News Roundup: Jay Reatard, DFA, Definitive Jux, Bright Eyes, Jack White

Earlier last month, Memphis garage-rock pioneer Jay Reatard passed away at the age of 29. According to The Memphis Commerical Appeal, Reatard—born Jimmy Lindsey Jr.—was found dead in his home. The same paper revealed autopsy details today. Shelby County Medical Examiner Dr. Karen E. Chancellor stated that Reatard died from “cocaine toxicity,” and that “alcohol was a contributing factor in his death.”

Meanwhile, Tim Goldsworthy, who, along with James Murphy, founded DFA Records and has played a vital role in its growth and success, has reportedly split from the label, leaving New York for the UK. Label manager Jonathan Galkin told Resident Advisor that “Tim Goldsworthy moved away to somewhere in the United Kingdom, without informing anyone here at DFA. We have had no word from him since he left the United States. So we moved on with our lives and our business. Simple as that. He most definitely took a piece of us when he left, but we wish him the best with whatever he gets up to next.” Hostile split? Goldsworthy told Resident Advisor he left because of work and family obligations in the UK, and that he would be willing to do more work for the label “if something good came along.”

DFA isn’t the only US record label having a slightly chaotic week. Indie rap imprint Definitive Jux was at the epicenter of internet hype yesterday, when rumors that it would fold arose. Label boss and rapper/producer El-P has posted a statement clarifying the situation. “As a traditional record label, DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing,” he writes. He adds, in his statement, that the label is busy “re-imagining” its future. Its website and merch catalog will continue to exist in the meantime.

In brighter news, Jack White is still with us and going strong. Music’s busiest man promises a new album with his band The Dead Weather, a follow-up to last year’s Horehound. A Dead Weather tour is set to kick-off in mid-March, right around the time The White Stripes live film, Under Great White Northern Lights, gets release in box set form.

Midlake’s latest album, The Courage of Others, was released this week on Bella Union. The Guardian asked the band to perform the album as part of its Denton Sessions. You can download the set here.

Finally, Bright Eyes is back. Sort of. News in 2009 suggested that Conor Oberst and Co. will make one more album under their famed indie moniker. There are no album details yet, other than an unamed 2010 release date, but Saddle Creek is reissuing the Bright Eyes/Neva Dinova split, One Jug of Wine, Two Vessels, this March (pre-orders are available right now). Four new Bright Eyes tracks, written in fall 2009, will be included in the release.