Exclusive: Patrick Wolf Explains His "Retirement"
"For me to say I was going to quit music is like saying I'm going to commit suicide. It's the most extreme thing that could happen in my life."

Patrick Wolf is not quitting music. Despite his recent post on a fan message board saying, "My final concert will be this November... I am not sure whether there will be anymore public communications after that. In fact, I am pretty sure there will be none," it turns out Wolf just plans to take a little break from the cycle of touring and promoting records.

Even Wolf's break looks to be busy, though. He already has two albums' worth of material written for his follow-up to The Magic Position, which doesn't even come out in the U.S. until May 1. His tour has expanded as well, with the addition of Amy Winehouse-free headlining dates in New York and L.A., and a promise of more West Coast gigs.

We spoke to Wolf to get the full story on his non-retirement, and we also asked him about the shape of that next record (or two), how he wants to model his career after Gustav Mahler and Liberace, how he became friends with Kelly Osbourne, and why he feels a kinship with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Pitchfork: Will this orchestral concert in November really be your last?

Patrick Wolf: Um, yeah. I really want people to know that I never released a press release about this issue. I wasn't trying to get published by anybody. I was just writing a very close community of fans. Somebody took that and turned it into a big story, and it's gotten out of control. I just want people to know that, first of all, I never said I was quitting music, and second of all, I never did it in a public way.

I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have music in my life, and this is going to turn into some kind of horrendous Mariah Carey speech, but the music has led me through many adventures and disasters and good times and total lonely times and for me to say I was going to quit music is like saying I'm going to commit suicide. It's the most extreme thing that could happen in my life. That would make me miserable, so I would never say I was quitting music, because I would never know where to start.

Pitchfork: So what did you mean by that message board post?

PW: This year's been strange because The Magic Position is about a relationship that happened a year ago, a very serene and magical time, between me and an artist called Ingrid Z. And I'm having to come and be like a vessel for all these songs, but I'm an honest performer as well. I don't even like to use the word "performance." I don't want to be a traveling businessman or salesman for my work. I want to be a musician that sings and feels and makes people feel, and when something becomes too repetitive, then I feel like I'm not doing my job.

The bad habit that I've had in the last six years since I released my first EP was to not even think that I'm a human being, that I need to sleep or to eat or to go to the toilet or have sex or anything. I just go, "Okay, I'm going on tour for the next year. Goodbye, everyone." And then I say, "Yeah, sure I'll do seven hours of interviews before a show." I do all this, and I enjoy it, but there's a certain time in every musician's life, you've got to realize-- I'm kind of like Britney Spears in a way. I've been doing it as a teenager, so I'm kind of trying to start thinking about being a human so I can start to make my work again. I have to be like the mother and father of my work and say, "It's time to go to bed, Patrick, and it's time not to open your mouth, and it's time to create."

Pitchfork: Do you really feel like Britney Spears?

PW: I think so, yeah [laughs]. I was actually just thinking about her. I guess because my first record painted some strange enigmatic picture of who I was, and I was kind of put into many boxes by the media, almost like there's a virgin that was on that album and a specific character that I don't relate to really. And I'm specifically talking about media interpretation and audience interpretation. I've been made to feel, over the last four or five years, that I should be living in a cave and communicate via pigeons, with no electricity. [MORE...]

R.I.P. San Fadyl of the Ladybug Transistor
UPDATE: Words from the Ladybug Transistor's Gary Olson

San Fadyl, drummer for the beloved Brooklyn indie-pop act the Ladybug Transistor, passed away today, April 26, in his Zurich, Switzerland home due to complications stemming from a lengthy bout with severe asthma.

UPDATE: Pitchfork contacted Ladybug Transistor frontman Gary Olson, who wished to share the following words:

San was one of my dearest friends-- one of the kindest, most generous, warmest people I have ever known. I spoke to him about a week ago on the telephone when he was getting home from the hospital. I had been out of town and didn't realize how serious his hospital stay was. Despite his health, he seemed his usual self. Lots of laughter. I could hear him bouncing his new son Liam in his arms. He was excited about the release of the Ladybug album and touring plans-- the usual things. I never would have imagined he wouldn't be with us for much longer. I'm glad to remember him seeming so happy the last time we spoke.

