Party time! Delegates face the music Aug 23, 2008
It will feature noted lefties Billy Bragg and Steve Earle, Mos Def and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, among others. Don't miss this on msnbc. (MSNBC -- Politics)
I'm Your Biggest Fan Aug 20, 2008
Dan Smalls, the Executive Director of the State Theatre, brought shows to the State heretofore unheard of: his stellar first year included performances by The New Pornographers, Okkervil River and Neko Case; this year's line-up so far includes Andrew Bird (October 4), Billy Bragg (October 18) and Sharon Jones (November 1). Meanwhile, the CCC has increasingly brought more independent music to Ithaca. (Ithaca Times, NY)
Daughtry, Flobots To Liven Up Democratic National Convention Aug 15, 2008
will be hitting the Twin Cities for a September 3 show, while Rage guitarist Tom Morello, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Billy Bragg and Steve Earle are scheduled to play the Service Employees International Union's "Take Back Labor Day" Festival on September 1. And don't worry about missing out on the action yourself: MTV News and our Street Team '08 will be on the ground at both conventions to sort through all the speeches, streamers and ceremony to find the information you need to choose our next... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Tunes for your summer soundtrack Jul 29, 2008
"Mr. Love & Justice" by Billy Bragg. Everybody's favorite rabble rouser has recorded yet another perfect album. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
UK to clamp down on Internet piracy Jul 25, 2008
Musician Billy Bragg told the British Broadcasting Corporation that the music industry was in danger of alienating its audiences through the measure and should look at other ways of safeguarding revenue. The scale of illegal downloading was highlighted in a recent survey by Britain's University of Hertfordshire which claimed most iPods or MP3 digital music players contained more than 800 illegally copied songs. (CNN -- Tech)
Bye-bye San Diego, hello Bronx Jul 14, 2008
OK, a tune before we depart: Love this song, which was covered memorably by Wilco and Billy Bragg on one of their two terrific Mermaid Avenue CDs of Guthrie covers. CALIFORNIA STARS by Woody Guthrie. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
'They brought us in some peace' Jul 4, 2008
McDowell had already had old Clash hand Mick Jones playing an acoustic set in the jail alongside Billy Bragg when the prison launched its own satellite radio station Electric Radio, and last year Bragg gave a solo concert in the prison chapel ... Billy Bragg feels so strongly about what prison is meant to do that he founded a charity called Jail Guitar Doors (named after a Clash song) to provide guitars for prisoners. (Guardian Unlimited)
Glastonbury festival: final day Jul 1, 2008
Later, Billy Bragg joined Carl Bar t for some Libertines songs, and Manu Chao was the Reduced Shakespeare Company of world music: all the most popular bits performed very, very fast. Meanwhile, Mark Ronson demonstrated his ability to make any song sound like Saturday night ITV and hosted the most uncomfortable guest appearance of the weekend: a Lily Allen so devastated by a bereavement the day before (her grandmother) that she cried and forgot the lyrics. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Islands in the Stream Jun 6, 2008
You guys recently signed with Anti- (home of Tom Waits, Billy Bragg and Neko Case). Did that change things. (Winnipeg Sun)
Doherty, M.I.A. Eyed For Ex-Arctic Monkey Project Jun 4, 2008
"But unfortunately nobody has had any bollocks, really. You get your usual suspects like Billy Bragg and I suppose I fall into that category of 'leftie musicians.' But in terms of major celebrities nobody has said anything, and I think that's a travesty.". Radiohead's back catalog became available for sale via Apple's iTunes Music Store this morning (June 3) in DRM-free files, removing the band from the ever-dwindling list of major holdouts from the digital download service. (Billboard.com)
Music listings Jun 1, 2008
Billy Bragg Veteran English folk-rocker performs songs from Mr. Love ce, featuring his band The Blokes; CR Avery opens. St. Andrews Wesley Church, Burrard at Nelson, June 5, 7:30 pm, $32. (Vancouver Sun)
My 20-year love affair with skiffle Jun 1, 2008
Today, skiffle's most high-profile fans include Billy Bragg. Roots of skiffle: The essential tracks. (Guardian Unlimited)
HMV Canada celebrates 20th anniversary with unveiling of new 'Store of the Future' design concept at Bloor Street location in Toronto May 28, 2008
The day will be filled with numerous activities; including an official ribbon cutting ceremony, an intimate acoustic performance by British cult hero Billy Bragg, a Warner Home Video Fool's Gold contest, in addition to numerous giveaways and contests throughout the day. The festivities will continue well into the evening with a glittering, private cocktail reception for the entertainment industry tastemakers from 7pm-10pm that evening. (Canada Newswire)
