Music on Television | 2.4-2.9

I normally try to have this up by Monday, but, luckily, there was only one Monday musical performance worth mentioning and I’ve added the video in case you missed it. Also, lots of artists performing on TV this week have upcoming shows in Nashville, so I’ve added ticket links and dates below.

I know it’s tough to keep track of all of the great performances on television each week, so every Monday (er, sometimes Tuesday) I’ll bring you a roundup of the best artists (along with a bonus pick or two). So get those DVRs set (or remember to check Hulu the next day) for:

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MONDAY (2/4)

DON’T MISS: Jim James on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: I apologize for not having this post up in time for you to tune in, but I included a video of James’ performance from last night below. The My Morning Jacket frontman just dropped his incredible debut solo album, Regions of Light and Sound of God, and, if you missed it, we just reviewed his recent secret show in Nashville. This was the only thing worth catching on Monday, but what more could you really need?

Jim James will be performing at The Cannery Ballroom in Nashville on 5/2/13. You can find more info here. Here’s singer’s performance, accompanied by The Roots, from Monday’s ‘Fallon’:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/ebCvL0i3OeE]

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TUESDAY (2/5)

DON’T MISS: Local Natives on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: The hype surrounding Local Natives has diminished quite a bit in the several years since the release of their fantastic debut record. The indie rockers have proven deserving of hype once again, however, with their just-released and even better followup Hummingbird. Tune it and remember why you loved this band in the first place!

Local Natives will be performing at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on 3/18/13. You can find more info here. Check out the band’s NPR Tiny Desk performance below:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/FoyjUYtk30s]

Bonus: Jimmy Cliff on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: The regge legend released a Tim Armstrong (of Rancid)-produced comeback album last summer, appropriately titled Rebirth. Cliff’s influence on reggae is often overshadowed by Bob Marley, but he’s nonetheless one of the greats.

Bonus: Tift Merritt on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt has been releasing fantastic folky, alt-country records for over a decade, and has toured with some heavy hitters. It’s great to see her mainstream attention finally growing!

Tift Merritt will be performing at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville on 2/23/13. You can find more info here.

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WEDNESDAY (2/6)

DON’T MISS: Dirty Projectors on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: The Dirty Projectors’ 2012 album, Swing Lo Magellan, was quite possibly the group’s best, in a long, interesting career of experimental indie releases. They’re known for strong performances and great stage presence, so this is a tv spot you won’t want to miss!

You can catch the group’s recent ‘Letterman’ performance of  their single “About to Die,” below:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/YlXlIhCXQ7o]

Bonus: Gary Clark Jr. on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Blues rocker Gary Clark Jr. has built quite a reputation for his performance talent and songwriting versatility in recent years. His late 2012 release, Blak and Blu, was one of the best records of the fall!

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THURSDAY (2/7)

DON’T MISS: Matt Pond on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: A couple of years ago, Matt Pond dropped the “PA” from his stagename and, with the recent release of his new album, is also debuting a more focused, energetic sound. Pond is the best he’s been in years, and his Fallon performance is sure to reflect his newfound reinvigoration!

Matt Pond will be performing at Mercy Lounge in Nashville on 2/17/13. You can find more info here. Here’s the singer and his band performing live on ‘Daytime:’

[youtube=http://youtu.be/EOIrjGLuwQ8]

Bonus: Joshua James on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: James is perhaps best known for contributing the track “Coal War” to the show Sons of Anarchy, but that track alone sells the folky singer-songwriter’s range short. He’s somehow managed to consistently fly under the radar with his fantastic releases and is definitely a singer to keep an eye on!

Joshua James will be performing at 12th & Porter in Nashville on 3/24/13.

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FRIDAY (2/8)

DON’T MISS: Night Beds on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Nashville’s Night Beds (Winston Yellen) just released his incredible debut full-length, Country Sleep, to mountains of critical praise (Yellen also just played a Grimey’s in-store performance to support it). The indie singer’s late night debut is the only thing worth catching on Friday and it should be required viewing!

Check out a live performance of Night Beds’ memorizing single “Ramona:’

[youtube=http://youtu.be/qLMeIsA1xDc]

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SATURDAY (2/9)

DON’T MISS: Justin Bieber on Saturday Night Live [NBC; 11:30PM/10:30c]: The Biebz is hosting AND performing on SNL this week. So, that should be interesting, huh?

Here’s the video for a song I’ve never heard, but apparently 108 million other people on YouTube have: