Music & Culture

Visionary Cuban producer and musician X Alfonso will release a single a week from a new album expected in January.

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino Playlist: A Trap Corrido, New Music From A Cuban Pioneer and Latin Jazz

5:53pm October 30, 2019

Two head-turning collaborations dominate this week's playlist, but we also have a bit of Latin jazz and something new from Cuban hip-hop pioneer X Alfonso.

Canadian fiddle player Natalie MacMaster is featured on this week's The Thistle & Shamrock.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: Myth And Legend

4:10pm October 30, 2019

You're invited to embark on a musical journey through myth and mystery, featuring the Peatbog Faeries, Loreena McKennitt and Natalie MacMaster.

"I tried to get the sexy gorilla costume. But they're out, so I got the standard one," Neko Case says. "But there's still boobies."

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Trick Or Treat: Our 5 Favorite Concerts In Costume

2:55pm October 30, 2019

by Stephen Thompson

There's dressing up, and then there's dressing up. Just in time for Halloween, watch five costume-intensive Tiny Desk concerts — starting with Neko Case in a gorilla suit, of course.

M. Sage's Bias Folklore was just released in the final batch of cassette tapes from Patient Sounds.

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice: Sound-Foraging Ambient, Dank Drone And Spanish Dance-Pop

12:21pm October 30, 2019

by Lars Gotrich

M. Sage pours a bubble bath bog of komische bliss, Deathprod returns with his first album in 15 years and Madrid's Cristina Quesada channels Saint Etienne on this week's playlist.

Bill Conway (left) and Matt Saincome (right) collected their favorite articles from their satirical website The Hard Times for a new book.

The Satire Continues With 'The Hard Times: The First 40 Years'

9:07am October 30, 2019

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Matt Saincome and Bill Conway, co-founders of the satirical punk rock news website The Hard Times, about their new book.

Queue Listen Now

Jonatha Brooke performing live for World Cafe

Music & Culture

A Taste Of Jonatha Brooke's Favorites

9:00am October 30, 2019

On her latest EP called Imposter, the singer-songwriter cherry-picked the five songs she loved most from what she had written since her last album in 2016.

WNYC's new podcast, Dolly Parton's America, examines the role of the country icon in building social bridges in a divided country.

Music & Culture

Can Dolly Parton Heal America?

5:16pm October 29, 2019

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to WNYC's Jad Abumrad about his new podcast which explores the life and legacy of the prolific songwriter and her ability to bridge the divide in America.

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Ranky Tanky inside the World Cafe Performance Studio

Music & Culture

Ranky Tanky Shares The Music Of Gullah

11:03am October 29, 2019

The Charleston, SC band draws on the musical traditions of slave descendants from the region.

Dan Deacon's Mystic Familiar comes out Jan. 31, 2020.

Music & Culture

Dan Deacon Announces New Album With A Music Video Full Of Creepy Crawlies

11:02am October 29, 2019

by Lars Gotrich

"Sat by a Tree" stars actor and comedian Aparna Nancherla as... a decomposing corpse, in celebration of life. Very Deacon.

Music & Culture

A Jeopardy! Question That's Good As Hell

6:41am October 29, 2019

Lizzo posted on Instagram, " MAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I MADE IT" after this aired: "In 2019, this five-letter rap and R&B artist had the 'Juice' to be nominated for best new artist at the VMA's."