Got a music itch you need to scratch? Then use these links for all the latest music news, releases, blogs and MP3 downloads.

So...you're in the middle of your show, stuck for what to play OR you just heard a great track and want to get it for yourself, then try these MP3 sites...

Epitonic - great for unusual, avant-garde music (plus the normal stuff as well). All free and legal with great bios too - hasn't been updated in a while, but is being relaunched soon.

Elbo.ws - search for an artist and elbo.ws will find all the blogs containing info and MP3 for that artist. Also has top three most searched for and most uploaded so you can see what everyone else is getting excited about.

The Hype Machine - similar to elbo.ws but is specifically for MP3 - really easy to use. Tells you if MP3s are still available so it's all the quicker for you to use.

Last FM - brilliant for recommendations, type in your favourite artist and come across a whole host of artists with similar ideas which you can save to your personal library.  Message boards, downloads and artist biographies available.

Want some general music info to impress your listeners/dinner party guests/mum then try these general music sites....

Pitchfork - a US site but still great for keeping up with bands from the underground to the mainstream and has good UK info too although tour dates are predominantly US.

Drowned in Sound - great for independent music with excellent feature articles, reviews etc.

All Music Guide - huge range of artists across every musical genre. Discographies, biographies, recommended listening. Can also search by MOOD - excellent for pitching your shows to the right audience or for when you have no clue what to listen to!

NME - for your daily dose of hype! Wanna know who the next Arctic Monkeys are gonna be? Then you'll have to wait til the hype about them is over but then NME is sure to tell you!

EIL - good for searching release dates and finding out what's new and exciting. Better for searching specific records as it doesn't offer any bios or features.

Boomkat - more for electronic and hip hop releases but good features include album of the week.

Rough Trade - excellent for spotting new trends and has a great list of albums of the month and of the week.

Q - online version of the magazine, with articles, gig listings, reviews and gossip. Informative and really general.

Mixmag - unleash your inner DJ!  Perfect for the latest from clubland.

Rolling Stone - website for the all-American classic magazine...news, blogs and reviews.

For general music chat and to find kindred musical spirits then Blogs are the best place to go. Try these big ones...

largeheartedboy - really general. It's all about your personal reaction. Can get info, very biased opinions and submit your own feelings about music. BUT not just about music - also features pop culture, literature and art.

Fluxblog - ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC - one of the best known music blogs but fairly niche in that it's for the real music obsessives out there, not your casual reader.

Stereogum - a more comic approach. Funny stories, videos etc plus real music news, downloads etc US based

Nothing But Green Lights (used to be called Take Your Medicine) - UK based standard stuff but also have podcasts and streaming from other websites to recommend artist.

If this hasn't given you exactly what you're looking for why not contact the music team?

HAPPY LISTENING and become music nerds like us!

Love the Music Team x