The biggest record deal in history has been agreed between Michael Jackson’s estate and Sony Music. The deal, reportedly worth over $200m involves 10 album projects with one of them including previously unreleased material. Sales of Jackson’s music have soared with Sony claiming they have sold around 31 million copies of his albums since his death in June. Amidst leaving behind dozens of new songs Jackson also left behind huge debts, which his estate hopes the deal will help pay off. [BBC]

Gorillaz might be headed for ‘the dip’ as Reggae musician Eddy Grant claims their recent single “Stylo” copies one of his songs. Grant is seeking legal advice in the matter and says there are major similarities between his 1983 song “Time Warp” and “Stylo.” Both Grant and Gorillaz are under the same publishing company, EMI. [NME]

And the new She & Him album entitled Volume 2 is currently streaming in its entirety on NPR. This is the second album from Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward and first since 2008’s debut Volume 1. The album comes out March 23 and the band will be coming to Canada in June to Play Toronto, their only Canadian stop. [NPR]

To conclude the second last night of Canadian Music Fest, the winners of the Indie Awards were announced at The Fairmount Royal York Hotel in Toronto. On the international circuit, The xx won favourite artist of the year while Phoneix won favourite single of the year for “1901.”

All other winners included:

Favourite Pop artist/group – Danny Fernandez

Favourite live artist – Arkells

Favourite electronic artist – Peaches

Favourite Folk artists/group – Great Lake Swimmers

Galaxie Rising Stars – The Rural Alberta Advantage

Favourite Group/Duo of the year – Constantines

Favourite Rock artist/group of the year – Die Mannequin

Favourite Punk/Hardcore artist/group of the year – Fucked Up

Favourite Metal artist/group of the year – Voivod

Favourite Solo artist of the year – Joel Plaskett

Favourite Video of the year – “Cross My Heart” by Marianas Trench

On Friday night, Vampire Weekend performed the track “Holiday” off their album Contra, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The band is currently on tour out west playing two sold out shows in Edmonton and Calgary before heading back down south for a short jaunt and then heading back north at the end of the month to play Toronto’s Sound Academy. The event is sold out as well, however you might be able to catch band member Chris Baio the following night performing a DJ set at Wrongbar.

Still Life Still, 3:00 AM at a loft in Toronto’s far west end. Something about this moment felt like the set of a music video, except there were no cameras (save for one) and the kids dancing on stage were presumably under the influence, rather than just pretending to be. A beautifully uninhibited moment during an otherwise carefully staged Canadian Music Week.

Not long ago, we published our guide to the do’s and don’ts of band t-shirts.  There’s an event that is taking band t-shirt competition to the next level.  The Great Canadian T-Shirt Battle is looking for bands to compete to win 200 free custom band t-shirts.  Hosted by Me to We Style, a Toronto based apparel company, the t-shirts are all organic cotton and 50% of profits will go to Free the Children. Three finalist will be selected to perform at the Hideout in downtown Toronto on March 25 in front of a panel of judges including John Davies (A&R at Sony Music Canada), Josie Dye from 102.1 and Joel Carriere of Dine Alone Records.  For more details on how to enter, visit the Me To We website.

Hurt – Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)

Although Reznor’s song sung by himself is good and amazing to hear live, Johnny Cash’s mature/knocking of heaven’s door voice makes it a little more powerful.

Sea of Love – Cat Power (Phil Phillips)

Chan and her autoharp are immaculate for this sweet love song that is perfect for the first dance at a wedding or welcoming a new born into existence a la Juno.

Cha Cha Twist – The Detroit Cobras (Brice Coefield)

Garage rock cover band the Detroit Cobras put a dirty in-your-face take on vintage R&B and Rock & Roll and do the same with this 1960s track.

California Sun – Ramones (Joe Jones)

Featured on their second album, Leave Home, this cover is everything you’d expect from a Ramones song. It’s fast, loud and Joey sounds amazing.

Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)

Probably a song that at one point some people, the kiddies, didn’t know was actually a cover. A beautiful take and something Jeff Buckley will always be remembered for.

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor (Prince)

Originally written by Prince for The Family, Sinead’s recording in 1990 catapulted the song as well as launched her career.

