One of my first posts in this space was about Bobby Baby, an artist I’d been pointed to by Hello Pretty City Laura. I’m still absolutely smitten with her songs, and this video of one of my favorite free songs she has posted was a real treat. Here’s hoping that she’ll have enough time to write and record more Bobby Baby songs, despite a reasonably full touring schedule with It’s A Musical.

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The Mathematicians have been quietly (ok, not quietly) streaking their way around the U.S. on cross-country tours for the past few years. A few albums and a recent DVD release later, the folks at Cinematic Weapons of Mass Creation have been posting some excellent videos of full sets from their most recent fall tour.

Filmmaker/writer/dudeninja Kit Anderson traveled with the band, filming every night in a unique manner – as if the camera was a stealth part of the stage action. I witnessed Kit in action with the band at a recent Union College performance and wondered what was doing with the dude in all black carefully avoiding the pogo-ing Math members amidst chaos. Above is the third in the series which took place on November 6th, 2008 at the Kansas House in Washington, D.C. Also posted are shows from California and Oregon, both with very compelling stories regarding the situations surrounding the evenings. ( Especially Oregon — WOW! )

The Mathematicians are currently on tour:

3/14 – The Blind Mule / Mobile, AL
3/17 – Acac / Little Rock, AR
3/18 – SXSW
3/19 – SXSW
3/20 – SXSW
3/21 – SXSW
3/23 – Zepplins Underground / El Paso, TX
3/25 – Meow Wolf / Santa Fe, NM
3/26 – Rhinoceropolis / Denver, CO
3/27 – Cecelia’s / Breckenridge, CO
3/29 – Waiting Room / Omaha, NE
3/30 – Box Awesome / Lincoln, NE
3/31 – Public Space1 / Iowa City, IA
4/01 – Nigh Noon Saloon / Madison, WI
4/02 – Reggie’s / Chicaco, IL
4/04 – Uncle Fester’s / Bloomington, IN
4/05 – CPR / Lexington, KY
4/06 – Bikehaus / Cincinnati, OH
4/07 – Howell Opera House / Howell, MI
4/08 – Bug Jar / Rochester, NY

Well, that is something, isn’t it? Will Oldham with some unknown folks from Italy singing, “Would You Go With Me?” as popularized by nu-country singer Josh Turner. Tickets went on-sale for Bonnie “Prince” Billy at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA on Saturday, May 16th at 10PM. Hopefully there are some still available for you…

This truly needs no introduction, but I must say that anyone who covers Whitesnake and adds some Nashville-three part harmonies must be my absolute hero.

Following their excellent Metroland cover story (yeah, hey MLand, fix your broken back issue, please!!!), the folks at B3nson Records have been posting some “Pocket Concerts” on their newly reborn website. So far, five “episodes” have been posted, including familiar characters from the Albany area playing in various configurations. Each video reveals the B3nson folks singing and playing songs in attics, fields, basements and other exotic locales. What a great introduction to a vitally enthusiastic troupe of musicians.

Above is my favorite of the batch, Swamp Baby‘s “Mirror of Lavender”. In this video, Nick Matulis recruits Jen (from We Are Jeneric), Donna (from Scientific Maps and many, many more), and Francis (from Hop Along, Queen Ansleis) to sing otherworldly backup vocals that simply slay me. One has to ask what happened to the crew as the video stops abruptly mid-song. Did the ghosts in the house come to avenge the four souls who were calling to them?

Witness more videos at the B3nson website and the B3nson YouTube group!

Death Vessel from Jiminy Crow on Vimeo.

We Are Architects – Building One – Blanket Fort City from We Are Architects on Vimeo.

Check it out!