Music Interviews

A Personal History Of L.A. Punk: 'It Was A Free-For-All For Outcasts'

1:41pm July 01, 2016

John Doe, Exene Cervenka and Dave Alvin of the band X discuss punk's early days. "Anybody could belong to punk that wanted to be there," Cervenka says. Originally broadcast May 2, 2016.

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Music & Culture

Remembering Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley's First Guitarist And Manager

1:32pm June 30, 2016

Moore, who died Tuesday at the age of 84, booked gigs for Presley during the early part of the musician's career. He later penned the memoir, That's Alright, Elvis. Originally broadcast in 1997.

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"For me to just be like, 'This is me and I'm putting it out there,' — it takes a minute," says Dev Hynes, who records as Blood Orange.

Music & Culture

Dev Hynes On Taking Time With His Music: 'I Want It To Be The Most Me'

7:20am June 30, 2016

by NPR Staff

The producer known as Blood Orange says his new album is for everyone who grows up feeling "underappreciated." To serve them, he has to be wholly himself.

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YG in Los Angeles a couple days after his second album, Still Brazy, was released.

Music & Culture

YG: 'I'm Stepping Into My Powers'

9:02am June 29, 2016

The Compton rapper, who beat back the sophomore jinx with his new album Still Brazy, is questioning a world that barely ever makes sense.

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Carla Hassett's latest solo album is called +Blue.

Music & Culture

In Songwriting, Carla Hassett Looks Home

7:59am June 26, 2016

by NPR Staff

The Brazilian-American singer named her latest album after a song by Caetano Veloso, whose lyrics written while in exile from Brazil struck a chord.

Music & Culture

'The Hot Sardines' Album: French Fries & Champagne

8:48am June 25, 2016

"French Fries and Champagne" is The Hot Sardines' new album. Singer Elizabeth Bougerol and band leader Evan Palazzo tell NPR's Scott Simon Craigslist helped them turn their hobby into a music career.

Music & Culture

Remembering Bluegrass And Banjo Legend Ralph Stanley

2:59pm June 24, 2016

The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass pioneer died yesterday. He was 89. Stanley spoke to Fresh Air in 2002 about his career and his work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

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Though not well known for its jazz scene, Houston, Texas has produced some of America's best jazz musicians, including Jason Moran.

Music & Culture

Beyond Country And Blues: The Jazz Legacy Of Houston

6:36am June 24, 2016

by NPR Staff

Though not well known for its jazz scene, Houston has produced some of the country's best jazz musicians, including Jason Moran.

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David Hepworth's new book, Never A Dull Moment, is out now from Henry Holt & Co.

The Case For 1971 As Rock's Greatest Year

7:07pm June 22, 2016

by NPR Staff

That year, music journalist David Hepworth argues, offered an explosion of talent from David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Al Green, John Lennon and more. He discusses his new book, Never a Dull Moment.

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Music & Culture

Bob Boilen Talks 'Your Song Changed My Life' On World Cafe

5:38pm June 21, 2016

The All Songs Considered host asked 35 artists about the music that shaped them. But what song changed his life?