Eddie Vedder has penned the forward to a new Pete Townshend biography, Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend. Author Mark Wilkerson spent ten years researching and writing the 642-page book, conducting exclusive interviews with Townshend and several others, including Townshend’s friends, family and former associates. Wilkerson’s book begins with Townshend’s childhood in West London and follows the guitarist through The Who’s highs and lows. Published by Omnibus Press, the book includes dozens of photographs and was edited by noted Who scholar and author Andy Neill.

Vedder is a longtime Who fan and often covers Townshend’s songs with Pearl Jam. Earlier this year, Pearl Jam was one of several artists selected to honor The Who at the VH1 Rock Honors.

To read Townshend’s thoughts on another band inspired by The Who’s seminal sound, The Clash, check out the November '08 issue of Relix magazine , on newsstands now.

On October 14 Swedish pop band I’m From Barcelona released its second album, Who Killed Harry Houdini? The colorful group consists of Emanuel Lundgren backed by a twenty-plus person ensemble. At times tongue and cheek, but always eccentric, the album’s lyrics are alternative fun (“Paper Planes”) and sarcastic (“Brittney,” a song about Brittney Spears).

In celebration of their album release, I’m From Barcelona is holding a contest for the best remix for “Music Killed Me,” a track on Who Killed Harry Houdini? The winning track will be featured on the band’s MySpace page and the winner will receive tickets to upcoming I’m From Barcelona concerts. For more details on the contest please visit www.myspace.com/imfrombarcelona

Blues singer Susan Tedeschi will release her next album, Back to the River, on October 28. In addition to Tedeschi's solo band, Back to the River will feature appearances by her husband Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II, a guitarist who is also thought to be “a legend-in-the-making.”

Tedeschi is currently on tour promoting her new album and raising support for Barack Obama. She recently performed with Trucks and the other members of the Allman Brothers Band at a high-profile Obama benefit in State College, PA. Likewise, she recently stood her own next to Trucks and Warren Haynes at Morrison, CO’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, when she sat in on both “I Ain't Superstitious” and “Don’t Think Twice.” Her next solo tour is scheduled to kick off at Virginia Beach, VA’s Sandler Center For The Performing Arts on November 6.

Sonya Kitchell is currently in the midst of a tour with The Slip in support of her new studio album, This Storm. But this fall the 19-year-old will shift her focus from music to photography, displaying her work at Gallery 137 outside her Northampton, MA hometown. The singer/songwriter’s father, Peter Kitchell, is also a noted artist, who will display his  photo collages at the gallery alongside his daughter’s work.

“The lens is a way in which I strive to share the wonders I see every day in a life both fast and colorful,” Sonya Kitchell said in a statement. “As a musician, first and foremost, my vantage point is often one of stolen moments and backlit stillness.”

Sonya and Peter Kitchell’s work will be on display at Gallery 137 now through November 22. They will host an artists’ reception at the Gallery on November 7.

Kitchell’s latest album, This Storm, is available now. She will perform songs from the album with The Slip at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern this evening.