Weekend reading: Michael Jackson, Spike Jonze, Flaming Lips

Is it just me, or have a lot of musicians been popping up in the movies these days?

There's Kanye West starring in a Spike Jonze short film. Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs recorded the “Where the Wild Things Are” soundtrack. And then of course there's Michael Jackson's new concert movie (which, granted, isn't really a concert movie, so much as it's a rehearsal video, but still.)

Oh well. I'm not complaining. It makes for good articles and interviews, as you can see:

Karen O never bit anyone, but she slapped a lot of butts. (New York)

Spike Jonze told Kanye West he needed to be "shameless" and "pathetic." (New York Times)

Michael Jackson has a movie coming out, perhaps you've heard. (Associated Press, Time, Roger Ebert)

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne describes the writing process on their new album this way: “We'd just be kind of jamming, thinking, ‘I don't really have an idea.' ” Which explains a lot. (Pitchfork)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is 25 years old, so it will probably stop listening to new music pretty soon, start thinking about settling down, having a couple of kids. Going out, it's just getting a bit old. I mean, really, who wants to deal with the crowds at shows anymore? And have you seen beer prices? (Los Angeles Times)