It’s slow at work, there’s nothing going on on the internet… I don’t know what to do with myself today.

Of course, dominating the news (and rightly so) are the disaster relief efforts that are ongoing (and which will be going on for a long while) in Haiti.  Google has a great list of reputable charities which you can donate to, including UNICEF, the Red Cross, and Doctors Without Borders.  Here in Chicago, the Hideout will have a benefit show on Monday at 8:00 pm, featuring the Waco Brothers and Eleventh Dream Day, with more bands to be announced.  Tickets are $20 and all proceeds go to Partners in Health.

On a much lighter note, CHIRP, the Chicago Independent Radio Project, is almost ready to launch its internet radio station.  The station officially launches on January 17th, although a beta testing stream has been available this week, and let me tell you, I’m impressed.  In the interest of full disclosure, I’m looking forward to beginning to volunteer with CHIRP in the near future, and I know people involved with the project, so I’m hoping it does well.  (Added bonus: me volunteering at CHIRP means I’m only in danger of bringing home new music.  Me volunteering at an animal shelter means I’m more likely to bring home a puppy.)  A launch party goes down at the Empty  Bottle on Saturday at 10, featuring the Yolks, Hollows, and Rabble Rabble, with all proceeds going to CHIRP.

Consequence of Sound talks with Ashley Capps, the co-founder of Bonnaroo, AKA the festival I would love to go to except for the fact that I hate camping and being outside all day.

Brooklyn Vegan has the upcoming schedule for IFC’s Dinner with the Band series, AKA the television show I don’t get to watch because I don’t get IFC.  Guests on the upcoming season include My Brightest Diamond, The Mountain Goats, and Rufus Wainwright.

The xx sit down and talk with Pitchfork about some of their favorite things. 

You Ain’t No Picasso has 50 cover songs performed by My Morning Jacket.

Dawn Landes premieres her video for “Young Girl” on Stereogum.  Her new album, Sweet Heart Rodeo, comes out on January 19th.  You can catch her in Chicago at the Beat Kitchen on February 9th.

For the audiophiles amongst you, songs:illinois has a review of the Little Horn Speakers by Specimen Products.  You may be familiar with the horn speakers because Andrew Bird always surrounds himself with them.  If I ever happen to have a large sum of money fall into my lap, these are on the To Buy Immediately list.  Not necessarily because of the Bird connection, but because they are both beautiful and incredibly high quality products.

Related posts:

1. News & Links – January 27
2. News & Links – January 12
3. News & Links – January 8