Don’t adjust your internets…Hypeful is back! After a “wee” hiatus, Hypeful has received an absolutely brilliant (and much needed makeover) courtesy of my über-talented good friend/design ninja Jay from Bittbox! The new look is more than just an aesthetic overhaul (please roll your mouse over the site logo). In the coming weeks, I’m looking forward to presenting exciting new content and features to you. (The podcast should be up shortly!)

Big, big, big thanks to Jay for the new look! If you’ve not visited Bittbox, yet - you should! In the meantime, stay tuned! It’s going to be an exciting new week at Hypeful!

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Despite speculation that Bloc Party might be releasing new music this morning, the cryptic countdown on their website simply revealed a plug for Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show, set to air tonight (July 7) at 7:30pm BST (that’s 1:30pm CDT, yanks). Some fans are apparently upset, so hopefully the radio show will be something bigger than, oh say, another plug for a chat show appearance.

VIDEO:

PREVIOUSLY:
Bloc Party Launches Mystery Countdown; New Music Tomorrow?

Perhaps realizing that he’s released zero albums so far in 2008, Ryan Adams has seemingly announced his retirement from blogging. However, Adams decided to quit his blog by revealing some rather fun facts about himself, including:

1. I never dated Alanis Morrisette. But she is very nice.
2. I never dated Winona Ryder, but she is my friend and I will always love her.
3. I never KICKED OUT anyone from a concert and I seriously could give six shits about Bryan Adams or that song.
4. I used to take drugs and drink but I never did that when I was wrirting.
5. I am not catholic nor baptist. I am quietly converting but by the books, to a much older and less mystic religion..
6. I have only dated 5 women in my life.
7. I used to want to get married. Now I don’t care anymore. I hope I die alone and under a lot of work.
8. It is almost two years since I have been sober.
9. I hate HATE country music.
10. I never intended to be a songwriter. I just wanted to be a writer and a visual artist and in a metal band.
11. I am going deaf.

That’s the Cliff’s Notes version, anyway. For Adams’ full elaboration on his farewell facts, check out his blog.

MP3:
Ryan Adams - “Everybody Knows”

Take note social networking addicts - Thom is the new Tom! Radiohead has launched their very own free of charge “social networking site,” W.A.S.T.E. Central, where fans can interact. Although W.A.S.T.E. Central’s features are pretty standard right now (create a profile, post photos/video, etc.), a W.A.S.T.E. Central admin promises, “We’ll be adding plenty more bits and pieces in the coming weeks and ironing out any wrinkles or annoyances the best we can. Hope you find something interesting to play with.”

Songkick is an interesting new website that finds upcoming concerts in your area based on your musical tastes. (It’s like Pandora for live gigs!) It’s simple to use - either type in bands you dig or download a plugin that compares music in your iTunes library with Songkick’s tour tracker. If you want a comprehensive list of tour dates (like I did), just click the “listings” tab. Songkick then makes educated guesses about what music you’ll like that you may not have heard before and suggests local live shows for you to attend. Even better, the site puts the concert listings and links to ticket sellers in one place so you can compare prices! (Thanks to Pop Candy for the heads up!)