Pitchfork

+ A couple weeks back, when Animal Collective were forced to cancel a date at L.A.'s Henry Fonda Theatre, the band seemed sincerely bummed about it. To make up for it, they've scheduled two new L.A. gigs this month: February 26 at the Henry Fonda Theatre and February 27 at the Troubadour. The Fonda gig will honor all tickets for the cancelled show. And if you can't make either of those concerts, the band will be back in L.A. in May as part of an even bigger U.S. tour.

+ You can't really go wrong with DFA, can you? They've been on a roll for years, and the Brooklyn dance label run by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy hopes to continue the streak with a few new vinyl releases. First, there's two separate 12" singles for "Oh Missy" from newcomers Woolfy, both released in conjunction with Rong Music. Most of what makes DFA so great-- bongos, synths, stabbing guitars-- can be found on "Oh Missy". Promising! Woolfy's debut LP If Ya Know What's Good For Ya!! is out later this year. UK dance duo Cage & Aviary head the other release, a 12" of their single "Television Train", which DFA is putting out through their Death From Abroad imprint. This one's a bit woollier, more like weed music as opposed to coke music (maybe?).

+ Robyn Hitchcock turns up pretty randomly in Rachel Getting Married and sings a couple songs at the main event. While watching the movie, I came to the realization that Robyn Hitchcock can only make things better. Not, like, zero to 60 better, but a little bit better. So good news: Hitchcock, along with Venus 3 buddies Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey (Minus Five, Young Fresh Fellows), and Bill Rieflin (Ministry), return with their second album, Goodnight Oslo, February 17 on Yep Roc. The Decemberists' Colin Meloy and Harvey Danger's Sean Nelson contribute guest vocals.

+ Psych-y indie-pop band It Hugs Back will release their debut album, Inside Your Guitar, on April 6 in the UK (April 7 in North America) on 4AD. The inside of most guitars are dark, dangerous places, but-- judging by single "Work Day"-- Inside Your Guitar will be fuzzy and warm. More like the inside of a pillow, really.