FRIDAY SHORTS

- For everyone seeing the Shins this weekend at Webster Hall - make sure you get there early to catch the Brunettes. Get a taste of their catchy 60's-inspired indie pop with the MP3 of "Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks" at Aeki Tuesday.

- I was just talking about Asobi Seksu heading into the studio, but it appears they are looking for a new drummer first. Hope all is OK and that they find someone soon. [via Coolfer]

- Tindersticks lead singer Stuart Staples has a solo album due out in June, called Lucky Dog Recordings 03-04. Though if you're itching for new Tindersticks material, I'd recommend starting with the National's new album Alligator in the meantime.

- Even with Sonic Youth also on the bill for the Pixies' June 14 show at Jones Beach, I'm not sure it's worth the schlep out there. (Or, even worse, the schlep back.) Especially since Mouse on Mars are playing the Knitting Factory that same night - everyone raves about MoM's live show but I've never seen them. EDIT - Sonic Youth actually had to pull out and will not be opening up the Pixies' Jones Beach and DC shows.

- Interscope will be re-releasing M.I.A.'s Arular on May 17 with the Piracy Funds Terrorism highlight "U.R.A.Q.T." as a bonus track. I'm normally all for bonus tracks, but adding one just two months after the original release is a little ridiculous.

- I dig the Pocket Remix of Joanna Newsom's "Bridges and Balloons," done by Richard of the Burnside Project and available here. [via Brooklyn Vegan]

- Coolfer - or, more specifically, his new contributor Alec Bemis - has an interesting new piece comparing the new rock revival (The Bravery, The Killers, etc.) to the early/mid-90's grunge explosion. I don't agree with it all, but it's thought-provoking and worth a read.

- I always enjoy good bucket drummers in subway stations and on the streets, and this guy has some serious skills. My favorite, though, of the subway musicians I've seen recently were two guys a couple months ago. One was playing bass (plugged in) and scat singing, the other was playing flute and tambourine (with his foot), and I was almost a little disappointed to see my train pull in.