In this edition:

• Fucked Up's Ben Cook & Jonah Falco beef with Sonic Youth.
• Caribou announces follow up to 2007's Polaris-winning Andorra.
• Renowned music writer and musician Paul Quarrington passes away from cancer.
• The Carps to take a break from touring in 2010
• Jason Collett announces companion EP to his forthcoming album Rat A Tat Tat.
• k-os to tour with Drake in 2010
• Ohbijou and Stars featured on lullabye compilation alongside Sigur Ros, O+S, Telekinesis & more.

Timber Timbre - 'We'll Find Out'

Fucked Up Beef with Sonic Youth Escalates to New Heights...
Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon have fucked up big time, or at least in the eyes of Ben Cook and Jonah Falco. A feud has spawned from a VBS.tv interview at ATP (My Bloody Valentine - Dec. 2009) in which Fucked Up were referred to as "dudecore" by Sonic Youth - an insult that they've clearly taken to heart and have promptly responded to.

Fucked Up's Falco and Cook teamed up with Vice photographer Ben Rayner to create Cranking to Sonic Youth - a magazine/EP combo named after the act of "crying and wanking at the same time." Having already recorded a diss track aimed at Billy Talent ('The Line' - MP3), this isn't exactly new territory for the Polaris prize winners. Check out exclusive streams of 'Nerds at ATP' and 'Cranking to Sonic Youth' over at Vice.

What makes this scrap even more entertaining is the fact that both bands are signed to Matador Records, who must be loving the increased attention that the argument has garnered for both of their artists.

Caribou Prep Swim for April 20 Release
Dan Snaith (aka Caribou) will release his long anticipated follow up to 2007's Polaris-winning Andorra through Merge Records, promising a more upbeat and dancier effort than previous releases. Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians makes a guest appearance, as does a Toronto Free Jazz Quartet that Snaith met at ATP in England last year. Chartattack has the full tracklisting.

Dinosaur Bones - 'Ice Hotels'

Author Paul Quarrington Dies From Lung Cancer at 56
Toronto resident and renowned music writer Paul Quarrington passed away from advanced lung cancer on January 21, surrounded by friends and family in a peaceful and calming environment. Alongside songwriting partner Martin Worthy, Quarrington frequently collaborated on musical projects throughout the eighties and beyond. His rock'n'roll novel Whale Music (loosely based on the reclusive Brian Wilson) earned him the Governor General's Literary Award for English-language fiction in 1989 and was adapted for film in 1994. Paul's death comes just three days after folk singer/songwriter Kate McGarrigle lost her battle with clear cell sarcoma.

The Carps to Take a Break From Touring in 2010
The Carps top my list for most long overdue debut album, and it looks like I'm going to have to keep waiting throughout 2010. While the duo of Jahmal Tonge and Neil White are not breaking up, they won't be touring this year. With Jahmal keeping busy drumming for Thunderheist and Styrofoam Ones and Neil working on his PhD, what little time the pair have together will be dedicated solely to jamming and writing until they "get it right." Let's hope that happens sooner rather than later...

The Racoon Wedding - Interview on Side B

- Jason Collett recently announced that he'll be offering a companion EP to coincide with the March 9th release of his fourth studio album Rat A Tat Tat. The To Wit To Woo EP are leftovers from the recording sessions that produced Rat, with Collett splitting the tracks up into an LP and an EP based on what the songs decided. Chartattack has a very entertaining interview with Collett about the EP. You can download a free MP3 of a new song entitled 'Little Tiger' in exchange for your email and a few geographical details over at Jason's official site.

- k-os has announced via @koskhv that he will be embarking upon a US tour with fellow Canadian rapper Drake in the first half of 2010. Dates are still to be announced.

- Sing Me To Sleep is "a whimsical collection of lullabies and non-lullabies covered by some of ALR's favourite indie artists", with all album proceeds to be donated to the Valerie Fund. The compilation sees Canadian artists like Ohbijou and Stars alongside indie buzz bands like Telekinesis, Say Hi and O+S, as well as internationally renowned musicians Sigur Ros, amongst others. Though not officially released until May 18, the collection can be pre-ordered for $25 in advance through the label.

TWM presents - Jaw Sparrow Minilogues

On blogTO last week:
- I witnessed the live mayhem of Oh No Forest Fires for what they claim was their last show ever (though there were talks of a reunion before the farewell show was over).
- Jennifer profiled TTC busker and one-man-band Mel Harrietha.
- Roger checked out Tegan & Sara at Massey Hall, and was surprised to see fans of the twins get rough and rowdy.

Photo: "Keys" by stillsinflux, a member of the blogTO Flickr pool.