Lykke Li performed on Carson Daily. Now that Jimmy Fallon's taken a frontseat I'm thinking Daily is trying to earn some street cred. He'll always be a TRL VJ/Tara Reid dating 15-minute of fame celeb to me. Regardless, check out videos of 'Little Bit' and 'I'm Good, I'm Gone'.

Ray LaMontagne brought down the house last night with shiver inducing renditions of 'You Are the Best Thing' and 'Trouble' on Saturday Night Live, last night. I haven't really kept tabs on LaMontagne since his Trouble album, so I was blown away when I caught this Motown-inspired number. It's as if Otis Redding's been reincarnated into Cat Steven's body. I'd love to see this guy ditch the guitar and front a soul band. -Hips

(open video of 'You are the Best Thing' Live on SNL)

The title pretty much speaks for itself. The lovely St. Vincent is putting out a new album, Actor, May 4th. Here's a sneak peak at her latest efforts. 

St. Vincent - "The Strangers"

The 80's rockers Depeche Mode are hitting the road this summer, enlistening the sunny tunes of Peter Bjorn & John. Maybe a bit of an odd pick, but it'll give the indie one hit wonder some more new exposure, which'll be great for their up-coming release, Living Thing which comes out the end of this month.

Here's when they'll be playing together:
07-28 Washington, DC - Nissan Pavilion
07-31 Boston, MA - Comcast (Great Woods)
08-01 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
08-03 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
08-10 Seattle, WA - Key Arena
08-12 San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
08-14 San Diego, CA - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
08-16 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
08-17 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
08-20 Santa Barbara, CA - County Bowl
08-22 Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater
08-23 Phoenix, AZ - U.S. Airways Center
08-25 Salt Lake City, UT - E Center
08-27 Denver, CO - Red Rocks
08-29 Dallas, TX - Superpages
08-30 Houston, TX - Woodlands Pavilion
09-01 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheater
09-04 Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheater
09-05 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - BankAtlantic Center

Britney Spears has been known to grab attention from time to time, whether it be her first Rolling Stone cover, her faux-nude outfit at the VMA's, or her panty-less masquerades. Her latest Circus tour is no exception. A 2-minute video preview of the tour reveals, flashy choreography, a variety of costumes, and...nipple tassels? Whatever puts food on your plate, I guess. Watch the questionably NSFW video here

keep running into article after article about this girl, and it's gotten to the point that I can no longer ignore her. Janelle Monae's style is striking, original, and her goals are admirable: "If I could make a wish come true, it would be to redefine the stereotype of young African American females, the type of music we write, how we wear our hear and dress." Monae's already got a Grammy nomination under her belt, as well as Christmas-oriented Gap commercial, not to mention an EP released on Diddy's Bad Boy label, and a mentor by the name of Big Boi. Visit her Myspace for a listen!

Maybe not everyone was as hyped to see Jimmy Fallon debut his new 'Late Night' show as I was, but it was exciting none the less. Why? For one, his career needs a booster, and for two, my secret dream is to become a late night talk show host. Well, it's not so secret anymore. Jimmy was awkwardly, but somehow charmingly nervous and bumbley, with Robert Deniro and Justin Timberlake as guests, and the legendary Van Morrison (who was fairly incomprehensible, even for him) as the music guest. To my surprise, it appears the Roots will be Mr. Fallon's house band. He's no Conan, but I think he'll grow on us. –Hips

Yes, you read that right. Last night the ever-so-charming Ryan Seacrest announced Kanye West will be dropping by the show sometime next week. He's allegedly going to show the remaining 13 contestants how to sing, while performing his hit "Heartless." I'm not sure someone who has mastered the art of the vocoder is the prime candidate to give anyonesinging lessons. I love Kanye, but get real. –Hips

Saturday, May 23rd
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Kings of Leon
The Decemberists
Animal Collective
Bon Iver
Devotchka
M. Ward
Doves
Sun Kil Moon

Sunday, May 24th
Jane's Addiction
Nine Inch Nails
TV On The Radio
The Murder City Devils
of Montreal
Calexico
M83
The Walkmen
St. Vincent
The Dodos
John Vanderslice

Monday, May 25th
Ben Harper 
Erykah Badu
Silversun Pickups
Fleet Foxes
Santigold
Grizzly Bear
Explosions In The Sky
Girl Talk
Blitzen Trapper
The Knux
Beach House

Visit the Sasquatch Festival's official site for more info