Music & Culture

Music & Culture

America's largest newspaper chain is hiring a full-time Taylor Swift reporter

6:04am September 13, 2023

That's how influential Taylor Swift is in the music industry, she gets her own beat reporter. Gannett is looking for the right person to cover the pop star's music, impact and business empire.

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Music & Culture

Musician Allison Russell is full surprises and ambition on 'The Returner'

2:12pm September 12, 2023

by Ken Tucker

The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist spent years in various bands, including Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters. Now Russell's startling sophomore album serves as a sort of rebirth.

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London-based company Nothing markets its Nothing Phone 2 as a less distracting smartphone.

Music & Culture

Tiny Tech Tips: From iPhone to Nothing Phone

10:07am September 12, 2023

by Josh Rogosin

As the world waits for the iPhone 15, a loyal iPhone user tries out a competitor, the Nothing Phone 2.

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Music & Culture

R&B singer Alina Baraz on her new song 'Keep Me in Love'

8:21am September 10, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

Is it possible for other people to love us the way we love ourselves? Downtempo R&B singer Alina Baraz raises this question in her new song, "Keep Me In Love."

Music & Culture

Slowdive's Neil Halstead on their new album 'everything is alive'

8:04am September 09, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon asks Neil Halstead of Slowdive about the band's new album, "everything is alive."

Queer rock icon Melissa Etheridge opens up in new memoir, 'Talking To My Angels'

4:54pm September 08, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with musician Melissa Etheridge about her new memoir Talking to My Angels.

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This image shows the painting "Ophelia," by John Everett Millais (1829-1896). Experts say that there's a reason that we're attracted to art and music that depict sadness.

Why beautiful sadness — in music, in art — evokes a special pleasure

3:51pm September 08, 2023

by Jon Hamilton

People seek out art and music that combine sadness and beauty. Scientists and artists say there's good reason why we're drawn to it.

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The saxophonist Charles Gayle would often perform in clown makeup as Streets, a character who served not only as social commentary but also as a reflection on "things that are in your heart."

Music & Culture

Charles Gayle, the fierce saxophonist who created his own path, has died at 84

2:43pm September 08, 2023

by Lars Gotrich

In his horn, subway cars rumbled, buses hissed, traffic screeched and sirens howled. Homeless for more than a decade, Gayle was forever in conversation with the streets of New York.

Music & Culture

Hiromi: Tiny Desk Concert

10:34am September 08, 2023

by Suraya Mohamed

The Japanese composer delivers a highly energetic and joyful Tiny Desk set.

Nicki Minaj attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, Calif.

Nicki Minaj paints hip-hop pink — and changes the game

8:37am September 08, 2023

by Phil Harrell

The 2010 Nicki Minaj album Pink Friday brought vibrant new shades to hip-hop.

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