Like I Love You – Bell X1 (Justin Timberlake)

Like many of the other covers on this list, Bell X1 completely re-appropriated the song and transported it into a different genre. Their vision of Justin Timberlake’s top 40 hit is pensive, mysterious and lasting in a way that that injects new meaning into the lyrics. Their inclusion of the original pre-singing banter makes this an extraordinary cover.

Man Who Sold the World – Nirvana (David Bowie)

Performed at Unplugged in New York in 1993 where several other artists were covered by Nirvana, this Bowie song has become synonymous with Nirvana and the fact Kurt didn’t screw it up.

Such Great Heights – Iron and Wine (the Postal Service)

Listening to the original feels strange without watching some crappy cell phone or car advertisement. This cover was featured on Garden State’s soundtrack which obviously makes it good. In all seriousness, this version is sweet and dreamy.

Whiskey In The Jar – Thin Lizzy (Seamus Ennis)

A traditional Irish ballad that some historians suggest originated in the 17th century, Thin Lizzy released the song in 1972, but felt it didn’t represent their sound or their image. Regardless, the song topped the charts and earned them a spot on top of the pops in 1973.

Holy Fuck are set to release their forthcoming album Latin, on May 11. The dance-rock band now have four core members consisting of Brian Borcherdt, Graham Walsh, Matt McQuaid and Matt Schulz. This album follows 2007’s LP. [Pitchfork]

Over 160 arrest were made at a Metallica concert in Bogota, Columbia last week as ticketless fans tried to barge into the sold out venue. The band was performing in the country for the first time in 11 years. A few months ago, a similar riot broke out in Chile. According to Bogota media, rioters trashed windows, street signs and dismantled a wall to use the bricks as ammunition against police. [Spin]

Lil Wayne has been instructed not to sign any autographs for other inmates while in jail. Officials have instructed the rapper not to publicize his celebrity status while in the slammer. It has also been reported that Wayne has not been given any special treatment. [Ace Showbiz]

Tonight is the last real night of CMW and you don’t want to mess it up by spending half your time in a line (speaking from experience). Here’s a list of some great shows to bet on tonight that hopefully won’t leave you standing outside screaming at the bouncer because your wristband isn’t getting you anywhere.

7:30PM – Joel Plaskett – Mod Club

8:00PM – Postdata – Rivoli

8:30PM – Yukon Blonde – Horseshoe Tavern

9:00PM – Hellsongs – Painted Lady

9:00PM (Doors) show most likely not till after midnight – A-Track – Sound Academy

10:30PM – Rich Aucoin – Rivoli

12:00AM – Maylee and Pegwee Power!! – Bread And Circus

11:00PM-4:00AM – Secret Party – Secret Location – Follow @auxtv on twitter and you might see a clue tonight.

Phantogram are a duo out of New York state that mix drifting reverberated vocals, dreamy synth and simple guitar rifts to create a decidedly shoegaze sound. As part of CMW, they played a late set at the Supermarket in the Kensington Market neighborhood of Toronto, which doubles as our AUX Weekly studio. It was at tough night of competition for crowds as most CMW revelers were either at Lee’s Palace to catch Plants And Animals or at the not secret Woodhands show at Wrongbar. Supermarket was a safer more low key bet for the evening and Phantogram did not disappoint.

Cadence Weapon was one of the most engaging performances that CMW had to offer this year.  When we spoke to him in Vancouver during the Olympics, Roland told us about what we can expect from his new album, out in September. He described it as “An existentialist new wave rap album” influenced by Elvis Costello and Lou Reed.  With a full band, including one half of DVAS, (Jered Stuffco) on synth, Cadence destroyed the crowd at The Garrison with new hardcore influenced dance/rap/existential tracks jumping into the crowd  to scream in our faces on several occasions. I couldn’t help but think how incredible it would be if Roland took this direction and ran with it – Cadence Weapon fronting a hardcore band. Maybe for the next album.  It was an interesting evening, one spent earlier with Neon Indian, who brought Cadence Weapon up in conversation (along with fellow Edmonton natives Shout out out out out) as artists they’re digging right now. Cadence’s show was slotted directly against Neon Indian, prompting Roland to thank the crowd for choosing him over the former.  Not a single body in the house looked disappointed with their decision.