Ladybug are thankful for all of the the messages and thoughts coming in during these past days while we've been dealing with San's passing. We've been feeling a lot of love from people all over the world who will miss this wonderful friend.

A funeral service will be held next Friday [May 4] in Zurich. His many friends in New York plan to gather to remember him on that day as well.

Any condolences to San's wife Brigit and their son Liam can be sent to:

Brigit Vonarburg
Wasserwerk Strasse 103
Zurich
Switzerland

At the moment, we still plan to go on with live commitments in May through the summer, feeling it would be the best way honor to San.

In a statement posted on the Ladybug Transistor's MySpace page, the band addressed their fans about Fadyl's passing:

"Dear Friends, We are very sad and shocked to let you know that Ladybug drummer San Fadyl passed away on the morning of April 26th at his home in Zurich, Switzerland. San was hospitalized just a few weeks ago with serious asthma problems, something he's battled for a long time. After being treated and released he was home for a week but suffered a severe attack that was related to his condition.

It's hard to put into words just how much we will miss San after 10 years of music and friendship. He was a genuinely beautiful person that touched everyone who met him with his warmth, kindness, generosity and humor. His wide smile is something people often remember first. We know there are lots of you out there who love him and will miss him as much as we do already. Our thoughts are with San's family, his wife Brigit and their new baby Liam."

The Ladybug Transistor have set up a webpage in tribute to San where fans and friends may share their thoughts and memories. They also intend to put together a memorial concert, details forthcoming.

Fadyl joined the Ladybug Transistor prior to 1999's The Albemarle Sound, contributing to both their Argyle Heir and self-titled albums. The band recently issued an EP of covers entitled Here Comes the Rain, and their Can't Wait Another Day LP is due for release June 7 on Merge. San also played in Individual Fruit Pie and performed solo.

We at Pitchfork wish to extend our thoughts to Fadyl's bandmates, friends, and family.

"Reclusive Hero" (Live)


"Like a Summer Rain" (Live)

[MORE...]

Exclusive: Spoon Reveal Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Cover Art
Album art approximately 87% less wacky than album title

So, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga really is the title of Spoon's forthcoming album. There it is, emblazoned in samurai-ish lettering atop this grainy, high contrast black-and-white portrait of-- um, is that one of the dudes from Daft Punk??

UPDATE: As numerous savvy readers have informed us, this is in fact a 1963 Ugo Mulas portrait of American artist/sculptor Lee Bontecou, whose wildly imaginative artistic renderings are perhaps even cooler than Daft Punk. Yes, that cool.
 
As previously reported, Merge delivers the latest opus from Britt Daniel and company on July 10. Go Ga Ga over Spoon as they continue their tour tonight. [MORE...]

Prinzhorn Dance School Scrap U.S. Tour
They won't be takin' the American Express, neither!

Let this be a lesson to you: never get your hopes up about anything. After gushing about Prinzhorn Dance School's ruddy disco-punk anthems in a story about their joint dates with LCD Soundsystem, it turns out they've fallen prey to the visa issues plaguing plenty of rockers abroad attempting to enter into a Patriot Act-era U.S.

A DFA Records statement on the matter reads, "we realize this almost seems cliche by now for overseas bands, but it is the truth. We are all truly saddened that they will not be joining LCD Soundsystem on the U.S. tour, but swear they will be back very soon."

Prinzhorn fans will have some consolation mid-May, as DFA Records releases a 7" single and digital-download of "Up! Up! Up!" backed with "Hamworthy Sports and Leisure Centre" on May 14 overseas and the following day in the U.S. Check both tunes right now on DFA's MySpace. [MORE...]

Clap Your Hands Say No to Four Dates

Could it be T.I.P. ran 'em off again? Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, those easy, breezy, beautiful glee-poppers, have ducked out of four dates early next week. The band announced the cancellations and plans to reschedule on their website, but did not include any reason for the postponement. Neither the band nor its publicist could be reached for explanation, but if the story behind the nixed dates turns out to be juicy, you know we'll fill you in.

Thanks to Josh Shields and several other Clap fanatics for the tip.

CYHSY will proceed as planned on their jam-packed summer jaunt, which takes them from the wilds of Texas to the base of Mt. Fuji and all manner of places in between. [MORE...]

