Music & Culture

Lukas Forchhammer (center) of the Danish pop group Lukas Graham, pictured with bandmates Magnus Larsson (left) and Mark Falgren.

Music & Culture

The Voice Of Lukas Graham, On Small-Town Life In A Big City

11:27am January 08, 2017

by NPR Staff

Lukas Forchhammer, leader of the Danish band, grew up in a commune-like section of Copenhagen. "It was more of a rural upbringing," he says, "even though it was in the center of our capital city."

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Iconic Journalist, Jazz Critic Nat Hentoff Dies At Age 91

8:40am January 08, 2017

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

Renowned journalist and jazz critic Nat Hentoff has died at 91 years old.

Smokey Hormel plays at Sunny's Bar in Brooklyn in August 2013.

Music & Culture

How Smokey Hormel Became The Quintessential Session Musician

8:08am January 07, 2017

by Alex Cohen

The guitarist has played on records by Tom Waits, Norah Jones and Beck, but at one point, he was sure he wanted to pursue a career in acting.

Robbie Robertson onstage at the Academy of Music in December 1971.

Music & Culture

Robbie Robertson On World Cafe

5:58pm January 06, 2017

by David Dye

The guitarist says The Band's debut album, Music From Big Pink, "was music we were making for one another. It was just the pure joy of making music."

The xx producer Jamie Smith (left) met bandmates Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim when all three were 11 years old. "I was quite happy just to stay us," Smith says. "I think just keeping your closest friends around is the best."

Music & Culture

The xx On Growing Up Without Growing Apart

4:56pm January 06, 2017

by NPR Staff

Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith have been a trio since childhood, but like any long-term relationship, it's taken work. They joined NPR's Ari Shapiro to talk about their unique bond.

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Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #54 - Red Clay Ramblers tradition continues

3:00pm January 06, 2017

by Paul Brown

This week Across the Blue Ridge presents Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry from their April, 2016 show at Muddy Creek Music Hall. Mike Craver, Bill Hicks and Jim Watson are all ve

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Music & Culture

Interview: Julien Baker Signs To Matador, Shares New Song

12:18pm January 06, 2017

by Bob Boilen

We have a candid interview with Julien Baker, a young singer of sad, thoughtful songs. Her new song, "Funeral Pyre," is being released on the storied independent label Matador Records.

Angel Olsen performs "Give It Up" in the Fordham University Church.

Music & Culture

Watch Angel Olsen Perform In A Bronx Church

10:55am January 06, 2017

by Benjamin Naddaff-Hafrey

Accompanying herself on electric guitar, the singer performs her resolutely earthly song "Give It Up" at the Fordham University Church.

Music & Culture

Toots Thielemans On Piano Jazz

10:36am January 06, 2017

The prolific jazz harmonica player, who passed away in 2016, joined Marian McPartland in 2005.

"This book is definitely to uplift the young world, because we just have different ways of saying it," DJ Khaled says. "Sometimes we've got to get somebody to translate in a different way."

Music & Culture

DJ Khaled Throws Us The Keys

4:43am January 06, 2017

by NPR Staff

The musician and Snapchat advice guru says his communication style is meant to resonate with young audiences. "Sometimes we've got to get somebody to translate in a different way," he says.