Music & Culture

Jeff Tweedy says he thinks in "song shapes."

Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on religion, music — and the Dolly Parton song he dislikes

7:22am November 13, 2023

by Rachel Martin

Jeff Tweedy's new book is his tribute to the songs and songwriters that inspired him to start making music in the first place — and then to keep doing it for a long time.

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Hayden Pedigo performs a Tiny Desk concert.

Music & Culture

Hayden Pedigo: Tiny Desk Concert

5:00am November 13, 2023

by Lars Gotrich

At the Tiny Desk, the guitarist plays quiet, gentle melodies inspired by his Texas panhandle home.

Music & Culture

Angie McMahon journeys through the cycle of grief in album 'Light, Dark, Light Again'

2:20pm November 12, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Australian singer/songwriter Angie McMahon about her sophomore album "Light, Dark, Light Again".

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This video grab taken from AFPTV video footage on April 19, 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke covering the sky above the capital Khartoum.

Sudanese American rapper Bas on using music to cope with the brutal conflict in Sudan

9:43am November 11, 2023

by Emmanuel Akinwotu

One Sudanese American rapper has been so affected by the brutal conflict in Sudan, that he has turned to what he knows best — music — to express his sense of loss and frustration.

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Music & Culture

The Chess Project updates the sound of a legendary blues label

9:32am November 11, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with the son of the co-founder of the legendary blues label Chess Records. Marshall Chess has released a new album, "The Chess Project."

Copies of Britney Spears' book The Woman In Me in a book store window.

What Britney Spears' book taught me about resilience and self love

7:00am November 11, 2023

by Luke Medina

The release of Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, means she gets to reclaim her story after it has been told for her for too long. And in a way, I got to revisit and reclaim my own, too.

Billie Eilish is nominated for six Grammys at the 2024 awards ceremony. Five of those nominations are for her song "What Was I Made For," from the soundtrack to the film Barbie.

Music & Culture

2024 Grammy Nominations: A guide to the best, worst and most surprising nominees

6:26pm November 10, 2023

Themes emerge quickly when you dig into the nominations for the 66th Grammy Awards. The major categories are dominated by women and seemingly up for grabs; elsewhere, progress is not always so clear.

A review of the 2023 Grammy nominations

5:46pm November 10, 2023

by Stephen Thompson

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson breaks down the nominations for next year's Grammy Awards, out Friday. Some of the world's biggest pop stars got major nods, with SZA as the most-nominated artist.

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The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to China for anniversary of historic 1973 trip

4:22pm November 10, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with violinist Davyd Booth, who was part of the Philadelphia Orchestra's historic 1973 tour of China.

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The new album of music by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is a warm blanket of comfort in troubled times.

Music & Culture

A disciplined plea for peace – and quiet – from composer Arvo Pärt

3:36pm November 10, 2023

by Tom Huizenga

A new album of music by the 88-year-old Estonian mystic seems to put an arm around you and whisper, "In troubled times, music can help."

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