The owners of Whiskey Junction, the Minneapolis bar and music venue stationed next to the Cabooze, have announced that by the end of 2017 the establishment will close. Tom O'Shea and Elizabeth "Little" Obregón, who have co-owned and operated the venue since 2006, cite the city's new $15 minimum wage as the reason for their decision.

"We fought for a voice to explain how minimum wage without a tip credit will be detrimental to the small bar and restaurant owners of Minneapolis but we were not listened to," the owners wrote on Facebook. They haven't shared plans for the future of the building, which under various owners has operated as a bar almost continuously for over 130 years. (City Pages)

Texas venue goes up for sale on eBay

While you're browsing for collectibles on eBay, you might stumble across a particularly unique item: a historic bar and music venue located on the main drag in Austin, Texas. The owner of The Parish is auctioning his lease on eBay starting Friday at noon. "This will be someone's Christmas present," says owner Doug Guller, who's already sold two of his other Texas venues on eBay this year. Bidding for The Parish will start at one dollar. (Billboard)

Courtney Barnett says new album is nearly done

Courtney Barnett’s recent album and tour with Kurt Vile hasn't kept her from working on her next solo album. Her follow-up to 2015's Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit is "getting close" to being done, she told Zane Lowe on Beats 1. (Billboard)

JAY-Z discusses Beyoncé collaboration

Remember those rumors about a joint album by JAY-Z and Beyoncé? Don't hold your breath waiting for it to come out, but Jay has confirmed that the two did work on music together in the wake of the marital struggles that resulted in the release of their solo albums 4:44 and Lemonade. "We were using our art almost like a therapy session," says the rapper. (Pitchfork)

Yet another Stranger Things kid has a band

If one more kid from Stranger Things starts a band, they can have their own music festival. Finn Wolfhard (Mike) has a band called Calpurnia. Joe Keery (Steve) is in the band Post Animal. Millie Bobby Brown has been known to rap — with the Roots, no less.

Now Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) fronts a group named Work In Progress. Maybe if Bruce Springsteen is a Stranger Things fan, the Boss will hop on stage when Work In Progress play the legendary Asbury Park venue the Stone Pony on Dec. 29. (Billboard)

DMX releases Xmas jam

Merry Christmas! It's almost December, so why not get in the holiday spirit with a new holiday single? Here's DMX’s very merry rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." (Pitchfork)