In The News: Beck/Charlotte Gainsbourg, Nick Cave, Old 97’s, MGMT, Deerhoof And Free MP3s

IRM (Because Music/Elektra), the Beck-produced Charlotte Gainsbourg album, is out in January. Some music is available now, with the title track posted as a free download. The album’s first official single will be “Heaven Can Wait,” a Gainsbourg/Beck duet … Members of Chicago’s Scotland Yard Gospel Choir were involved in a van accident last month, with two bandmates still hospitalized. A benefit show featuring the rest of the group, plus Canasta and the Avondale Ramblers, will be held October 31 at Chicago’s Subterranean. If you can’t make the show, you can help with medical expenses and equipment replacement … In other benefit news, CASH Music, a nonprofit organization aiding artists and music organizations, is holding a raffle featuring music and swag from the likes of MGMT, Mission Of Burma, Deerhoof, Kristin Hersh and others … Nick Cave (pictured) is putting on a series of events in Europe to celebrate the publication of his new novel, The Death Of Bunny Munro. The shows will be a mix of reading and live music. If you can’t be there, you can partake in the fun by entering to win one of three (wow, three) free Bunny Munro T-shirts. Just send an email with your name, address and the subject line “Bunny T-Shirt.” Oh, and the shirts are size medium, so no fatties. Download “Bring It On” … In other singer/songwriter news, Eric Matthews’ new record, Too Much World, is available for preview at his MySpace page. Be forewarned: Each track on the player contains two song samples, meaning you’ll be hearing abridged versions of 10 of the tracks. Still, abridged Eric Matthews is worth a listen, so go do it. Now … Bloodshot is reissuing 1995 Old 97’s effort Wreck Your Life As Wreck Your Life…And Then Some: The Complete Bloodshot Recordings, a vinyl-only, limited-edition, double-LP in a gatefold jacket. Previously unavailable on wax, the collection includes seven-inch singles and compilation tracks from when frontman Rhett Miller was still a pretty boy, albeit an obscure one. The record also comes with a download card.