Jason Isbell confronts the pain of divorce, and the possibility of new love
Jason Isbell sings about his split from musician Amanda Shires on his latest album Foxes in the Snow. "What I was attempting to do is document a very specific time where I was going through a lot of changes," he says.
The Free Form Funky Freqs blend jazz, R&B, rock and a little space music
The Funky Freqs came up playing the post-Corea jazz-rock style known as free funk — music with fewer complicated melodies and more earthy grooving. Their new album is Hymn of the Third Galaxy.
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Pete Seeger
The folk singer, who died in 2014, was famous for his songs about working people, unions and social justice. In this 1984 interview, Seeger cited Woody Guthrie as one his most important influences.
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Bruce Springsteen
In 2016, Springsteen spoke about New Jersey, masculinity and wishing to be his stage persona: "People see you onstage and, yeah, I'd want to be that guy. ... I want to be that guy myself very often."
'Rings of Power' and 'House of the Dragon' are giant gambles. Will they pay off?
Amazon's Lord of the Rings and HBO's Game of Thrones prequels should please fans of the original works. Time will tell how well the shows set up, and are faithful to, the stories they're expanding.
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Isaac Hayes
Hayes helped shape the sound of Memphis soul in the 1960s, and later co-wrote hits for Sam & Dave and Carla Thomas before making albums of his own. Originally broadcast in 1994.
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Motown legend Smokey Robinson
In addition to writing and producing most of his own records, Robinson also wrote for other Motown acts, including the Temptations, the Marvellettes and Marvin Gaye. Originally broadcast in 2006.
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash
Cash was 18 when her dad, Johnny Cash, gave her a list of 100 essential country songs to help her better understand the music that came before her. Originally broadcast in 2009.
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Rap icon Jay-Z
In 2010, Jay-Z reflected on growing up in Brooklyn surrounded by drugs and violence. "One day, your best friend could be killed. The day before, you could be celebrating him getting a brand-new bike."
Fresh Air's summer music interviews: Lizzo
A self-described "showgirl at its finest," Lizzo initially thought she'd be a classical flautist. Though rap and pop won out, she still brings the flute into her music. Originally broadcast in 2019.