Music

Black Lips' latest album is Underneath the Rainbow. Left to right: Jared Swilley, Joe Bradley, Cole Alexander, Ian St. Pé.

Music & Culture

'We Like Struggle': Black Lips On The Will To Entertain

2:02pm April 05, 2014

by NPR Staff

The Georgia rockers have endured high school expulsion, the death of a bandmate and countless other challenges — and soldiered on. Kelly McEvers speaks with founders Cole Alexander and Jared Swilley.

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Music & Culture

Carlene Carter Carries The Heavy Burden Of History Lightly

12:53pm April 04, 2014

by Ken Tucker

The country singer treats the classic songs on her new album like living, vital pieces of art that can withstand being taken apart, thought about and re-imagined.

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Arc Iris is the self-titled solo debut of Jocie Adams, a former member of The Low Anthem.

Music & Culture

The High Voice Of The Low Anthem Breaks Out As Arc Iris

7:34pm April 03, 2014

by Jim Fusilli

The eclectic approach of Jocie Adams' former band is amply present in her solo debut. Arc Iris showcases Adams' unique singing voice and supports it with cello, banjo, brass and more.

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Music & Culture

Jon Langford Sings Our Impulse To Destroy

2:54pm April 02, 2014

by Ken Tucker

The Mekons and Waco Brothers veteran often places his left-wing politics front and center in his music and his art. Here Be Monsters has a way of mixing pretty melodies with harsh criticisms.

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Music & Culture

Dance Music Legend Frankie Knuckles Dies At 59

10:45am April 02, 2014

by Neda Ulaby

The iconic DJ is credited with helping popularize the style of mixes and remixes known as house music. The cause of death is still unknown, but he suffered from diabetes.

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Music & Culture

First Listen: Yasmine Hamdan's 'Ya Nass'

11:16am April 01, 2014

NPR Music's Bob Boilen and Anastasia Tsioulcas talk about Lebanese artist Yasmine Hamdan and her new album, Ya Nass.

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Dave's Picks Volume 9 features a 1974 Grateful Dead concert played in Montana.

Music & Culture

Fight Sound With Sound: Grateful Dead's Arena Combat

3:47pm March 31, 2014

by Milo Miles

In 1974, sound engineer Owsley Stanley crafted a superior live experience with an enormous conglomeration of amps and speakers called the Wall of Sound. Dave's Picks Volume 9 captures this era.

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Music & Culture

Helen Keller's Glimpse Of Beethoven's 'Heavenly Vibration'

11:27am March 29, 2014

NPR's Scott Simon reads from a letter written by activist Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind. It was written in 1924, after she listened to a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

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"I feel like people don't take you as seriously unless you've done a 'studio record' — which is OK, but I think it's also important to not limit yourself to that," Skrillex says. His new LP Recess is a debut in name only, part of a consistent stream of

Music & Culture

Skrillex, The Darling Of Dubstep, Speaks

2:18pm March 24, 2014

by NPR Staff

In an extended chat with NPR's Arun Rath, the DJ and producer breaks down his unconventional release strategy, collaboration process and how he turned "brostep" from a dirty word to a badge of honor.

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Bud Powell pioneered bebop-style improvisation on the piano.

Music & Culture

After A Painful Year, Bud Powell's Triumpant 1953 Return

2:14pm March 24, 2014

by Kevin Whitehead

On Feb. 5, 1953, Powell was uncommunicative face to face at the New York jazz club Birdland. But when he sat at the keys, it was a whole other story.

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