"After five years of struggling with this," tweeted Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, "we agreed to put the keys songs on Spotify. I'd rather people hear our music than not." Carney has been an outspoken critic of the low rates paid by streaming services, and says he's "still an advocate for artists to be paid fairly. I'm still apprehensive."

Today's new music news

Nile Rodgers says that Chic will release their next album, It's About Time, next year as part of a celebration of the band's 40th anniversary — which is also the 40th anniversary of the opening of Studio 54. The album might have come out this year, Rodgers wrote in a blog post, but "I couldn't release an album about the joy of life in A Year of So Many Deaths." (Rolling Stone)

Broken Social Scene will also be back with new music in 2017, says the band's Kevin Drew. The album will likely be out next summer, said Drew, who added that "The whole reason we got back together was after the shootings in Paris. Everyone sort of got on the phone within the small tribe of us and said, 'I want to play some shows.'" (NME)

Spotify seems to have accidentally leaked the title and artwork for new music by Dirty Projectors. "It's unclear whether 'Little Bubble' is the title of a new album or track," notes NME, which reports that an e-mail sent to Spotify subscribers mentioned the new release even though it hasn't yet been announced or made available.

Jessi Zazu crowdfunding cancer treatment

Jessi Zazu, lead singer with Those Darlins until the band broke up earlier this year, has revealed that she's been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Zazu has launched a fundraising website, and is selling "Ain't Afraid" t-shirts, to fund her chemotherapy.

The cancer has spread to her lymphatic system, said Zazu. "This is typically what they would call a 'no cure scenario,' but I refuse to believe that to be the case. I feel healthy, happy, hopeful, determined, positive, and full of sparks and nails. In a sense: there's a tumor growing on my body, I don't know what lays in store, but I ain't afraid anymore." (SPIN

Tegan and Sara launch new foundation

Tegan and Sara have launched a new foundation that will benefit LGBTQ women and girls. The Tegan and Sara Foundation was inspired, say the Quin twins, by their experiences on this past fall's tour.

"We learned a great deal from you all, including much more about the needs of LGBTQ people in North America," they wrote in a statement. "We learned that the lack of federal funding for LGBTQ services, limited training for doctors about the needs of their LGBTQ patients and severe workplace discrimination are disproportionately affecting women. Most importantly, we learned that LGBTQ women and girls are feeling overwhelmingly rejected and left behind." (Los Angeles Times)

Fiona Apple supports Standing Rock

Fiona Apple made a rare live appearance on Sunday night at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, premiering her anti-Trump rewrite of "The Christmas Song." Also performing at the benefit for Dakota Access Pipeline protesters were TV On The Radio, Sky Ferreira, Devendra Banhart, and more. You can see clips from the concert at Pitchfork.

Michael Bolton plans Netflix special

When you think "Big Sexy Valentine's Day Special," what name comes immediately to mind? Michael Bolton, obviously. The balladeer is hosting an all-star variety special that will "get people in the mood to make love," says the streaming service. The Lonely Island, Fred Armisen, Sarah Silverman, and others will guest on the show, which will also feature Bolton singing "an array of love songs made up of both classic hits and all-new original love-making music."

This Christmas, get dirty with Gorillaz

Murdoc, one of the cartoon members of Gorillaz, has shared a "Dirty Santa Party" playlist on Spotify. Among the selections: Tom Waits’ "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis." Listen at NME.