Billy Bragg does comedic songs (and videos) perfectly. Here’s “Handyman Blues” from his latest album, Tooth & Nail.
Here’s another one from Toronto’s July Talk. A more recent video that came out this past April called “Guns + Ammunition”. Nice little one-take video. Or is it?
As @gregorybflynn pointed out, they’re playing the Sunset on the 29th, if you happen to be free (unlike me that night).
Grumble grumble.
Source: youtube.com
If you were ever wondering what a band would sound like if it were a love child of the Strokes and Hospitality sung by Tom Waits, then you’re in luck. It appears that July Talk’s self-titled debut from last year may be another gross oversight of my 2012 Bacon Calendar.
One of my major oversights for the 2012 Bacon Calendar: exitmusic’s awesome album Passage. Can’t win ’em all, I suppose. Here’s a new-ish video from the album, for their song “White Noise.”
Here’s Seattle’s J. Tillman, otherwise known as Father John Misty, with another video from last year’s Fear Fun. “Funtimes In Babylon”
I would really like to know what all the props in this video are from. They couldn’t possibly have been set up just for this video.

The National - Learning (Perfume Genius cover)
I love everything about this.
If you watched the video for The National’s latest video, “Sea of Love,” you should watch this. It gives the National’s version much more of a reason for being.
Edwin Birdsong - “Cola Bottle Baby”
Wow, so that’s where that sample comes from.
And, my goodness, what a very very long sample that turns out to have been.
Yikes.
Well I’ll be damned.
Anything I say here about Janelle Monáe will reveal my ignorance of what makes her everything that she is. Let’s just say I like this song, this video, and the fact that Erykah Badu appears on the song and in the video as well.
Source: jmonae.com
Every Labor Day weekend, Bumbershoot takes over the Seattle Center. It’s a great festival of music, art, comedy, readings — all the creative juices are flowing. If you’re thinking of coming to Seattle, or if you already live here, make this event a top priority.
I also love this music lineup video — nicely done!
Source: bumbershoot.org
Yet another great song and video from The National.
This new album is already my favorite of the year, and I’ve only heard two songs. Trouble Will Find Me comes out May 20.
I‘ve not been the biggest Kate Nash, but this song and video, “OMYGOD!” are quite good (and fun).
Wow. I clearly need to learn more about Colin Stetson and his saxophone, pronto. Hadn’t heard of him before now, but it appears his third album, New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light, comes out April 30. And he’s coming to Barboza in June.
Most likely you’ve already watched this video by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis that was posted yesterday, but in the off chance you haven’t seen it: watch and be amazed as you find yourself reaching for the mouse as soon as it ends to hit “replay.”
This song, “Can’t Hold Us” featuring Ray Dalton on the chorus, is off of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s fantastic album The Heist, which was #8 on last year’s Musical Bacon Calendar.