A Modern Leper, On His Upright Dulcimer

Back in March when I posted my St. Patrick's Day cover songs, I started thinking about other fun arrangements I could do with my woodrow / upright dulcimer. Since it's already tuned to an open D5, I was particularly curious to try and translate songs from Drop-D guitar into dulcimer tunes — and so, for my first demonstration, I chose "The Modern Leper" by Frightened Rabbit, the song which first made me fall in love with that band.

Here's the original version for comparison, in case you're not familiar (unfortunately, my Scottish accent is not nearly as good as Scott Hutchison's, but I do my best):

Happy St. Padraig's Day!

Everyone knows I love St. Padraig's Day. And so to celebrate this year, I decided to record cover versions of a few of my favorite Irish folk songs (also the Pogues, which counts). Enjoy!

How To Kill The Poor With Irony

As I've mentioned before, I had this idea for an album of punk rock covers done in a folk / bluegrass style, which I kind of gave up on but recently re-invested myself in (it's amazing what some nice recording mics can inspire in a person). So naturally, while I was snowed into my house this past weekend, I used that time productively to revisit one of my "Folk In Drublic" tunes. This one is the punk rock classic "Kill The Poor" by the Dead Kennedys. Basically, I thought it would be hilarious to be ironic about an already-ironic song, and turn an ironic punk song into a genuine-sounding country hick right wing anthem. So, uh, you're welcome. I guess.

Merry Christmas (Eve)!

I figure must people are busy spending time with their families (as they should be!), so here's a quick update for you to enjoy while you're in the bathroom or waiting for family to arrive or whatever. First, over on Five By Five Hundred, I whipped up a brief little parody piece after one of my own family's favorite traditions that I think everyone can enjoy -- "'Twas The Night Before Christmas Break."

And then there's this:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDheBMWy7Ic]

You're welcome. Merry Christmas! (and equivalent non-Christian holiday greetings, of course)

Cosmic Banditos! (-itos)(-itos)(-itos)

This weekend, I had the pleasure of accompanying Cosmic Banditos on their first gig in Baltimore, Maryland. I filled in on Woodrow and lap steel for a set at the annual Music4Change concert. Here's some video (more after the break) [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGWssnIdbk]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjZxpVI8KTg]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwE-XiN3UYE]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOIlFYzeKMk]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vbrKYkE7mA]