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Today’s Music News: Prince reportedly planning Grammys surprise

by Staff

January 28, 2015

Us Weekly isn't the New York Times—but it's not the National Enquirer either, so an Us Weekly report that Prince has "something in the works" for the Grammys has fans' tongues wagging. The report only cites an anonymous source, but this mystery person is absolutely certain that "He has something very, very special in the works!" Stay tuned to see what Prince's surprise might (or might not) be when the Grammys are broadcast on Feb. 8.

In other Grammys news: now that Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne are credited as co-writers of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me," will they get Grammys if the tune wins Song of the Year? Nope—but they would get framable certificates. The Grammys are regarding "I Won't Back Down" as a song interpolated into "Stay With Me," and the procedure in such cases is to give trophies to the writers of the new song, certificates to the writers of the old one. (Consequence of Sound)

Not to begrudge his streaming "rival" Spotify, Father John Misty stopped by the service's offices to perform music with the help of a karaoke machine. Dig that intense Spider-Man mural. (Consequence of Sound)

After 14 years apart, the original lineup of L7 are reuniting for at least two festival gigs as well as a fan-funded documentary. They're the latest acclaimed female indie group to announce a reunion in recent months. Sleater-Kinney are back together with an acclaimed new album and a tour that stops at First Avenue (with support from Lizzo) on Valentine’s Day. Minnesota’s own Babes in Toyland have also announced a reunion that will begin with a two shows in California next month. (Local Current)

Canada's Juno Award nominations have been announced, with leading contenders being the disparate trio of Magic!Kiesza, and Leonard Cohen. The awards will be presented in Hamilton, Ontario on March 15. (CBC)

Desaparecidos, the punk band fronted by Conor Oberst, announced that later this year they will release their first album since 2002. (Consequence of Sound)

Bob Dylan says that if he wasn't a musician, he would be a teacher. NME imagines what Dylan's curricula might look like.

"It gets all lawyer-y," says Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, explaining to Rolling Stone that guitarist Tom DeLonge didn't quit the band, but that he's not in the band any more either. Hoppus and bandmate Travis Barker said that DeLonge had effectively left the band, even if by his account he never technically quit. It's a messy situation, but at least now Tron Guy knows who Blink-182 are.

The monetization of social-messaging platform Snapchat began in earnest with the launch of Discover, a feature that feeds content from major media organizations—including Warner Music Group, Vice, and other music-oriented companies—to Snapchat users. (Billboard)

On March 1, Record Store Day will launch an online radio station via DASH Radio. The idea was proposed by 2014 Record Store Day ambassador Chuck D. Specific programming has yet to be determined. (Billboard)

The Jesus and Mary Chain announced a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album Psychocandy. On each tour stop—sorry, no Minnesota dates have been booked—the band will play the album in its entirety. (Rolling Stone)

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