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Today’s Music News: Paul’s Boutique gets a commemorative mural, and more

by Staff

July 28, 2014

The owner of the Manhattan storefront pictured on the cover of the Beastie BoysPaul's Boutique—an album marking its quarter-century anniversary this year—has agreed to host a commemorative mural (above), which was painted this weekend by artist Danielle Mastrion. (Pitchfork)

A new app from the co-founder of Tinder takes a similar approach to music discovery: using an app called Next, up-and-coming artists can share samples of their work, and prospective fans can swipe left (veto) or swipe right (approve) to signal their feelings about what they're hearing. (Billboard)

Is it offensive to wear a Native headdress to a music festival? Many say yes, some apparently think no, but Canada's Bass Coast Festival is taking the decision out of festivalgoers' hands: "For various reasons, Bass Coast Festival is banning feathered war bonnets, or anything resembling them, onsite," the festival has announced via Facebook. "Bass Coast Festival takes place on indigenous land and we respect the dignity of aboriginal people." (Billboard)

Meanwhile, Courtney Love has added to her comments that a Kurt Cobain Broadway musical is "very likely" by saying she's additionally overseeing the creation of a biopic about her late husband. The couple's daughter Frances Bean Cobain as well as surviving Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic are also on board, Love told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. (Consequence of Sound)

Since Detroit native Jack White is turning out to be such a baseball fan, it only makes sense that he's been tapped to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday night's Tigers vs. White Sox game. His pitching prowess is sure to be compared (almost certainly favorably) to that of the notoriously wayward 50 Cent. (Rolling Stone)

Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner has released a sarcastic press release following the news that Billy Joel—who has been public in his past support of President Obama—will receive the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize. Titled "14 of Our Recent Greatest Hits on Jobs," the press release plays on Joel's song titles to make pointed attacks on the President's economic policies. "'Say Goodbye to Hollywood,' Mr. President, and work with us to help grow the middle class and expand economic opportunity for everyone, from the 'Piano Man' to the 'Uptown Girl.'" (Rolling Stone)

We've been wondering what the solo work from Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O might sound like, and we're finally getting the first taste. What do you think? (Consequence of Sound)

Speculation as to the identity of previously-unknown Lollapalooza act "Kausea" has ranged from Metallica to Daft Punk. The artist's identity has now been revealed: it's Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles. (Consequence of Sound)

You may soon be able to sing "Happy Birthday to You" without having to pay for the rights. For years Warner/Chappell (a subsidiary of Warner Brothers) has been claiming copyright on it and claiming an impressive licensing fee to use it in public performances. The company is now being sued for massive copyfraud for claiming a copyright it "clearly has no right to." (Boing Boing)

So, this is a weird one. A Portland musician conned people out of around $600,000. Kasey Anderson claimed he was making a benefit compilation to support the West Memphis Three with an album featuring Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Arcade Fire, Pearl Jam, and Lady Gaga, among others. Here's the twist: he never made and was never planning on making the album. Along the way he impersonated a Seattle tour manager, forged e-mails from the wife of the West Memphis defendants, pretended to be an entertainment lawyer, and said that Springsteen and Lady Gaga were working on a duet. (Pitchfork)

In local music news, Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL surprised a Paisley Park "listening party" audience by jumping onstage Saturday night to play several of Prince's hits on the eve of Purple Rain's 30th anniversary, including two songs from the movie's soundtrack. (Local Current)

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