Music & Culture

Alejandra Deheza finished the album SVIIB on her own after the death of her School of Seven Bells collaborator Benjamin Curtis.

Music & Culture

School Of Seven Bells, A Musical Partnership Cut Short, Crosses The Finish Line

6:17am February 06, 2016

by NPR Staff

The duo School of Seven Bells wrote its final album together in 2012. Alejandra Deheza didn't know then that her bandmate and songwriting partner wouldn't live to see its release.

Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog performs at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

Music & Culture

Dr. Dog On World Cafe

5:34pm February 05, 2016

The Philadelphia rock band introduces songs from The Psychedelic Swamp during a hometown show at World Cafe Live.

Maurice White performing with Earth, Wind & Fire in New York in the late '70s.

Music & Culture

Maurice White: The Audacity Of Uplift

5:02pm February 05, 2016

by Jason King

His clever idea in forming Earth, Wind & Fire was to power forward with an ethical black music that could force us to keep our heads up to the sky when it matters most.

Music & Culture

Across The Blue Ridge - Episode 6 (Black History Month: African-American Historical Links to Iconic Songs of the American South)

4:59pm February 05, 2016

by Paul Brown

Tennessee native Sparky Rucker has traveled a long road as a rock, gospel, and folk musician, protest singer, civil rights advocate, and teacher. His wife Rhonda blows a soulful harmonica and

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Nathaniel Rateliff, in a still from the group's Austin City Limits performance.

Music & Culture

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, 'What I Need'

3:56pm February 05, 2016

by Ann Powers

Watch the premiere of "What I Need" from Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats' Austin City Limits performance.

Music & Culture

Eden Atwood On Piano Jazz

3:17pm February 05, 2016

The singer showcases her refreshing voice in a performance with host Marian McPartland.

The Lumineers (from left): Neyla Pekarek, Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: The Lumineers, 'Ophelia'

3:01pm February 05, 2016

by David Dye

The foot-stomping, folk-rock hit-makers behind "Ho Hey" premiere their first new music since 2012.

Spike Lee's new documentary charts the King of Pop's journey from child stardom to early fame as a solo act.

Music & Culture

Spike Lee On Michael Jackson's Evolution From Child Star To 'Off The Wall'

2:51pm February 05, 2016

by Mandalit del Barco

The director's new documentary, called Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, explores the King of Pop's seminal LP. "Michael is alive, because his music is still here," he says.

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Music & Culture

Sia Reclaims Songs She Wrote For Others On 'This Is Acting'

2:11pm February 05, 2016

by Ken Tucker

The Australian songwriter who has written hits for Rihanna, Beyonce and Katy Perry just released an album of her own. Critic Ken Tucker likes Sia's singing, in part, because of its imperfections.

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Andrew Bird's ninth album, Are You Serious, comes out April 1 on Loma Vista.

Music & Culture

All Songs +1: Andrew Bird Gets Personal

9:01am February 05, 2016

by Bob Boilen

On this week's +1 podcast, we talk with singer, songwriter, violinist and more Andrew Bird about his new album, Are You Serious, and how his marriage and son have opened him up as a lyricist.