Paul Weller: Style councillor May 24, 2008
Weller's political leanings became more explicit through the decade, and in 1985 he was a pivotal figure, with Billy Bragg and Jimmy Somerville, in the founding of Red Wedge, an organisation aimed at using music to galvanise youth opinion against the Thatcher government in the run-up to the 1987 general election. But his involvement with Red Wedge backfired somewhat, reinforcing the widespread view of Weller as a dour politico. (Independent)
* Johnny Neihu's Mailbag May 24, 2008
On music and politics, there is a chap from your neck of the wilderness by the name of Billy Bragg, who has made a lot of friends and enemies by linking these two very things. I also understand that Bucks Fizz once sang about the perils of candidate selection in marginal electorates. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Get down with the kids ... May 10, 2008
Featuring: the Flaming Lips, Chuck Berry, Billy Bragg, King Creosote, the Cuban Brothers. They are calling it "a new knees-up from the team behind Bestival", the fragrant Isle of Wight event in September that has been rounding off the UK festival season for the last five years. (Guardian Unlimited)
Microsoft Treads Thin Line in Media-Tech Debate May 9, 2008
First, he expressed deep pessimism about the current trajectory of digital revenue for content creators, citing Billy Bragg's recent about musicians' lack of revenue from websites that use their music, the failure of Radiohead's "pay what you wish" strategy for music downloads, paltry amounts of ad revenue for YouTube content creators (Yuri Baranovsky's USD 1600 for two million page views), and the debunking of Kevin Kelly's model by actual musicians instead of blog-viators ... As Rubin... (eSecurityPlanet)
Listen Up: Costello noodles, Diamond comes home May 6, 2008
Billy Bragg is "operating at a Woody Guthrie level," says an enthralled Brian ... Billy Bragg, : * * * 1/2 -- Favorable verdict. (USA Today -- Life)
Ashlee Simpson, Jeff Healy have new CDs May 2, 2008
Also, new releases from Flight of the Conchords, Billy Bragg, Blind Melon ... But then, Billy Bragg has always done a fine job of being all things to all men. (MSNBC -- Music)
Words of love - and lust Apr 22, 2008
Midway through Billy Bragg's first record in six years, the short but stunning "Something Happened" poses two questions: "D'ya know what love is?" Bragg sings after a lovely plucked electric guitar motif morphs into a soaring, fuzzy rock jam. Then he asks more sadly, "D'ya know what lust is?" To the first he replies, "Love is when you willingly place someone else's priorities above your own." Before a bristling harmonica-led coda, he answers the second, "Lust is when you actively force your own... (Boston Globe)
The year rock found the power to unite Apr 20, 2008
It was a message that resonated with Billy Bragg, then living in Barking and working as a bank messenger ... It was this that inspired Dammers, Billy Bragg, Tom Robinson and Paul Weller to set up Red Wedge, an anti-Thatcher popular movement in the run up to the 1987 general election ... The girls live in Barking in east London and are studying at the same school that Billy Bragg attended four decades earlier; they seem to have inherited some of his political fervour. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Kate Nash is finding her own space Apr 20, 2008
In recent months Nash has been popping up on stages around the globe with a new (and some would argue unlikely) collaborator, folk-punk troubadour Billy Bragg, performing a clever medley of her "Foundations" and his "A New England." They plan to record and release a cover of the Shangri-Las' "Give Him a Great Big Kiss.". "He likes her lyrics," says Fair, "the sarcasm and the humor. Her songs deal with everyday stuff in an honest way, so to me it makes a lot of sense. The way Kate speaks to young... (Boston Globe)
Britain's Kooks Hope To Konker The 'Star-Spangled Ceiling' With Second LP Apr 18, 2008
Plenty of U.K. artists over the years make that case, from the Jam to Billy Bragg to the Manic Street Preachers to even Blur, who didn't score a major pop hit in America until the decidedly unBlur-like "whoo hoo" of "Song 2." Which British artists tend to flourish in this country. Those who mine American sounds, like Amy Winehouse with her throwback soul; those who are unabashed Beatles disciples. (VHI.com -- Music News)
mine's on the 45...On the Record: Supporting Local Music Stores Apr 17, 2008
