Laura Marling Still Sad About Leaving Noah and the Whale: 'Carefree Days Are Gone'

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Tight-knit music scenes tend to get a bit incestuous over time. Band members start offshoot bands, others go solo yet everyone manages to make guest appearances at one another's shows. Just ask the always-shapeshifting Broken Social Scene, now on hiatus, and their countless spawns and crossovers. Something similar went down in West London a few years ago and from that we got folk artists like Mumford and Sons and Noah and the Whale, and solo singer-songwriter Laura Marling, who's inextricably tied to them both.

"We don't get to play together anymore," Marling tells Spinner. "We're all from the same tiny bit of West London. We all bump in to each other all the time, but the carefree days are gone. It's all a bit pro now."

Sublime With Rome Drummer Bud Gaugh Quits Band to Focus on Fatherhood

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Sublime With Rome drummer Bud Gaugh announced that he's leaving the band. "The story is that I'm gonna be a dad here again real soon, and I just wanna be there for my family," he revealed before the band's set at KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas on Dec. 10 in Los Angeles.

The former Sublime drummer and bassist Eric Wilson teamed up with singer Rome Ramirez in 2009 to perform tracks from their old albums as well as new material. Sublime, kwown for such hits as 'What I Got' and 'Santeria,' originally disbanded following the 1996 death of singer, guitarist and main songwriter Bradley Nowell.

Glee's Chord Overstreet Recording Original Music: Listen to 'Beautiful Girl'

Last week's episode of "Glee" saw the fan-demanded return of Chord Overstreet (aka the "trouty-mouthed" Sam Evans), who showed off a new stripped-down appearance (literally -- Sam's stripping to pay the bills). Now Overstreet is stripping down in a more artistic sense, jumping in to studio to record original music.

Exclusive: 2 Chainz and Future Talk Upcoming Projects and Touring

Whether cruising around the blogs or the block, you can't miss the sounds of two of the hottest rappers in Atlanta right now, 2 Chainz and Future. Just within this past year, both rappers have teamed up with some hip-hop heavy weights, such as T.I., Young Jeezy, Drake, Gucci Mane and more.

New Edition's 30th Anniversary Plans: New Album, Tour, Book, Blow-Out Concert

New Edition's trail to the 2013 30th anniversary of the group's first album ("Candy Girl") will include live shows, a new studio album, a book, a movie, possibly a play and a blow-out gig that could result in a DVD -- at least if the group members have their way.

"2012 is going to be an incredible year for us," the group's Ronnie DeVoe predicts to Billboard.com. "Of course, we want to get to the 40th and 50th, too, but we just feel like our road to the 30th is going to be special because all of these different things that are in front of us. It's just gonna be an incredible ride."

The concerts -- which the reunited sextet began on July 3 at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans and continues with a four-day New Year's weekend run starting Dec. 29 in Highland, Calif. -- are "the bread and butter" of New Edition's plans according to bandmate Ricky Bell. But the group is also in the planning stage for a new album, which will be the its first since 2004's "One Love" and the first to feature all six members -- DeVoe, Bell, Bobby Brown, Johnny Gil, Ralph Tresvant and Michael Bivins -- since "Home Again" in 1996.

"There's definitely been discussion," Bell says. "We're on calls with each other weekly. Right now it's just about scheduling and timing and setting up who we'll be working with as far as producers and writers and locking down whatever the deal is -- whatever label it's going to be or if it's going to be independent. So there's a lot that we have to talk about, but we're all excited about putting something new out and adding new songs into the show."

DeVoe predicts that the album will "be true to who we are at this particular time" but adds that he's "looking forward to something that has a little bit more of a retro feel and taking it back to live instrumentation...and talking about love and the ups and downs and the various things that go on in relationships." Bell adds that the material will reflect "the type of songs we're performing in our shows right now...singing different melodies with the nice grooves on top that you can dance to and, of course, the lovemaking ballads. I would think we would stay somewhat in that vein."

DeVoe says New Edition also hopes to take advantage of Internet and social media opportunities "and some of the ways that you're able to deliver music straight to your audience. We just have to see what the frequency of the music industry is right now and plug into that."

