Fresh Air, Flight of the Conchords and Los Straitjackets, December 31, 2007

Hear music-comedy duo Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, singer songwriter Nellie McKay, and musical group Los Straitjackets.

Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are with the group Flight of the Conchords. They join us in the studio for a concert. Clement and McKenzie hail from New Zealand and were named Best Alternative comedy Act at the 2005 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. They star in the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, which begins its second season in 2008. (Season One is now out on DVD). It's about two transplanted New Zealanders who live in New York City's Lower East side. (Original Airdate: 6/14/2007)

Then Nellie McKay, who's in the studio for a concert and conversation. Her new album is called Obligatory Villagers. It's got jazz and cabaret influences, with sassy lyrics that cover the areas of feminism and zombies. McKay has also worked as an actress and stand-up comedian. Her debut CD was called Get Away From Me, a play on the Norah Jones album title Come Away With Me. (Original Airdate: 11/21/2007).

Finally, a concert and conversation with Los Straitjackets. Joining us in the studio are guitarist Eddie Angel, founder and guitar player Danny Amis, and guest vocalist Robert "Big Sandy" Williams. The indie rock band's latest CD is called Rock En Espanol, Vol. 1, featuring vocals by Big Sandy and Little Willie G. The album contains Spanish language versions of rock and roll hits from the 1960s. Tracks include "De Dia Y De Noche (All Day and All Night)", popularized by the Kinks, "La Hiedra Venenosa (Poison Ivy)", made famous by the Coasters, and many more. The band performs wearing Mexican wrestling masks. (Original Airdate: 6/11/2007) [Broadcast Date: December 31, 2007]