After taking much of the past two years off, Depeche Mode are scheduled to reconvene in January and are planning to enter a studio to begin work on a follow-up to 2009’s ‘Sounds of the Universe’ in March, bandmember Andy Fletcher reveals in a recent Italian interview to promote one of his DJ gigs in that country.

They Might Be Giants recently recorded a new synthy version of the ‘Flood’ classic ‘Istanbul (Not Constantinople)’ for its recently released rarities set ‘Album Raises New and Troubling Questions,’ and now they’ve got a Speak & Spell-starring video to go along with it, too.

Morrissey returned to the American late-night airwaves tonight with an appearance on TBS’ ‘Conan,’ performing ‘People Are The Same Everywhere’ — one of a handful of new songs debuted live earlier this year — for the gangly red-headed host and his studio audience.

While it’s not uncommon to hear musicians name-checking Bjork, you don’t see The Sugarcubes bandied about much — which is why it’s nice to see this clip of indie-pop outfit The Drums performing that band’s 1987 single ‘Birthday’ during a recent on-air performance taped for Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

The Throwing Muses recently wrapped up a European tour support of their just-released ‘Anthology,’ and Bowlegs Music caught up with Kristin Hersh and Co. in Bexhill, England, prior to their gig there earlier this month for this performance of ‘Bright Yellow Gun’ off 1995’s ‘University.’

Paul Weller this morning announced he’ll release his 11th solo album — the 14-track ‘Sonik Kicks,’ featuring appearances by Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon — in March, and will preview the new collection with two pre-release London concerts at which he’ll perform the new album in its entirety.

Kate Bush this week premiered the first of three planned 2½-minute ‘animations’ created to promote her new album ’50 Words for Snow.’ The first clip is set to part of the 7-minute ‘Wild Man,’ and looks to be about a snowy expedition to find the Abominable Snowman.