So, obviously I'm on a bit of a Bat for Lashes kick.  If you hurry up and snag her new album, you might see why.  

She recently made an appearance on BBC Radio 1 and performed two songs; the first, a great laptop version of her single "Daniel" and a surprise cover of the Kings of Leon hit "Use Somebody".  I haven't blogged about it, but I dig their album, Only by the Night - It's not typically a genre I'd reach for, but there's something about the quality and integrity with which these dudes from the southern US approach their cock-rock that works for me.  It's got swagger, but not the Chad Kroeger kind.  Natasha Khan's version is fairly loyal to the original, though interesting to hear it from a female perspective.  I like that she's sticking her neck out on something so commercial, so American, and so current - A smart marketing move, if nothing else.  Enjoy!

Download: Bat for Lashes, Live Lounge BBC Radio 1

Another NPR podcast.  This time Metric frontwoman Emily Haines (& the Soft Skeleton) performs tracks from her debut solo album, Knives Don't Have Your Back.  

Download: 

Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton Live in Washington

This Friday I'll see Neko Case live for the first time.  A perfect primer, her recent concert in Washington, DC recorded and podcasted by NPR. I've edited it down for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Download: Neko Case - Live in Washington

You all know how I feel about iTunes, iPods, and all things Apple. Well, further to that, I wanted to gush for a moment about podcasts. While not everyone should have one, anyone can, so that means there can be a lot to wade through. National Public Radio, however, provides some really great ones, from features on writers and personalities to live music. Obnoxiously well-read hosts and interviewers notwithstanding, these are the podcasts I tend to go for.

I recently snagged the live concert and interview they did with Antony Hegarty (and the Johnsons) in February and it's amazing. Not only are podcasts free, but they're generally quite high quality. So, for nothing, you're getting a live concert album that wouldn't be released for commercial consumption. Marvelous!

Using Adobe SoundBooth, I imported the large, uncut, nearly-two-hour MP3 file and chopped it up into tracks, faded in, faded-out, the whole nine yards. I tossed together some album art and everything. Please enjoy.

Download:
Antony and the Johnsons

Live in Washington