Laurie Anderson recently spoke with Billboard magazine about her forthcoming Nonesuch release, Homeland. "Co-produced by Lou Reed," says Billboard, "the album is defined by Anderson's provocative politics and technological innovations." She discusses the making of the album, her writing process, the Indaba Music remix contest for the track "Only an Expert," her alter ego Fenway Bergamot, and her upcoming role in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

Björk is the recipient of the 2010 Polar Music Prize. "With her deeply personal music and lyrics, her precise arrangements and her unique voice," the award citation reads, "Björk has already made an indelible mark on pop music and modern culture at large, despite her relative youth." Also honored is Ennio Morricone. The prize will be awarded by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a televised gala ceremony in Stockholm on August 30.

The Kennedy Center celebrates John Adams ... Laurie Anderson, John Zorn improvise in Lublin ... The Black Keys play free show in NYC ... Carolina Chocolate Drops play close to home ... Bill Frisell concludes Village Vanguard residency ... Kronos Quartet's in Copenhagen ... Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman close out duo tour ... Natalie Merchant tours Germany ... Pat Metheny's Orchestrion US tour hits final week ... Randy Newman, in Europe, featured on BBC Scotland ... Allen Toussaint performs at New Orleans Gulf Aid benefit ... Dawn Upshaw makes Edmonton Symphony debut ... and more ...

Punch Brothers had already been planning a full spring and summer tour across the US, in support of their forthcoming album, Antifogmatic, including a supporting slot with Josh Ritter in Boston next week and sets at the Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass, Caramoor, and Newport Folk festivals. Now comes word that the band will open for comedian, actor, author, and Grammy-winning banjo player Steve Martin for several dates in June, July, and August.

Congratulations to Thomas Newman, winner of the 2010 Classical BRIT Award for Soundtrack of the Year for his score to the film Revolutionary Road. Newman was in attendance to receive the award at the ceremony at Royal Albert Hall in London.

Brothers, The Black Keys' latest Nonesuch release, is out now. Entertainment Weekly cites the "real songwriting, and real hooks, beneath all that mondo riffage" of their blues-rock sound. Time Out Chicago gives the album a perfect five stars: "It’s a sonic wonderland." Consequences of Sound says "Brothers is what we want out of rock music: brilliance and individuality." MusicOMH calls it "the best album yet in their already impressive catalogue." A preview of the official "Tighten Up" video, which premieres release day, is now on YouTube.

In the four weeks since word went out that Laurie Anderson was in search of a collaborator to remix "Only an Expert," off her forthcoming Nonesuch album, Homeland, via online music creation hub Indaba Music, remix artists have offered submissions in styles across the spectrum. Today is the last day to enter at indabamusic.com/remixla; submissions are due by 5 PM ET. That's when the work switches hands, and fans and judges vote for their favorites.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops have been nominated for the Americana Music Award for Duo or Group of the Year, the Americana Music Association announced today. The award show will be held in Nashville's Ryman Auditorium September 9. The band's Nonesuch debut, Genuine Negro Jig, is due out on vinyl June 29 and is now up for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store.

Timothy Andres makes his Nonesuch debut with the release of Shy and Mighty on Tuesday, May 18, one day after he performs the piece at New York's (Le) Poisson Rouge. The New Haven Advocate says Andres's "indulgence of pianistic virtuosity ... and his undogmatic embrace of varied musical styles are lively and fully committed" on Shy and Mighty. "Andres’ most interesting achievement" may be its "incredible listenability."

Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman's duo tour of Europe continues with music from their respective solo work and from Mehldau's recent release, Highway Rider, on which Redman performs. All About Jazz calls the album a "showcase of Mehldau's growth as both a composer and musician ... one of those rare and potent reminders that jazz not only thrives but continues to evolve in the hands of truly creative artists."

The word is out: The Black Keys tune "Chop and Change" will be featured on the soundtrack for what will undoubtedly be one of this summer's biggest films, Eclipse, the latest in the Twilight saga starring Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner. The album's track listing is being revealed at MySpace one artist at a time, every half hour today until all 15 tracks are revealed.

John Adams led a rare performance of Louis Andriessen's De Staat in Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall on Monday. The New York Times says "it was a thrill to hear the adventurous players of Ensemble ACJW perform" the piece, calling Adams "an inspired advocate" for Andriessen. The Philadelphia Inquirer writes, after the previous day's performance in Philadelphia, that what is "so astonishing" about De Staat after almost 35 years, "is that it seems ... so completely up to date."