Jens Lekman Announces Festival Dates, Album Tidbits
He'll turn your legs to spaghetti and set your heart on fire

Free swingin', ukelele-slingin' Swede Jens Lekman's got no plans to trudge up Hammer Hill on his recently-announced string of tour dates, but he has lined up five sweet summer's nights at festivals throughout Europe.

Lekman's label Secretly Canadian also reports that the full length album he, at one point, promised he'd never make-- the album he was, as recently claimed on his Small Talk blog, "scared… would become [his] own Chinese Democracy"-- is "tentatively scheduled for a late-fall release." Tentatively scheduled, eh? Sounds suspiciously like the real Chinese Democracy. I'd pay big bucks to hear Jens cover "Patience".

As you'll recall, Jens tackled Scout Niblett's "Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death" on the just-released Secretly Canadian SC100 comp. [MORE...]

Kanye, Lily, Bryan Ferry, Pharrell Play Diana Tribute
Plus: Duran Duran, Elton John, Rod Stewart, more

The friends and family of the late Princess Diana of Wales have gathered their energies to announce Concert for Diana, a tribute event taking place at the newly-revamped Wembley Stadium in London July 1.

The concert will mark both Diana's 46th birthday and the tenth anniversary of her death. Kanye West, Lily Allen, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music, Pharrell Williams, and Duran Duran are among the performers already lined up, with many more promised. View the complete current lineup here. Proceeds from the sales of tickets, available tomorrow, will go to several charities chosen by Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry.

Exclusive: Hot Chip, Rapture, Fujiya Remix Get Physical
Anniversary comp also includes Herbert, Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y., Henrik Schwarz, Moby

German dance/techno label Get Physical will celebrate its fifth year of existence this year like any normal five-year-old...with a compilation and a tour.

Titled 5 Years Get Physical, the comp features two discs of exclusive new tracks from Get Physical artists and remixes of GF staples by big-name dance and indie acts like the Rapture, Hot Chip, Herbert, Fujiya & Miyagi, Henrik Schwarz, and Moby. The remixes comprise the first disc of the compilation, while the exclusives fill out the second disc.

Get Physical will release 5 Years on June 5 (what nice symmetry), but the label's anniversary tour begins tonight in Amsterdam. The tour has a constantly changing lineup, so check those dates closely. [MORE...]

Pentangle Box Shaping Up for U.S. Release
Are you ready to (folk) rock?

Jazzy English folk-rock collective Pentangle's The Time Has Come: 1967-73 box-- to which Pitchfork's Matthew Murphy added his voice to the chorus of praise here-- will be released May 1 in the U.S. by Castle/Sanctuary Records. The Time Has Come collects four discs of studio output, live recordings, TV sessions, and a mess of previously unreleased work by the Bert Jansch-boasting troubadour troupe. [MORE...]

Yoko Ono, Califone, Sea & Cake Join Pitchfork Fest
Plus: Twilight Sad, Nomo, Fred Lonberg-Holm's Lightbox Orchestra

Another week, another round of Pitchfork Music Festival madness! Today, we're ecstatic to announce that Yoko Ono, Califone, the Sea and Cake, the Twilight Sad, Nomo, and Fred Lonberg-Holm's Lightbox Orchestra have joined the already impressive lineup for this year's fest, going down July 13-15 at Chicago's Union Park.

Visionary music-maker Ono, perennial favorites Califone, and Scottish upstarts the Twilight Sad will now perform Saturday alongside Cat Power, Clipse, Iron and Wine, and more, while indie rock institution the Sea and Cake, Michigan Afrobeat party-starters Nomo, and experimental jazz/noise ensemble Fred Lonberg-Holm's Lightbox Orchestra beef up a Sunday roster that already includes the New Pornographers, De La Soul, and Stephen Malkmus, among others.

And let's not forget Friday's festival opening event, held in conjunction with All Tomorrow's Parties' Don't Look Back, at which Sonic Youth will perform the whole of Daydream Nation, GZA/Genius will slice straight through Liquid Swords, and Slint will showcase all of Spiderland.

