Portland, Oregon, trio Gossip—singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Nathan Howdeshell, and drummer Hannah Blilie—are celebrating the release of their fifth album, the remarkably bangin' A Joyful Noise, tonight at Terminal 5. We wrangled some time with the magnificent Ms. Ditto to talk about the odious glamorization of poverty, ABBA's perfection, and the importance of proper undergarments in the presence of your mother.

More >>

When The Gossip burst into the public consciousness about a decade ago, they specialized in a frizzled version of the blues, with lead singer Beth Ditto working herself into a clothesless frenzy while her bandmates created a joyous squall behind her. More than 10 years later, their style has shifted—their beat-heavy fifth album A Joyful Noise (Columbia), which comes out tomorrow, was produced by the British pop mastermind Bryan Higgins, who's also worked with glossy acts like the Sugababes, Girls Aloud, and Kylie Minogue. But Ditto's charisma continues to steer the ship, and tomorrow at Terminal 5 one SOTC reader will have a chance to see it in person—we're giving away a pair of tickets to the Gossip's gig at the cavernous Midtown venue. Details on how to win, and the video for "Perfect World," below.

More >>

In Waste Of Paint, our writer/artist team of Jamie Peck and Debbie Allen will review goings-on about town in words and images.

Debbie and I arrived at Fashion's Night Out like lambs to the slaughter. Never having attended before, we had no idea what kinds of mewling, puking throngs would fill the streets with tangles of flesh, like some kind of underfed Boschian nightmare. But amid it all, there were some enticing musical performances on the offering, so we went. Oh, how we went.

More >>

Lee Broomfield

Beth Ditto is such an unlikely star that even Taylor Swift would spring an "Imma let you finish" on her. Her mutant soul-punk trio Gossip is the only riot-grrrl band to have a top 10 hit (2006's Bush-deposing "Standing in the Way of Control") and become aptly named considering her frequent appearances in UK press, sometimes with Kate Moss and sometimes unclothed. But that doesn't mean rock's premiere plus-size designer and improbable sex symbol is any less shy--laying down vocals is so "terrifyingly intimate," she needs liquor. There will be plenty of that tonight, when the Gossip headline Terminal 5.

More >>

That sound you hear -- Beth Ditto dismissing Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" as a "boner dyke anthem" -- would seem to indicate that a new Gossip record is imminent. Verily, Music for Men (produced by Rick Rubin!) is out Tuesday, and streaming at Spinner.com at this very moment: At first blush it's a bit smoother and shinier than you're/they're used to, but Beth's still a knockout, and you might not even notice the synths. (Thanks to Jessica Hopper.)