Music & Culture

Clockwise from upper left: Run The Jewels, Brian Eno, Taylor Kirk of Timber Timbre, The Lowland Hum

Music & Culture

New Mix: Run The Jewels, Brian Eno, Timber Timbre, More

8:23pm January 17, 2017

Our first new mix of 2017 features songs that are both big and hopeful, and crushingly sad, from the politically charged music of Run The Jewels and Timber Timbre to the joyful bliss of Lowland Hum.

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Loamlands makes its World Cafe debut in this session.

Music & Culture

Loamlands On World Cafe

4:33pm January 17, 2017

by David Dye

The North Carolina band's music has evolved from folk-punk beginnings toward a classic-rock sound. Watch Kym Register's powerful performance of "Little River."

Music & Culture

Pakistani Pop Star Halts Show To Save Female Fan From Alleged Harassment

3:31pm January 17, 2017

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Singer and actor Atif Aslam stopped a recent performance in Karachi to ensure the safety of a young woman in his audience — and to berate her harassers from the stage.

Entertainer DJ Khaled attends the Yahoo News/ABC News White House Correspondents' Dinner Pre-Party on April 30, 2016.

Rest Your Greatness: 6 Key Moments With DJ Khaled

2:29pm January 17, 2017

by Linda Holmes

NPR's David Greene recently spoke with producer-musician-Snapchatter DJ Khaled about his Jet Ski adventure, his love of pillows, and all the things "they" don't want you to know.

Spoon's new album, Hot Thoughts, comes out March 17.

Music & Culture

Spoon's Got 'Hot Thoughts' On The Way

1:48pm January 17, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

The long-running band returns with its ninth album, Hot Thoughts, on March 17. Hear the title track.

Phoebe Bridgers' new single is titled "Smoke Signals."

Music & Culture

2017's Best New Artist Might Just Be Phoebe Bridgers

12:23pm January 17, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

The 22-year-old singer-songwriter has a voice powerful enough to command any stage, but with intimate phrasing that cries out for late-night drives and walks under headphones. Hear "Smoke Signals."

Radio DJ Alan Freed in the 1950s. Freed's pioneering career as a champion of rock and roll was marred by the revelation that he'd accepted "payola" — money from labels to play certain records.

Music & Culture

In An Ever-Changing Music Industry, Cash For Hits Remains A Constant

12:15pm January 17, 2017

by Allyson McCabe

In the 1950s and '60s, payola scandals led to Congressional investigations. Though today's tactics are more nuanced than handing a DJ a briefcase full of money, pay for play is still alive and well.

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Music & Culture

Wolf Parade, 'Mr. Startup' (Live At Pickathon)

10:55am January 17, 2017

by Jerad Walker

The indie-rock band's Woods Stage performance last summer was its first festival appearance in over five years.

Timber Timbre's new album, Sincerely, Future Pollution, is due out in April.

Music & Culture

Timber Timbre's 'Sewer Blues' Is A Grim Take On America's Future

10:11am January 17, 2017

by Robin Hilton

The Canadian band is back with a new album called Sincerely, Future Pollution, a record heavily shaped by 2016's political upheaval. The first single is a dark, brooding take on the state of America.

Brent Cobb performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Nov. 10, 2016. (Claire Harbage/NPR)

Music & Culture

Brent Cobb: Tiny Desk Concert

9:00am January 17, 2017

by Lars Gotrich

Cobb's words shimmer like a tall glass of sweet tea in the late-morning sun. Watch the country singer-songwriter perform four songs from his debut album.