jack busch

Hello! I recently submitted a My 15 Minutes playlist to 91.3FM WYEP. The goal was to feature violin/loop pedal virtuosos, but unfortunately they didn’t have any Final Fantasy. So, here’s how the final playlist shaped up:

1. Andrew Bird – Anonanimal
2. Arcade Fire – No Cars Go
3. Theresa Andersson – Birds Fly Away

Anyway, to appreciate the loop-y goodness of each of these artists, you have to see them perform these songs live. So, for your brain-melting pleasure, here are some representative samples:

Andrew Bird – Anonanimal (Live)

Andrew Bird needs no introduction. This video is from the Pitchfork “Live at Cemetery Gates” series, which is particularly fitting for a man that seems to be so deeply haunted by his own music. Watch his face and you’ll know what I mean. Watch his feet and you’ll see his awesometacular socks.

Owen Pallet – No Cars Go

This one is a semi-cover, since Owen Pallett (the artist formerly known as Final Fantasy) is kind of an emeritus member of Arcade Fire. He played the violin on the recording of No Cars Go on Neon Bible and co-wrote the string arrangements for the songs on Funeral. Entertainingly, whereas Arcade Fire has about a million members on stage at any given time, Pallett typically prefers to go it alone.

Theresa Andersson – Birds Fly Away (Live)

Hey, this one seems a bit out of place, mood-wise, and you probably couldn’t even tell that it was related just from hearing the song. But watch this video and you’ll understand why Theresa Andersson belongs on this list and many, many others (“Fancy Feet Award Recipients,” “Thanks For Smiling,” and “Top 5 Noisy Neighbors” to name a few). She’s usually a little more violin intensive, but this is my favorite song of hers and it’s even better live because of her one-woman a capella break down.

Anyway, that’s all the songs I got to cram into 15 minutes and I think that’s enough to convince you that playing barefoot isn’t just for hippies anymore. You should certainly check out the KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic appearances of Andrew Bird, Owen Pallett and Theresa Andersson for further ocular proof of their superhuman mastery.

Main image from AndrewBird.net by Brandi Ediss