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We will forever worship Jesse McCartney for his hand in co-writing Leona Lewis' smash hit, "Bleeding Love." But these days, the actor-slash-pop star would rather talk about his latest project: Departure. Find out which song Jesse describes as "the icing on the cake," hear why 3am recording seshes are the absolute bestest and learn how Mr. McCartney managed to survive on a steady diet of Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna for the better part of a year.

Tags Jesse McCartney, Leona Lewis, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince

The Raveonettes are born rock stars. With their towering Nordic silhouettes, chiseled cheekbones, disinterested, glassy eyes and all-around effortless cool, they certainly look the part. Nevermind that their signature fuzzy chug-a-lug guitar assaults and heavenly vocals combine the best of Buddy Holly, Suicide and Sonic Youth to flood your helpless head with adrenaline. Instant endorphin overload.

Now, the band that sounds like an endlessly engine-revving anime motorcycle gang, teeth bared in hot pursuit, is in the midst of a mini-tour that wraps up this Friday and Saturday on the West Coast. They've also got a remix record up for free download over at VICE Records! Pick it up, catch 'em in Cali (deets below), check the interview they did over at Elle.com the other day and ask yourself ... WHERE? HAVE? I? BEEN? Rave on!

1.23.09 San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's 365 Club
1.24.09 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater

Tags Buddy Holly, Sonic Youth, Suicide, The Raveonettes

+ When Katy Perry goes dateless for a year, it's called celibacy. For the rest of us, it's just called sad. Either way, KP has vowed to spend the next 365 or so days with her cat. (Usmagazine.com)

+ Meanwhile, Lily Allen spent three weeks in the "nuthouse" in early 2008 ... and she liked it! (Daily Telegraph - UK)

+ And speaking of Lily, we gotta give her props for her story-telling skills. Word to the wise: Next time there's a lull in the conversation, just toss in a fun facilitator like "I did once snog these identical twins in San Diego." Works every time! (Scandalist)

+ Miley Cyrus has issued a corporate America-ish PSA claiming she has nothing but love for Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, the Jonases and, presumably, everyone else on Team Disney. (MTV News)

+ What do 50 Cent and JLo have in common? It's all about the badonkadonk, baby. (Remote Control)

+ American Idol recap! Simon Cowell pretends to hate the new judge, Kara DioGuardi while Randy Jackson pretends to referee. (E! Online)

+ Jay-Z's been working on his latest album, Blueprint 3, forevs! Which is weird, since he sez he could've made "a great piece of art" in under three weeks. (MTV News)

+ Casting call! Who better to play a vampire in New Moon than the disconcertingly mature-for-her-age child star, Dakota Fanning? (MTV Movies)

Tags 50 Cent, American Idol, Blue Moon, Dakota Fanning, Demi Lovato, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, JLo, Kara DioGuardi, Katy Perry, Lily Allen, Miley Cyrus, Randy Jackson, Selena Gomez, Simon Cowell, Twilight

Not since Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie first came onto the scene as the quintessential besties, have we been *this* excited about a potential BFF pairing. The dual reign of teen queens Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift? It's ON.

They've both got hit albums, they're both showstoppingly gorge, and they've both (maybe?) shared the warm embrace of a JoBro -- obvs, a match made in heaven. Tay Tay and Dem were spotted earlier this week at an L.A. Kings Hockey game, and judging by the smiles on their faces, we're hoping they've already exchanged best friends forever necklaces.

Here's why:

5. The Brothers Jonai: OMJ, is there anything that can bring two people together quicker than a Jonas Brother run in? We think no. Even though Demi claims that she is just friends with Joe Jonas (all Camp Rock romances aside), and even though Taylor claims she's totally over her cell phone Joe Jonas break-up, should the two need to console each other over any matters Jonai ... they could.

Tags Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Taylor Swift

We know, we know, we're the ones who told you Hey Monday's leading lady looks and sounds a bit like Paramore's Hayley Williams. But guess what: she could do a lot worse. Yes, singer Cassadee Pope has similar highlights -- and high notes -- to the "Misery Business" singer, but the 19-year-old (who's also been called Avril-y by some) has more important things to deal with than whether or not she kinda, sorta reminds you of someone else.

Like, for instance, the fact that her emo-punk band -- which includes bassist Jersey Moriarty, drummer Elliot James and guitar heroes Mike Gentile and Alex Lipshaw -- is about to wrap up their tour with Cash Cash and We The Kings ... and head out on the road with Fall Out Boy, Metro Station and All Time Low (!!!!). And that her boss is basically Pete Wentz.

So quit with the comparisons (again, totally admit to being hypocritical here...) and just appreciate Hey Monday's latest -- the a poptastic smash that is "Homecoming" -- in its own right. Oh, and consider this: Maybe Hayley Williams just sounds like her.

