The Dø - “Gonna Be Sick!” The start of “Gonna Be Sick!” is a bit plodding and monotone, but as the song progresses, it becomes far more lively and colorful. Also, and the title may be a giveaway here, it gets to sound a lot more nervous. The emotional shifts are a bit jarring, and follow along with the piece’s unusual tonal and rhythmic transitions and collisions. (I actually hear a lot of Can influence in this arrangement. Do you?) Olivia Bouyssou Merilahti’s voice is especially great and expressive, investing her anxious words with enough drama to be emotionally engaging while just humorous enough to undercut the tension with some dark self-aware wit. The song pulled me in right away, but even still I feel like this is very much the type of track that can seem minor at first, but is quite astonishing when you spend a bit of time paying close attention to its details.

Buy it via The Dø’s site.

Prospero interviews singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom.

The Palo Alto Daily News profiles singer-songwriter John Vanderslice.

"It's very important for me (that the words) have a visual component," said Vanderslice, who in the past has stated he actually prefers watching films to listening to music. "I am definitely really influenced by visual presentation."

TBD profiles several D.C. concert poster artists.

Consequence of Sound profiles singer-songwriter Maryanna Sokol.

Music Ruined My Life compares the lives of songwriters Bob Dylan and Joe Strummer.

Recording LA lists its favorite live music recordings of 2010, complete with links to mp3 downloads of the performances.

John Vanderslice – “Sea Salt” From the forthcoming White Wilderness (ft. the Magik*Magik Orchestra) album, out 1/25 on Dead Oceans. You can pre-order the record now (including a bundle with limited vinyl, poster, singles & other good stuff, if you’re so inclined).