Russian PM calls for Pussy Riot to be released from jail - 09.12.2012


On Aug. 17, three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty on charges of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.” However, it appears that the musicians' sentence might be cut short. While the band has received a lot of support from prominent musicians such as Bjork, Madonna and Refused, their most powerful ally to date is Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The Associated Press reports that Medvedev says more prison time would be "unproductive." From the AP report:

Medvedev said the women’s appearance and the “hysteria” accompanying them made him sick, but keeping them in prison any longer would be unproductive.

“In my view, a suspended sentence would be sufficient, taking into account the time they have already spent in custody,” he said during a televised meeting with members of his United Russia party.

As more developments occur, we'll report them.

Video: Mission of Burma - "Semi-Psuedo-Sort-Of Plan" - 09.12.2012
Mission of Burma have just released the video for "Semi-Pseudo-Sort-Of Plan," a highlight from new album Unsound. It's a studio clip, depicting the band rocking out like pros, with some great facial expressions from bassist/vocalist Clint Conley. Watch it below.

Mercury Prize nominees announced - 09.12.2012


The Barclaycard Mercury Prize, which honors the best British music every year, has released its list of nominees for 2012. Those nominees are:

Jessie Ware - Devotion
Django Django - Django Django
The Maccabees - Given to the Wild
Roller Trio - Roller Trio
Richard Hawley - Standing at the Sky's Edge
Field Music - Plumb
Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again
Ben Howard - Every Kingdom
Plan B - Ill Manners
Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough
Sam Lee - Ground of Its Own

Last year's winner was PJ Harvey's Let England Shake. This year's winner will be announced Nov. 1.

Andy Stott reveals new album details - 09.12.2012


FACT reports that Dub techno producer Andy Stott is following up his pair of excellent, super creepy EPs from last year — Passed Me By and We Stay Together — with a full-length album titled Luxury Problems. The album is out via Modern Love Records Oct. 9. It contains eight tracks, five of which feature Stott's piano teacher, Alison Skidmore. And that diving woman picture is the album's cover.

Tracklist:

1. Numb
2. Lost and Found
3. Sleepless
4. Hatch the Plan
5. Expecting
6. Luxury Problems
7. Up the Box
8. Leaving