The lineup to date (newly announced artists in bold):

Friday, July 13:

Sonic Youth perform Daydream Nation
GZA/Genius performs Liquid Swords
Slint perform Spiderland

Saturday, July 14:

Yoko Ono
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues (w/ members of Dirty Three, the Delta 72 & JSBX)
Clipse
Iron and Wine
Girl Talk
Grizzly Bear
Battles
Califone
The Twilight Sad
Fujiya & Miyagi
Oxford Collapse
Dan Deacon
Beach House
Professor Murder
Ken Vandermark's Powerhouse Sound

Sunday, July 15:

The New Pornographers
De La Soul
Stephen Malkmus
Of Montreal
Jamie Lidell
The Sea and Cake
Menomena
Klaxons
The Ponys
Deerhunter
Nomo
Craig Taborn's Junk Magic
Fred Lonberg-Holm's Lightbox Orchestra

As you well know by now, tickets are on sale now at Ticketweb. Three-day passes cost $50, Friday night costs $15, Saturday and Sunday individual passes cost $25, and a Saturday/Sunday pass costs $35.

Keep up on all the latest festival news and details by bookmarking the Pitchfork Music Festival webpage and by tuning into the Pitchfork Music Festival podcast.

Coachella Valley Festival Kicks Off Tomorrow
Perhaps you've heard of it?

Very soon, near the southern tip of California in the desert just outside of Indio, several thousand people will be making the rest of us very jealous. The seventh now-annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival begins tomorrow (April 27), ends Sunday, and finds time in between to pack in some the finest musical acts in the world, numbering in triple-digits.

Tomorrow, for instance, there'll be Björk, Sonic Youth, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Interpol, Of Montreal, Arctic Monkeys, DJ Shadow, El-P, Busdriver, Flosstradamus, Brother Ali, Peeping Tom, Gogol Bordello, Silversun Pickups, Tilly and the Wall, Felix da Housecat, plus at least 20 others. Not bad, huh?

Saturday's no slouch neither, what with the Arcade Fire, the Decemberists, the Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Ghostface Killah, Hot Chip, the New Pornographers, !!!, Pharoahe Monch, Girl Talk, Sparklehorse, Peter Bjorn and John, Roky Erickson & the Explosives, Pop Levi, Andrew Bird, Blonde Redhead, MSTRKRFT, Cornelius, and more.

Sunday, of course, there's the Zach-packing Rage Against the Machine, Happy Mondays (sans resident dancer Mark "Bez" Berry, who was unable to secure a visa in time), Air, the Roots, Klaxons, Lily Allen, Lupe Fiasco, Spank Rock, CSS, Junior Boys, Grizzly Bear, Explosions in the Sky, Tapes 'n Tapes, Konono N°1, for starters.

Heck, there's so many bands, they've even set fest-goers up with a nifty little web-feature called the Coachooser, which all but plots out your route for you. They've also made decision matters slightly easier by diluting the talent pool a bit, with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Peaches, Fountains of Wayne, and Kings of Leon. Burn! We kid, because we love.

Those of us not fortunate enough to cast off the shackles of the workaday world and flee to Southern California can live like desert trash in the comfort of our own climate-controlled domiciles, as seven hours a day of Coachella will be webcast live via AT&T's Blue Room. Check the schedule here.

I'm being told by my editors I've got enough space for another Kings of Leon joke, so here goes: more like... Kings of Peon!

Walkmen, Wrens, Furnaces, Girl Talk Head Idea! Fest
Plus: Destroyer, Sunset Rubdown, Xiu Xiu, Frog Eyes, Damo Suzuki, Rock Plaza Central

Poster art by Jack Dylan

Nah, nobody spiked your poutine luncheon: that there feller immediately to the left of these here words is none other than Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hanging-ten in a crowd surf. Nutty revelry of this sort should abound at Ottawa's Capital Idea! Festival, wrangled together by Canadian music promotion company/blog Mocking Music.

From June 21-30, Some of indie rock's finest will converge on the city to take in a Lynx game or two, bask in the humid continental climate, or maybe check out a show or two from their fellow festees at Ottawa venues like Barrymore's Music Hall, Babylon Nightclub, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and the Bronson Centre Theatre.

Capital Idea! is only half-formed at this point. Fest organizers promise over thirty acts in total, and the current lineup's a doozy: the Walkmen, Destroyer, the Wrens, the Fiery Furnaces, Damo Suzuki, Girl Talk, Sunset Rubdown, Xiu Xiu, Frog Eyes, Rock Plaza Central, Crystal Castles, Montag, the Russian Futurists, and Born Ruffians. O, Canada!

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)