I don’t often listen to pop music or hip-hop or any derivation thereof. So I really had no clue who Bruno Mars is until I heard this interview he did on NPR last weekend.

I checked out some of his stuff and it isn’t all that bad. Not my usual listening material – whatever that might mean – but there’s some actual skill at work there.

So color me surprised and check it out if you’re interested.

New album from these two and I enjoyed it. Yes, even I like happy music once in awhile. Hear it here while they are still streaming it.

So, now we know. Neat story though.

I remember hearing part of a story about this group on NPR last week.

I read this one over at GeekDad and went back to listen to some of their tunes.

Interesting stuff. Give it a listen.

I’ve always been a fan of Prince’s music. Here’s a cool story on how he’s letting his local public radio station give a first listen to his new work. It’s linked from that story. I plan on giving it a listen this weekend (work firewall has some limitations).

So, the person who wrote the “Kookaburra” song (who has passed on) either didn’t see the similarity or didn’t want to sue. But the corporation who didn’t have anything to do with making either song only sees the opportunity to make a buck sues and is trying to rip off the 80s band Men at Work.

It’s probably just a coincidence, at worst it’s an uncredited homage. Either way, the suit is frivolous, the judge is an asshat, and the whole damn thing is ridiculous. I hope the final settlement is for, say, a dollar. Anything more is just insulting to any artist doing any kind of work.

Yes, another of these:

I heard two really fascinating interviews with RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan this week. He has just published a new book called The Tao of Wu, which I’ll probably be checking out. For now, give these a listen

First off, an interview from earlier this week on Marketplace.

Next up an interview I heard on NPR’s All Things Considered.

Enjoy!

This is both heartbreakingly brilliant and pathetic all at the same time.

Q: These are questions my editor wanted me to ask. I’m trying to build my journalistic career here.

A: You’re not building a journalistic career. You’re making yourself look like a moron and you’re not a moron. Who’s your editor?

Look, I have no idea who Christianna Ablahad is, nor do I really care. And I don’t care who her editor is either. That sad, if you are stupid enough to ask these loaded, inane questions to anyone, much less a musician who is only wanting to talk about his music, then you deserve all the abuse you get. If anything, this twit got off light.

As for John Mayer, I suddenly want to go to a bar with this guy and watch him get us both in a fight with some cute girl’s boyfriend that he is sure to piss off.