DeVoe and Bell have less to say about the New Edition book they hope to publish as part of the 30th anniversary celebration, and Bell acknowledges that film biography or documentary may not make it out by 2013 but is "definitely something that will be part of the plan." He says a stage musical may also be possible, while there will "absolutely" be a 30th anniversary concert, "hopefully in a stadium. What we would like to do is make it two hours because sometimes, in certain arenas, we can't play for that long and record a live DVD as well as a live album and put it out. We feel like we didn't give the 25-year event its just due, so we want to capitalize on the 30th year."

The New Edition shows, meanwhile, include not only the group's hits but also favorites from the members' solo careers and other groups such as Bell Biv DeVoe, Heads of State and LSG. "That's all our history," DeVoe says, "so we're trying to give people a little bit of all of that. We would be failing ourselves if we didn't do a combination of it all."

Afghan Whigs Reunite for First Shows in 13 Years, Replace Guided by Voices at ATP

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Afghan Whigs are the latest band to succumb to the reunion fever that is running rampant on both sides of the Atlantic. The Cincinnati band will perform for the first time in 13 years when it reunites to play All Tomorrow's Parties' I'll Be Your Mirror festival in London, according to BrooklynVegan.

The concert will take place at London's Alexandra Palace from May 25-27 with the band performing on the final day. The Afghan Whigs formed in Cincinnati in late 1986, delivering a string of critically acclaimed albums and blistering live performances throughout the '90s until they finally disbanded in 2001.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse Rocks Out: 'Superbad' Star's Band, the Young Rapscallions, Premieres 'Middae' Track

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Christopher Mintz-Plasse may be known for roles in movies like 'Superbad' and 'Role Models,' but lately, he's been setting his sights on music. The San Fernando Valley-based actor and three of his childhood friends are part of a rock band called the Young Rapscallions. The project began when Mintz-Plasse and guitarist Nick Chamian started jamming to songs by their favorite bands, such as the White Stripes. The duo then tried its hand at writing originals and enlisted the help of Jonathan Sanders on vocals and Taylor Messersmith on bass.

Since forming in 2007, the Young Rapscallions have been catching the attention of music fans across the United States and internationally. According to Mintz-Plasse, the foursome considers itself a garage-rock band, due to their unadulterated rock sound and the fact that rehearsals take place in Mintz-Plasse's parents' garage.

In an exclusive interview with Spinner, Mintz-Plasse says he'd love to make a living touring the world and performing with the Young Rapscallions. He also discusses buying his first drum set after receiving his paycheck from 'Superbad' and explains how a sex show led to the title of the band's debut album.

CBC Bucky Awards: Dan Mangan Makes Out With Sexiest Artist Award

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If there's one thing that the 2011 Bucky Awards taught us it's that Canadian indie music fans heart Dan Mangan. The Vancouver singer-songwriter won Best Song back in 2009 for 'Robots' so he was all too happy to accept the honour again Dec. 7 for 'Row of Houses' at the CBC Radio 3 Awards, as voted by the online radio station's fervent fans.

Mangan also walked away with the Sexiest Artist award, which was a bit of a surprise and even the adorable singer seemed abashed at his win, especially considering he beat out sexpots like the Handsome Furs.

Austra, seemingly the critical favourite with 'Lose It,' was overlooked for Best Song, frontwoman Katie Stelmanis did not go empty-handed, deservedly winning for Best Voice. Montreal transplants Braids won for Best New Artist while Arkells took home Best Live Show, beating out the likes of Rolling Stone cover boys the Sheepdogs and beloved hardcore crew F----ed Up.

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon 'Stands Behind' Anti-Grammy Comments

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After slagging the Grammys and going head to head with the Avalanches on account of his "sell-out" Bushmills Whiskey endorsement, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon is trying to set the record straight.

Speaking to Q host Jian Ghomeshi during a live tapping of the CBC show in Toronto Thursday morning, Vernon addressed the comments he made to the New York Times regarding the Grammy's compromising artist integrity.

"I think I can stand behind all that stuff," he said. "I come from a place where music, growing up, was an expression, it was a journey, a vehicle for self-discovery. So I've always been a little bit hesitant of the industrial approach to music and making music."

Florence and the Machine -- Behind the Sessions

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This fall, Florence and the Machine stopped by our New York studios for an incredible Sessions taping, performing acoustic renditions of tracks from her debut, 'Lungs,' and her new album, 'Ceremonials.'

