Meidai says Tears is about “someone who hides behind laughter.”

Videos for new songs by Writer — “Hot Days” and a cover of Santigold’s “Disparate Youth” — from their upcoming full-length Brotherface (due October 30), are streaming online, both directed by E. Lee Smith. The first was filmed in Joshua Tree National Park, while the second animates street graffiti from the band’s new Brooklyn NYC neighborhood.

Hip-hop emcee Michael May, aka Meidai, will release Tears of a Clown on November 8 on his Off Da Wall MusiQ label. “It’ll be a digital download, with CDs soon to follow,” says May. “The album title means someone who hides behind laughter, when in reality there’s a lot more behind the scenes going on. In my case, I hide behind my music and instead of showing emotions I tell jokes.”

Travis Barker’s collaborative five-song EP with Yelawolf, Psycho White, drops November 13 via LaSalle Records and Killer Distribution. Produced by Barker, the EP features vocals from Tim Armstrong (Rancid) and Skinhead Rob (Transplants), and scratch FX by Mixmaster Mike (Beastie Boys).

Chapter 14 frontman Chad Ackerman will release The In Between, the debut full-length from his new solo project A Veil, on November 30, his 29th birthday. “I wrote 32 songs and chose 8 of them to be on my first release,” says Ackerman, who recorded at the Spot, a Vista studio operated by Chapter 14 bandmate Tanner Sparks. Vocals, extra programming, percussion, and kazoo tracks were recorded with Brian Grider at SCM Recordings in Corona, where everything was mixed and mastered.

The Electric Healing Sound EP will debut in late November, courtesy of San Diego/Mexican label and art collective Cholo Punks.

Guitarist Johnny Vernazza is recording a new full-length, Lions and Thieves, with guest players such as his former employer Elvin Bishop, as well as Charlie Musselwhite, Albert Lee, Charlie Daniels, and famed L.A. Wrecking Crew producer Don Peake.