Longtime Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla issued a statement yesterday stating he's leaving the band after 17 years. "I think I long for the unknown. It might be that simple," he told The Stranger. It was an amiable split: "I will miss being a quarter of this band, and will support whatever course Death Cab for Cutie chooses from here," he wrote. "I am profoundly grateful to Ben, Nick, and Jason, for the experiences that define my adult life. Truly grateful, beyond words. Thank you." Death Cab for Cutie is set to release their eighth studio album, and the last with Chris Walla, in early 2015. (Pitchfork)

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O, preparing to release her solo debut on September 9, has announced a series of shows in small clubs as well as private listening parties in living rooms and apartments (to be held simultaneously at locations around the world on August 27) to promote the release. (Billboard)

After securing the initial funding for his high-end music streaming service Pono via one of the most successful Kickstarters ever, Neil Young is now selling shares in the new company via another crowdfunding platform, aptly titled Crowdfunder. A piece of pono can be yours for as little as the cost of 2,500 bottles of Two Buck Chuck. (Rolling Stone)

Meanwhile, Spotify is going to start selling merch. In a collaboration with BandPage, opportunities to buy artists' t-shirts and other collectibles will be put in front of some listeners while they enjoy the bands' tunes. Spotify says it's presenting the merch as a service to artists, and won't be taking any commissions or fees on merchandise sales. (Billboard)

On September 10, David Lynch's 2011 Duran Duran concert film will be screening at over 300 theaters—but for one night only. (Rolling Stone)

Joe Strummer's 1963 Thunderbird is now up for sale on eBay. (SPIN)

TWEEDY—the project by father-son duo Jeff and Spencer Tweedy—have announced a fall tour of venues in the U.S. and Europe, in support of their album ("like a solo album performed by a duo," says Jeff) being released September 16. Prior to TWEEDY's tour, Jeff's band Wilco will play a few U.S. shows. (Billboard)

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Following the sudden cancellation of London's Jabberwocky Festival, things are getting messy: ticket-holders seeking refunds don't know where their money went, or if they'll ever get it back. Festival organizer ATP (which stands, ironically, for All Tomorrow's Parties) says that sales agent Dash Tickets will be issuing refunds, but Dash Tickets says it's already paid the ticket money to ATP. (Consequence of Sound)

A "rough-and-tumble Replacements homage" is just one of several solo records Ryan Adams has recorded but will probably never release. Another is a prior version of his forthcoming self-titled LP that Adams spent $100,000 on before judging it to be "slow, adult s--t." (Consequence of Sound) Adams will play Northrop on October 13.

Robyn and Röyskopp have released an epic, kaleidoscopic sci-fi video for their song "Monuments." Director Max Vitali used a wire-based camera to capture the video's weightless feeling.

Celine Dion is putting her career completely on hold, canceling all upcoming shows due to her husband René Angélil's battle with cancer. Angélil, 72, began his musical career as a pop singer in Montreal in the 1960s; he began managing Dion, 46, in the 80s and the two married in 1994. (Billboard)

The Highball, an Austin, Texas "karaoke mecca," has reopened after an 18-month redesign, and it's spectacular; its rooms include tributes to Super Mario Bros., Twin Peaks, and glam rock. Check out the photos at Spin.

Singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur has penned a new tribute song to Robin Williams, "Robin." (Stereogum)