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Today’s Music News: John Malkovich and Ric Ocasek collaborated on music, and it’s really weird

by Staff

September 20, 2015

John Malkovich announced that he'll release an album as a Record Store Day Black Friday vinyl exclusive. The album, as Rolling Stone describes, "finds Malkovich reciting classical musician Eric Alexandrakis' version of Plato's Allegory of the Cave over original material composed and produced by Alexandrakis." The musical material was then mixed by collaborators including Yoko Ono and Sean LennonDweezil Zappa, and the Dandy Warhols. Below, hear a track mixed by Ric Ocasek of the Cars.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/224312771" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]

The band Viet Cong have announced plans to change their controversial name—though they don't know what their new name will be yet. (Pitchfork) Watch the Local Current blog for updates on plans by Vietnamese-Minnesotans to organize a protest at the band's 7th Street Entry show on Thursday.

The Beatles' first recording contract has sold at auction for $93,750. An unnamed buyer scooped up the contract the band signed in 1961 to serve as backup band for Tony Sheridan's recording of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean." (Billboard)

Lady Gaga released a new video for her song "Til it Happens to You." The song was made for a documentary about campus sexual violence, and the stark video functions as a public service announcement about the problem. (The Atlantic)

The inaugural Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prizes will be announced on Oct. 9. The awards will recognize one key Canadian album from each of four time periods: the '60s/'70s, the '80s, the '90s, and the period from 2000-2005 (the Polaris Prize was first presented in 2006). Voting on a jury-chosen shortlist from each period is now open to the public.

Morrissey says that his London shows on Monday and Tuesday night are likely to be his last U.K. shows ever. Why? He's having a hard time finding a British record label to sign him. (Billboard)

INXS: The Musical? It'll happen if plans by the band's former manager Chris Murphy come to fruition. Murphy says he's working with "very strong creatives" in London and New York to develop story treatments for a musical incorporating the band's music. (Billboard)

In a newly-released clip from the German horror film Der NachtmahrKim Gordon—who plays a teacher in the film—talks about William Blake. (Pitchfork)

https://vimeo.com/139146387

Tidal supporter Win Butler says that major labels are in part to blame for the woes faced by the struggling streaming service. "They dictated that Tidal has to cost $20," Butler told The Independent, referring to the cost for the service's high-quality streaming option. "The major label music industry has completely ruined every aspect of their business. [...] That's why [Arcade Fire] never had any interest in signing a contract with one of these companies because they're clearly completely clueless."

On The Tonight ShowJimmy Fallon parodied Lionel Richie's "Hello" video—with a little help from the singer himself, or at least his head. (Rolling Stone)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=164&v=xXJSmGfw9oI

Insane Clown Posse have won an appeal in their lawsuit against the FBI to have their fans—the Juggalos—removed from the agency's list of organized gangs. The suit was originally dismissed, but a federal circuit judge has overturned that decision, meaning that the suit will move forward. In a statement, Insane Clown Posse told the Juggalos, "Thank you for standing strong with us in this battle and MUCH CLOWN LOVE! WHOOP WHOOP." (Rolling Stone)

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.