+ Bonus: Hey Monday has their own Tumblr! Let the cyber-stalking begin!

Tags All Time Low, Cash Cash, Cassadee Pope, Fall Out Boy, Hayley Williams, Hey Monday, Metro Station, Paramore, Pete Wentz, We the Kings

Today in cuteness news, Williamsburg, NY super couple Matt & Kim are celebrating the release of their brand-new second album, Grand. The bf/gf duo have quickly become mascots for their creative-hotbed neighborhood, seducing legions of fans with irresistibly dance-crazy party anthems and their aforementioned amazing cuteness.

Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino, who met at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute (an art school... cute!), took the name of their album from Grand Street, one of their neighborhood's main thoroughfares, because... man, they just LOVE Williamsburg. And each other. Awww. Anyway, the first single is called "Daybreak," and the video finds the couple in all kinds of adorable predicaments, such as being caught in the rain, getting jammed into suitcases and refrigerators, reading kids' books about taxis in bed and swinging across the screen on vines. Oh, and the song? Nothing is catchier. Nothing is cuter. Be prepared to say things like "teehehehe" and hold your hands to your blushing cheeks as you watch Matt & Kim's "Daylight" video. Then brace yourself for more cuteness as you watch Matt & Kim (basically...) discuss how cute of a couple they are.

+ Listen to Grand on Rhapsody!

Tags Matt And Kim

You probably know Natasha Bedingfield as the bubbly Brit behind "Unwritten." But as we've already told you, she's not always about chick empowerment and "liv[ing] your life with arms open." Turns out, when Natasha's not out encouraging Hills gals to feel the rain on their skin (or whatever), she's busy questioning the very meaning of life -- and trying to make sense of a world where most of us can only dream of happy endings.

Check out "Soulmate," the gritty new single off Natasha's (deceptively cheery-sounding) album, Pocket Full Of Sunshine, and hear the universal call of loneliness. Oh, and know this: if you can't identify with the sadsy, angst-ridden lyrics ("somebody tell me why I'm on my own / when there's a soulmate for everyone"), chances are we already hate you.

Tags Natasha Bedingfield

BEST. FIRST NIGHT. IN THE WHITE HOUSE. EVAR!

While their parents were dancing the night away at a billion different inaugural balls, First Girls Sasha and Malia Obama got the BEST-EVER surprise of their life during their first night in the White House... no... not Domino's Pizza... the OTHER best-ever surprise... The Jonas Brothers! The ACTUAL Jonas Brothers, who surprised the Obama girls at the end of a White House scavenger hunt that Moms Michelle Obama orchestrated to help them get used to their new home. (Is there NOTHING that woman can't do?)

At the end of the hunt, Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas were hiding in the East Room. According to People magazine, Mama Denise and Kevin Senior were there too, and the Jonases played three acoustic songs and posed for photos with the girls and their friends.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go BEG my dad to run for president.

+ Plus: Are you Pro-Bama or No-Bama?

Tags Barack Obama, Jonas Brothers

Hot Topic's new Tokio Hotel logo shirt's cool and all, but I got in touch with Matthew at the Names Brand -- he's the guy responsible for those Barack and Jonas Brothers tees -- and he whipped up a couple different styles of Tokio Hotel Names Brand tees. The Tokio Hotel t-shirt above is the cranberry glitter version, it's just $25, and it's the most grosses kino thing I've seen all day!

As you can see, the guys' names are listed as "Bill & Tom & Georg & Gustav," so if you don't like the order, you'll just have to deal, okay? Deal.

Tags Style, Tokio Hotel

Yo, 1983! Welcome back! Again! We've been busting out our moustache combs and scratching at our leg warmers all day over here, listening to this airy New Order-meets-Hall & Oates jam, "Big Bills." The instant new-wave-yacht-rock classic is the latest from underground Chicago DJ duo Flosstradamus, with enchanting girly vocals courtesy of fellow '80s revivalist, Caroline Polachek of Chairlift (who you may remember from the dreamiest iPod commercial ever). And if Flosstradamus sounds familiar, it's probably because half of the DJ team, Josh 'J2K' Young, is Kid Sister's big brother!

Finally, maybe it's just the video's Lost In Translation-esque muted colors, breathy vocals and sleepy blur, but is anybody else picking up on a major Sofia Coppola vibe here? Not only is this new Flosstradamus clip overloaded with that moody Virgin Suicides ennui, but Caroline Polachek (good thing someone found a use for her!) is also a dead-ringer for the it-girl director. Doncha think?! Yeah you do.

Tags Chairlift, Flosstradamus, Hall & Oates, Kid Sister, New-Order