"It's easy to forget the resources in the community right up until they're gone, so we want to remind people we're here while we're here." Events across the country include a performance by Billy Bragg in London's storied Rough Trade Records and a Metallica meet and greet at a record store in California. Here in town, the reunited Atomic Forces will perform at No Radio Saturday at 8 p.m. Burke will offer 10 percent off all CDs, and 20 percent off all vinyl. (Ithaca Times, NY)
Pop stars who use chastity as a career move Apr 15, 2008
Most people probably dont picture Bob Dylan or Billy Bragg naked too often. Adult educationIf you want to look at why we now have a subculture of sex-obsessed teen stars, look to the adults that have shaped the culture. (MSNBC -- Music)
Future of music is back Apr 11, 2008
English musician Billy Bragg recently set off a firestorm of debate online when, in a New York Times op-ed, he argued that social networks that make millions by freely hosting music should share those proceeds with musicians. This argument is going to be hashed out, as online business models evolve and more big players roll out competing products. (Globe and Mail)
Mystery Jets Apr 1, 2008
Loving You Too Long by Billy Bragg ... I think this was the song that made me sit up and pay attention to Billy Bragg ... Lyrically, it reminds me slightly of Billy Bragg, it's like the new New England. (Guardian Unlimited)
The royalty scam Mar 25, 2008
Billy Bragg is a songwriter and author. . (International Herald Tribune)
Joyous celebration Mar 23, 2008
While Roach is perhaps the better-known artiste of the two (he has released four albums and performed alongside a host of legends, including Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega), the central figure of Rubys Story is undoubtedly Hunter. Rubys Story, which is essentially the live delivery of a series of conceptually linked songs backed by some truly sumptuous world music colouring, tells of the life of Hunter, a Ngarrindjeri woman who was born by the river bank. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Protest songs Mar 22, 2008
It seemed fitting that Billy Bragg brought this home to me recently, as I watched him play at the Roundhouse. Yes, I felt the glow of nostalgia when he played Between the Wars, but I then felt a shudder of hope when he played a new album track, Sing Their Souls Back Home. (Guardian Unlimited -- Politics)
After Presley and Cash, Alabama 3 get prison blues Mar 22, 2008
Inmates were also shown a film about the JGD programme, complete with shots of one former prisoner who got to play alongside Billy Bragg at Glastonbury when the organisation was launched last year ... The Alabama 3, whose new album is the appropriately named Hits and Exit Wounds and who embark on a UK tour next month, are the latest in a long line of British performers to entertain inmates, including Billy Bragg and Mick Jones from the Clash. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Hands off our music! Mar 18, 2008
He praises the Smiths for their "brilliant" lyrics; while he was at Eton, he says the music of the Jam "meant a lot"; his initial shortlist for Desert Island Discs included Kirsty MacColl's version of A New England, written by Billy Bragg ... Veteran Red Wedger Billy Bragg is still pigeonholed as "a political singer-songwriter", and his oeuvre contains plenty of anti-Tory protest music, but it is his beautifully turned love songs that have weathered best ... A few months after Cameron became... (Guardian Unlimited -- Politics)
Best in spring Mar 16, 2008
Progressive patriot' Billy Bragg is reclaiming St George's Day from right-wingers. He's headlining Still Looking for a New England, an alternative celebration of words and music at the Barbican Hall, London, on 23 April. (Guardian Unlimited)
Creative highs, economic woes mark SXSW festival Mar 15, 2008
A showcase for the documentary "Body of War" - chronicling the story of paralyzed Iraq war vet Tomas Young, and also screening at the festival - included performances from politically minded artists Serj Tankian (of System of a Down), Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine), Ben Harper, Billy Bragg, and Kimya Dawson. Young joined them onstage. (Boston Globe)
SXSW: Morello, Tankian, Harper Rock For 'War' Mar 15, 2008
Gary Graff, Austin, Texas Tom Morello, Serj Tankian, Ben Harper, Billy Bragg and others joined forces to sow some musical seeds of revolution last night (March 13) at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas ... Tom Morello, Serj Tankian, Ben Harper, Billy Bragg and others joined forces to sow some musical seeds of revolution last night (March 13) at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. (MediaWeek.com)
The Set List at SXSW Mar 7, 2008
Billy Bragg, who delivered some great performances two years ago at SXSW, will return to Austin to perform at a showcase party being thrown by the Anti- label in partnership with the Utne Reader. Showcase takes place March 13 at the Cedar Street Courtyard and will include performances by Anti- artists Devotchka, Bragg, the Weakerthans, Man Man, Tim Fite and Islands. (Variety)
