Jeff Pianki

For the most part I'm not a big fan of guys my age who play acoustic guitar. It starts earnestly but quickly descends into the depths of cheap John Mayer (who is already mediocre) knockoffs like this God-awful travesty. A few diamonds in the penny mine are able to transcend the AE-wearin', Owl City-listenin', Adam Brody-lookin' cliché.

An exception to this acoustic hellhole: Jeff Pianki.

Sugarplum Bear posted this video on the wall of Dutchess Dragonmane and I was immediately on board with this guy. I triple dog dare you not to giggle when you watch it.

His music, like Sugarplum says, "makes my heart smile." Sure, sometimes it does start sliding into the realm of guitar-boy stereotype-land, but there's something, I don't know what, but something that keeps it genuine.

Is it that he's Michigan-born and Midwest is best?

Or that he's a freckled redhead?

Or that his blog shows how he's just a normal, nice dude?

I don't know. What I do know is he's talented and my auditory nerves enjoy what he does.

Jazzy Jeff's Last FM has a gaggle of his songs available for free download. And his Youtube account features a bunch of originals, covers, and collaborations including another with his precious sister that may just be cuter than Say Hello.

I'll let you find it.

Here's a hint:

Tambourines

Best instrument ever: the cello.
Second best instrument ever: the lute.
Instrument I like: the TAMBOURINE.

The tambourine may not be the coolest, most technical, or most unique instrument. Actually, as an instrument, it kind of sucks. But aesthetically, the tambourine is really fun.

It's rhythmic and fun and jangly and can be pretty and yes.


Tambourines are a lot like me. Kind of useless, mostly filler, but SUPER FUN.
Seriously any band is better with a tambourine.