Our beloved GM, Matt Harmon, has been out on a well-deserved vacation for 2 weeks.

Upon his return, he will notice a number of things have changed.

Including the newly coronated, Xbox Fridays, where Helen schools Blake in Project Gotham Racing.

Did you all catch the Friendly Fires on Kimmel last night?

If you’ve caught the fearsome twosome on any of the tour supporting LP3, you shall recognize the visuals.

the XX came, they saw and they killed us all softly with their song. we have the pictures to prove how good the times were.

we can’t wait to have the kids back in November!

photo by Fiona Diffley

Indeed, in less than one short hour, starting at 2PM EDT, you can listen to the lovely lads and lasses of Camera Obscura and their session on World Café. Full of Scottish pop goodness, it is sure to inject your day with joy. Or at least thirty minutes of good music and cutting wit. Listen on WXPN in Philadelphia (88.5FM), on an NPR-related station in your ‘hood, or online. It’ll be worth your while.

Our good friend Matt Perpetua knows a thing or two about how to make money off music these days – MERCH.

I just scored a Washing Machine FluxTee (homage to Sr. Flux’s favorite SY album?)….  go pick up your own here so that you can rock it at the next Pool Party.

I can’t fully explain why said honor would be bestowed on Mr. Spierer today, but by tomorrow evening it will all be made clear.

In the meantime, Gabe needs to work on his “Smurf” and can take a few pointers from this guy.

Not much gets Gabe out and about early in the day but some things do. And that list would include Friendly Fires soundchecking for “It’s On With Alexa Chung” at MTV. This airs TODAY at noon on MTV!!!! And you NYC peeps – don’t forget they play LPR tonight and MHOW tomorrow night

Just before starting their week-long takeover of New York, London’s The xx will be popping in to East Village Radio to play some songs for Mark Ronson’s Authentic Shit program. The show starts at 8 PM EDT, with the band slated to go on shortly thereafter. Listen here.

If you’re in New York, you should make every effort to see The xx at one of the following shows:

Fri, Aug 7 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge (w/ Free Energy & Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic)
Sat, Aug 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Bruar Falls (free!)
Mon, Aug 10 – Brooklyn, NY – Monkey Town (w/ Holly Miranda)
Wed, Aug 12 – New York, NY – Pianos
Thu, Aug 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg (w/ Friendly Fires)
Fri, Aug 14 – New York, NY – Seaport Music Festival (w/ School of Seven Bells)

And while you’re here, Pitchfork posted the video for “Basic Space” and it’s pretty rad. You should watch it.