What to see at SXSW Mar 6, 2008
(Van Morrison, Darryl Hall, Joe Ely, Mick Jones and Billy Bragg head that list this year). Odds are they put on a better show and this may well be the one time you get to see them while they're playing mostly new material. (Variety)
Toyota Yaris and Urban Outfitters Announce the Second Year of Free Yr Radio to Further Support and Celebrate Independent Radio Feb 28, 2008
Billy Bragg, Darondo, Carbon/Silicon, DeVotchKa, Dizzee Rascal, She & Him and the Raveonettes are among the long list of artists scheduled to perform. During the day, complimentary Free Yr Radio Yaris shuttles will be available at Hotel San Jose (1316 S. Congress Ave.) to transport festival-goers to and from the Free Yr Radio Broadcast Corner, in the center of all the SXSW festivities. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Kate Nash to team up with Billy Bragg at Shockwaves NME Awards bash Feb 27, 2008
Wednesday, 27 February 2008. Kate Nash Pic: PA Photos. (NME.com)
Welcome to Nash-ville Feb 23, 2008
"When you look at punk music, the Buzzcocks in particular, their lyrics are cute and heartfelt and honest, and they say stuff like, 'I'm in love again.' It's very simple and a lot of people could call the lyrics simplistic or hardly deep or meaningful or lacking poetry or eloquence. But if you strip it down to what it's about - the feeling - simplicity is best when saying how you feel and making that connection with the people listening to your music. Billy Bragg and Regina Spektor are also... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Bragg Preaches 'Love And Justice' Feb 1, 2008
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. Billy Bragg's first album under his own name in six years will double as his debut for Epitaph's Anti- imprint. "Mr. Love & Justice" is due April 22 and includes 12 new songs. (Billboard.com)
Rage, rage against a venue not quite right Jan 30, 2008
Among the other dissenters was Britain's "Bard of Barking", Billy Bragg, who made time to jump on stage with 20-year-old compatriot Kate Nash, and kept his old songs fresh by updating the lyrics to Welcome to the Great Leap Forward to reflect the current political climate ... For most of the set she remained stationed behind her keyboard, but Billy Bragg's guest cameo broke up the set nicely. (The Age)
Sweat, dust and nois000024F7e Jan 29, 2008
It started with a bombastic set by US punk band Anti-Flag and continued with Billy Bragg and Rage. Co-organiser Vivian Lees said he was happy with the political message from this year's bands. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Getting high on crowd dynamics Jan 28, 2008
The gap left by the kooky Icelander Bjork was filled by political preachings - from Billy Bragg, asking the crowd to stick by the new Labor Government, to the British songstress Kate Nash railing against boys who do not call, to the solo acoustic performance of the Rage guitarist Tom Morello. And then Rage, who, with de la Rocha like a coiled spring, whipped up the kind of religious fervour Kevin Rudd can only dream about. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Bjork clear for big night out Jan 28, 2008
Among the other dissenters were Billy Bragg, who made time to jump on stage with 20-year-old British singer songwriter Kate Nash. Early in the day a cluster of young Australian acts showcased their wares, with British India, Galvatrons, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and Mammal drawing enthusiastic crowds. (The Age)
Rage Against The Machine Jan 27, 2008
At the first Australian Big Day Out at the Parklands Showground on the Gold Coast last weekend, there was plenty of support for politically astute musicians Billy Bragg and Tom Morello ... Billy Bragg's latest album, Mr Love and Justice, is out on Shock Records on March 1. (The Age)
No Bjork, but no one seemed to give a toss Jan 26, 2008
From Rage Against the Machine to Anti-Flag and the Nightwatchman, also known as the Rage guitarist Tom Morello, the opinionated British songstress Kate Nash and the bard of Barking, Billy Bragg. Before his set Bragg made an unscheduled appearance at a pantomime re-enacting "invasion day", his tribute to Australia Day celebrations tomorrow. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Guitar legend won't quit his nightwatchman job Jan 25, 2008
Morello is hoping to use his rock cachet to educate a new generation of music fans about the great "rebel tradition of folk music", from Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan to Billy Bragg. Avant-garde artist Bjork has cancelled her headline appearance at the Big Day Out, citing vocal cord problems. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Best of the BDO Jan 25, 2008
Essex folk hero Billy Bragg has a conscience and a surplus of wit, to boot. Expect to see RATM's Tom Morello stageside, making notes for his next Nightwatchman album. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Maintaining the rage Jan 25, 2008
Billy Bragg and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello tell Patrick Donovan why they inspire one another ... At the first Australian Big Day Out at the Parklands Showground on the Gold Coast last weekend, there was plenty of support for politically astute musicians Billy Bragg and Tom Morello ... Billy Bragg's latest album, Mr Love and Justice, is out on Shock Records on March 1. (The Age)
Vancouver to mount contentious play Jan 22, 2008
" To that end, Neworld is fulfilling its mandate as a true community theatre by sponsoring forums, discussions and even a CD launch party for Far from Home, a special compilation of songs inspired by Rachel Corrie performed by artists including Billy Bragg and D.O.A. Next week, a special post-performance dialogue has been arranged with a local rabbi and members of his synagogue and on Feb. 3 Rachel Corrie's parents will speak at a forum about their daughter in Vancouver. On Sunday, at a... (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
A legend never dies Jan 20, 2008
My own exposure to Hill is manifold with his songs still littering the pages of protest songbooks and artistes like Billy Bragg, Ochs and Dylan all honouring his memory. The irony is that Hill himself understood the power of the message that one can kill a man, but not his ideas. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
A very royal connection Jan 19, 2008
BILLY BRAGG once carried his amp on his back and played his folk-rock songs in Red Square, added music to the lyrics of Woody Guthrie (the folk singer whose guitar bore the scrawl "this machine kills fascists"), happily sang to US audiences "help save the youth of America, help save them from themselves" and reminded crowded rooms from Enmore to Edgbaston that there is power in a union ... In it Bragg considered what it means to be English (not limited to white triumphalists in denial), what... (Sydney Morning Herald)
Tomkins can breathe easy again Jan 19, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Relieved man James Tomkins is all smiles in the AIS rowing sheds in Canberra yesterday after hearing of the Australian eight's qualification for the Olympics at the expense of the Russian crew. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Clash of firebrands promises a scorcher Jan 19, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Home favourite Lleyton Hewitt. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Tom tattle: how they beat block on Cruise book Jan 18, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Edmund TadrosJanuary 18, 2008 - 1:22PM. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Casualties of the literacy wars Jan 18, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. The shift to a more traditional approach to literature shows some capitulation to political pressure, writes Anna Patty. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Framing the public gaze Jan 18, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Paris Hilton learns she will be serving time in jail. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Save our blighted Everest, says Hillary's best friend Jan 13, 2008
from The Independent & The Independent on Sunday. Save our blighted Everest, says Hillary's best friend. (Independent)
Singers slain as Mexico's drug cartels target popular stars Jan 12, 2008
from The Independent & The Independent on Sunday. By Leonard Doyle in Washington. (Yahoo News -- Mexico)
Stars shine for Jeezy benefit Dec 20, 2007
Singer Billy Bragg is 50. Singer Chris Robinson of Black Crowes is 41. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Click for Full Story Dec 20, 2007
Rock singer Billy Bragg is 50. Rock singer-musician Mike Watt (The Secondmen, Minutemen, fIREHOSE) is 50. (KWTX.com, TX)
Bigmouth was better Dec 12, 2007
Billy BraggWednesday December 12, 2007 ... Billy Bragg is a musician and author of The Progressive Patriot - A Search for Belonging. (Guardian Unlimited -- Media)
Wallinger, Winehouse or Wagner? Dec 11, 2007
They also took part in the bravest live show of the year, the improvised Africa Express bash at Glastonbury, joined by Rachid Taha, Toumani Diabat;, Baaba Maal, K'Naan, Fatboy Slim, Billy Bragg and Damon Albarn. It wins Best Secret Show award- most of the Glastonbury crowd didn't even know it was happening. (Guardian Unlimited)
Remembering Joe Strummer Dec 10, 2007
Billy Bragg said that if it weren t for the Clash, punk rock would be just a sneer, a safety pin and a pair of bondage trousers. That sounds right to me. (Times Online)
