Everything Gossip’s Nathan Howdeshell (a.k.a. Brace Paine) says is charming. It’s not necessarily the content of his words, but that it’s all tinged with an appealing drawl, the result of his Arkansas upbringing. So it’s sweet when he says that “fuck” is his favorite curse word, or when he tells me that if he could he would eat at McDonalds every day. And it’s even sweeter when he divulges his affinity for smoking pot after a long day because, well, yeah. Nathan and his band swing through New York tonight when they take the stage for the first time at Terminal 5 with openers MEN and Apache Beat. But first, he spoke with me about his online ventures, tonight’s show, and what he has planned for the end of the world.

Islands, Vapours (Anti-) - Once a schizophrenic, overstuffed Montreal outfit full of potential, Islands have finally learned to edit. The result: an infectious and weird third album that was worth the wait. Lead singer Nick Thorburn, more commonly known by his stage name Nick Diamonds, and his crew have stripped away the orchestral layers and theatrical pomp that turned the band’s sophomore album, Arm’s Way, into a bloated, highfalutin’ rock opera. What’s left is masterful, refreshing synth-pop, served up pure and simple. Snappy drums drive the album’s first single “No You Don’t,” while Thorburn’s charming, spot on lyrics come through loud and clear -- “Don’t buy dope from the man you don’t know.” What he said. --Alexandra Vickers

October 1 - In a few months, when people start calling the W Barcelona (opening today) “the WB,” remember you heard it here first.

October 3 - You’d have to be a real sick fuck to enjoy Virus Appreciation Day.

October 4 - The New York Film Festival reaches its halfway mark. In an effort to compete with Cannes, Water Taxi Beach goes topless.

Scarlett Johansson
Anywhere I Lay My Head (ATCO)

We know what you are thinking: Don Johnson, Heartbeat. But you are wrong, oh, so wrong. Scarlett Johansson’s first album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, is one of the happiest surprises in years. On this inspired collection of Tom Waits covers, Johansson’s famously oak-smoked voice is a natural cousin of the Roches, John Cale, and Sinead O’Connor. David Bowie, who sings backup on two tracks—“Falling Down” and “Fannin Street”—adds splashes of cream to this perfect cup of hot, dark New Orleans coffee. —Alison Powell