Neko Case Raffles Off Vintage Car
Neko Case is giving away the 1967 Mercury Cougar that she posed on top of in the artwork for her 2009 album Middle Cyclone in a raffle to benefit 826 National, an organization that offers tutoring and writing workshops for students in eight major cities throughout the United States. Other prizes in the drawing will include a guitar autographed by Elton John and Elvis Costello, a drum head signed by the New Pornographers and an assortment of vinyl LPs from Sub Pop Records. [826 National]

Michael Stipe Nearly Died in Teenage Camping Trip
R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe told the New York Post that he came close to dying at the age of 14 during a Boy Scouts camping trip. Stipe says that the trauma of the incident, which involved the first two stages of hypothermia and hallucinations, has resulted in a form of agoraphobia that he has been grappling with for his entire adult life. [Popeater]

Grizzly Bear Contribute Songs to 'Blue Valentine' Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Blue Valentine, the indie drama starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, will include several exclusive instrumental versions of songs by Grizzly Bear. The disk also features a track performed by Gosling as well as a collaboration between Grizzly Bear and members of Beirut and Dirty Projectors. [Pitchfork]

Sony Music Shuts Down CD Plant
As CD sales continue to plummet, Sony Music is closing down a CD manufacturing plant in Pitman, New Jersey. A Sony spokesperson told CNET that the decision was made to reduce costs in order to remain competitive in the market. The plant employed around 300 workers. [CNET]

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