Neko Case and iTunes are teaming up to give fans live music (gasp!), interviews (argh!), and insight (don’t do it, guys!) into the former’s process. Though Case has awfully busy since the release of her most recent opus,  Middle Cyclone, the redheaded siren covering various artists for the iTunes gig, including Harry Nilsson’s “Don’t Forget Me.” In addition, iTunes is giving us clips of interviews with Case during which she explains the stories behind some of her tunes. Sounds like VH1 Storytellers but you know, for the Interweb

Tracklist:

1. iTunes Originals
2. Ghoststory Song (Interview)
3. Furnace Room Lullaby
4. Written on the Road (Interview)
5. Set Out Running
6. You Guys Have No Idea (Interview)
7. I Wish I Was the Moon (iTunes Originals Version)
8. Waking Dream Song (Interview)
9. Deep Red Bells
10. Time in a Farmhouse (Interview)
11. If You Knew
12. Inspired by Paul (Interview)
13. That Teenage Feeling (iTunes Originals Version)
14. Take It as Far as It Can Go (Interview)
15. Hold On, Hold On (iTunes Originals Version)
16. Too Cool (Interview)
17. Middle Cyclone (iTunes Originals Version)
18. Animals Act Like Animals (Interview)
19. People Got a Lotta Nerve (iTunes Originals Version)
20. Hard to Cover (Interview)
21. Don’t Forget Me (iTunes Originals Version)

In addition to Outside Lands and Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco has a chance to cash in on the ‘grass’ part of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival October 2-4. The free event, which celebrates its ninth birthday this year, boasts some impressive heavyweights and newcomers on multiple stages, ranging from Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett to Neko Case, Okkervil River, Old 97’s, Dr. Dog, and Tom Morello. It’s also worth noting that MC Hammer is also slated to perform, as is actor Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers. STEVE MARTIN, YOU GUYS. HE WAS IN “FATHER OF THE BRIDE.”

Full lineup:
Abalone Dots
Aimee Mann
Allen Toussaint
Allison Moorer
Amadou & Mariam
Austin Lounge Lizards
Barefoot Nellies
Billy Bragg
Billy Joe Shaver
Booker T. & the DBTs
Boz Scaggs and the Blue Velvet Band
Buddy Miller
Charlie Haden
Dar Williams
Darrell Scott Band
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
Doc Watson & David Holt
Dr. Dog
Dry Branch Fire Squad
Earl Scruggs
Eliza Gilkyson
Elizabeth Cook
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Emmylou Harris
Gillian Welch
Guy Clark & Verlon Thompson
Hayes Carll
Hazel Dickens
Jessica Lea Mayfield
John Prine
Jorma Kaukonen
Kevin Welch
Kieran Kane & Fats Kaplin
Kimmie Rhodes
Laurie Lewis
Little Feat
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Malo
Marianne Faithfull
Marley’s Ghost
Marshall Crenshaw
Marty Stuart
Mavis Staples
MC Hammer
Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue
Moonalice
Neko Case
Nick Lowe
ODC/Dance
Okkervil River
Old 97’s
Old Crow Medicine Show
Pamela Rose
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
Reckless Kelly, The Fireants
Red Wine
Richie Havens
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Robert Earl Keen
Robyn Hitchcock
Rodney Crowell
Roger Knox presents the Aboriginal Country & Western Songbook
Rosie Flores with Jon Langford and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts
Steve Earle & the Bluegrass Dukes
Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers
The Brothers Comatose
The Chieftains
The Claire Lynch Band
The Del McCoury Band
The Duhks
The Flatlanders featuring: Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock
The Knitters
The Tim O’Brien Band
The Wronglers
Todd Snider
Tom Morello
World Party

Former Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle just won’t get off our radar lately — yesterday it was his collaboration with Explosions in the Sky, today it’s even more collaborations, tour dates and a solo album.
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Notes From Middle America is contributor Danny R. Phillips monthly column. You can read past installments here.

In light of Touch and Go’s recent decision to shut its doors, Bloodshot Records may not be Chicago Illinois’ longest standing label, but at 15 years old, it might now be the “new” reference point for venerable Chicago indies for years to come. Founded in June of 1994 by Rob Miller and Nan Warshaw, the label is home to many acts and genres; whether it be surf lounge (The Dex Romweber Duo), rock (The Detroit Cobras, Firewater), Latin (Cordero), country (Justin Townes Earle) and nearly every other music type you can think of. But while Bloodshot could be called many things, there’s one tag in particular that seems to bother Miller.
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There is no question that A.C. Newman knows how to whip up some solid pop songs. He has a knack for witty lyrics, catchy hooks, and a pop mentally for orchestrating irresistibly and instantly accessible music. And on his latest solo effort, Get Guilty, the New Pornographers front man once again proves that he is the Canadian king of power pop.
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