A true professional, Florence knocked out her five-song set so quickly that she might well have set a record for all the tapings we've done at AOL Music. Check out some behind-the-scenes footage from her incredible performance and photo shoot below, and come back to Spinner tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 9) to watch the whole thing!

The Roots' 'Fallon' Songs Will Be Screened by NBC Execs After Bachmann Controversy

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As Spinner previously reported, Roots drummer and 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' employee Questlove has been in hot water with women's groups, NBC executives and Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann after playing Fishbone's 'Lyin' Ass Bitch' as the Republican presidential candidate's walk-on music.

Since then, Quest and crew have admitted that the song choice was a mistake and that they regretted playing the song. Now Pitchfork reports that NBC is upping the ante. After having to apologize to all the people they pissed off, including Bachman's camp, the television network will now pre-screen every single song the Roots will play on 'Late Night.'

Questlove, born Amir Thompson, told Rolling Stone in an upcoming profile that NBC has put the clamp down on what can and can't be played as "walk-on" music. Each song will now be pre-screened by three executives and the drummer is forever banned from tweeting about the incident again.

John Lennon Remembered by Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr 31 Years After His Death

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Today marks 31 years since the tragic murder of John Lennon, and the people that loved him most remember the Beatle and songwriter as a voice of a generation and an arbiter of peace. Speaking to the Vancouver Sun, the late singer's widow, Yoko Ono, tells of her husband's current task in the afterlife.

"Now that John's a spirit, he has a different effect on people than when he was alive. Spirits talk on a pure level and don't get distracted by people saying things like, 'That's nice, but why's he wearing that?'" Though Ono admits, even though her lover's ghost exists in countless songs, records and hearts of fans, she would still prefer history in a different way. "Of course, it would still be better if John was around."

MTV's Ballsy Beginning, Race Issues + Rise to Power Examined in New Oral History

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Beginning with the Buggles' 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' MTV kicked off its music-video programming on Aug. 1, 1981. Back then, the network started as an up-and-coming all-music channel; by the mid-'80s, MTV became a crucial promotional vehicle for artists and the record labels. In its first 10 years, it was a springboard for then-new acts like Duran Duran and Madonna, and it showcased the musical styles of those times such as New Wave, hair metal, hip-hop, dance and grunge.

In 'I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution,' their recently published oral history of the channel, authors Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum focus on the period from 1981 to 1992, which they describe as the "Golden Age of MTV." Featuring numerous interviews with musicians, actors, directors and former MTV executives and VJs, 'I Want My MTV' offers insightful perspective and outrageous stories about the network and the era. The book also reveals the behind-the-scenes stories of videos such as Michael Jackson's
'Thriller' and Madonna's 'Like a Virgin.'

Spinner recently spoke with Marks about MTV's early years and how things changed at the network when original shows like 'The Real World' and 'Beavis and Butt-Head' emerged in the '90s

Florence and the Machine Strip Down for Sessions -- Exclusive Video

Gino DePinto, AOL

Florence Welch's voice is a true force of nature. Hearing it on a Florence and the Machine record is one thing, but being in the same room with her while she's belting out her hits almost makes you physically feel her vocals. And it's even more of a stark experience when she does it over acoustic instrumentation, like she did for a special Sessions taping at our New York studio. After her performance, which included tracks from her new album 'Ceremonials' as well as her 2009 debut 'Lungs,' we sat down with Welch to talk about recording at Abbey Road, the sophomore slump, her favorite cocktail and why she's nearly caused a few car accidents.

The Lonely Forest Perform 'Go Outside' Inside a Studio -- Video Premiere

James Bailey

The Lonely Forest hails from Anacortes, Wash., and share their mix of gentle pensiveness and subtle grit with fellow Washingtonians Death Cab for Cutie, whose guitarist Chris Walla has lent the band his producer's touch. This new video of the band performing 'Go Outside' off of their most recent album 'Arrows' is a sparse affair, and features the band delivering a somber performance of the song.

"I wrote 'Go Outside' while stuck indoors at a home for the elderly in Atlanta, Ga.," singer and guitarist John Van Deusen tells Spinner. "I was visiting my grandfather (who couldn't really get out at the time) and began to have this feeling that -- while still able -- anyone and everyone should be outside as much as possible! We filmed this session at Studio 1290 while we were in New York City for CMJ, and though it was filmed indoors we hope the song makes you want to get up, go out and enjoy your life."