Queen guitarist Brian May was so despondent after his bandmate and friend Freddie Mercury died in 1991 that he contemplated suicide. He revealed his dark thoughts in an interview with Spencer Bright of the Daily Mail (via BraveWords.com).

Mumbai 13 Sept: The Colour Compound @Blue Frog 15 Sept: Thursday Acoustic Night featuring Gaurav Jagwani + Guests, Sid & Arman, The Yellow Pages @Cool Chef Café

Remember Google’s crafty virtual Gibson Les Paul – the “Les Paul Doodle” – launched on Les Paul’s birthday to pay tribute to the pioneering guitar player and inventor? The computer-generated guitar let guitarists and even those with no playing experience fumble with a virtual guitar, making music like never before.

Caught on camera at the same place and at the same time, The Rolling Stones have caused quite a stir in the British press. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts were snapped leaving an office in London on Wednesday, September 7.

Times Music soon will be releasing Kshitij Tarey’s album Ae Dosheeza. Kshitij has previously rendered several memorable compositions including “Aye Khuda”, “Madno”, “Dhol Yaara Dhol” and “Tose Naina”. His album consists of seven romantic tracks composed by Gaurav Dagaonkar with soulful lyrics by Sayeed Quadri.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and talented composer Ranjit Barot will be a part of Abstract Logix’s jazz album The New Universe Music Festival 2010 which is releasing on 20 September.

Indian indie’s electro-rock messengers Shaa’ir + Func have announced a return to the live circuit with a four date mini-tour that kicks off tonight at Pune’s High Spirits pub. The duo – singer Monica Dogra (Shaa’ir) and multi-instrumentalist producer Randolph Correia (Func) – haven’t performed as Shaai’ir + Func for at least the last couple of months. They have been busy however, Correia with the release of Pentagram’s latest album Bloodywood and Dogra on collaborations with acts like the Midival Punditz and Bandish Projekt.

British industrial metal four-piece Cypher16 are virtually old-hands at touring India. They first hit Indian shores in 2009, playing to crowds in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune and Goa. They made it back in 2010 for the Great Indian Octoberfest in Bangalore, playing alongside Lacuna Coil and De Profundis. This year, they prove that they just can’t stay away from the adoration of Indian metal fans with the announcement of a third India tour this September that will see the band make stops in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

Last year, the organizers of the NH7 Weekender festival in Pune put on possibly the most epic music festival experience India had ever seen. Featuring first-ever performances in India from acts like Asian Dub Foundation and The Magic Numbers as well as at least 60 other acts, the festival was easily India’s biggest ever. This year, they’ve already announced debut India performances from award-winning acts Imogen Heap and Basement Jaxx. Happily, they’re not done yet.

Paul McCartney’s new orchestral album, Ocean’s Kingdom, is now available for pre-order. Commissioned by the New York City Ballet, the album marks Sir Paul’s first foray into the world of dance. The hour-long score is includes four movements – “Ocean’s Kingdom,” “Hall of Dance,” “Imprisonment” and “Moonrise” – that comprise the backdrop for a love story that takes place in an underwater world peopled by inhabitants who are threatened by land-based humans. McCartney says he was driven by his heart and was inspired by “feeling,” as opposed to specific technical knowledge, as he approached the project.