Music Interviews

Brooke Waggoner's song "Widow Maker" got its name and inspiration from a friend's real-life brush with heart trouble.

Music & Culture

Making Sense Of A Song Called 'Widow Maker'

6:20am January 24, 2016

by NPR Staff

Musician Brooke Waggoner was on a coffee run when she got a worrisome text from a friend, whose husband was dealing with a life-threatening heart problem. The news gave her a shiver — and an idea.

"I feel everything that everybody else feels, I promise you," Yanni says. "But there is no reason for me to write music out of anger or frustration, or anything that is negative."

Music & Culture

'New Age Becomes Old Age Very Quickly': Yanni Speaks

10:32am January 23, 2016

by NPR Staff

After dozens of albums and world-spanning tours, the king of new age says he's still baffled by the term. He speaks with NPR's Scott Simon.

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The supernatural investigations of FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are scored by composer Mark Snow.

Music & Culture

As 'X-Files' Returns, Meet The Man Behind The Theme Song

4:13pm January 22, 2016

by Tim Greiving

At creator Chris Carter's request, composer Mark Snow tried to make the X-Files theme sound like The Smiths. In the process, he stumbled on a very different sound — that would become iconic.

Comedian Jon Benjamin's new jazz record is titled Well, I Should Have...Learned How To Play Piano.

Music & Culture

Comedian Jon Benjamin's Jazz Album Is Full Of 'Real, Untapped Un-Talent'

6:30pm January 19, 2016

by NPR Staff

Best known as the lead voice on Bob's Burgers and Archer, Benjamin has no expertise in jazz music. "It's a real insult to people who try," he says of Well, I Should Have ... Learned How To Play Piano.

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'Fiddler' Songwriters Discuss Putting Themselves In The 'Soul Of The Characters'

2:07pm January 15, 2016

Together Sheldon Harnick and the late Jerry Bock wrote the songs for the Broadway show Fiddler on the Roof. Both men spoke to Fresh Air in 2004; Harnick spoke to Fresh Air again in 2014.

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Sylvan Esso is one of the bands that has shaped the 16 years of All Songs Considered.

Music & Culture

Celebrating All Songs Considered's 16th Birthday With Bob Boilen

1:35pm January 14, 2016

Hear Boilen discuss his favorite songs from each of the 16 years he's been hosting the show.

Music & Culture

David Bowie: The World Cafe Sessions

12:00pm January 12, 2016

Listen to sessions recorded during Bowie's Heathen and Reality tours in 2002 and 2003.

Freddie Gibbs in Los Angeles in December.

Music & Culture

Freddie Gibbs: 'I'm Not Just Living For Myself'

2:39pm January 11, 2016

The new father spoke about his inspirations, including the memoirs of Rick James and George Clinton, his business acumen, what the war in the streets is really about and, of course, Gucci.

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Music & Culture

David Bowie On The Ziggy Stardust Years: 'We Were Creating The 21st Century In 1971'

1:32pm January 11, 2016

The legendary rock musician died Sunday, two days after his 69th birthday. In 2002, Bowie spoke with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about songwriting, performing and his Ziggy Stardust persona.

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Music & Culture

Remembering Otis Clay, A Blues Hall Of Fame Musician

1:32pm January 11, 2016

Clay, who died Friday in Chicago, made a name for himself as an R&B singer with hits like "Trying to Live my Life Without You" and "A Lasting Love." Originally broadcast in 1999.

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