KEXP at SXSW: Billy Bragg (4/7)

Billy Bragg is a riot. Proudly refers to himself as a “polemical songwriter” and points out “my politics are mostly based on mischief.” Is getting some of his thunder stolen by James Blunt, as he’s no longer the only former soldier: “He was an officer in the Royal Armed Corps; I was [just] a trooper!” Asked if he will ever go into politics: “I just look awful in a suit and tie…I look like a bank robber!” Lots of fun to hear his banter. He’s the Pete Seeger of our time. He and Woody Guthrie, some of whose lyrics he has put to music post Woody’s death.