Music Interviews

Music & Culture

Mickey Guyton Is A Country Artist With A Big Voice An An Even Bigger Message

2:07pm September 27, 2021

In this episode of World Cafe, Mickey Guyton talks about Spotify's role in making her music more visible, women in country music getting "chicked," her debut album, Remember Her Name, and more.

Will Liverman (center) as Charles in Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones.

Terence Blanchard Makes History At The Metropolitan Opera

1:28pm September 27, 2021

by Tom Vitale

Fire Shut Up in My Bones, based on the Charles M. Blow memoir of the same title, is the first work by a Black composer to be staged by the Metropolitan Opera.

Music & Culture

Cynthia Erivo Sings Her Own Words In 1st Solo Album

5:26pm September 25, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with actress and singer Cynthia Erivo about her debut solo album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1.

Music & Culture

Little Simz On Maturity In Latest Album

5:26pm September 25, 2021

Rapper Little Simz talks about her latest album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

Music & Culture

Grammy Winning Bluegrass Artist Billy Strings Has A New Album

8:56am September 25, 2021

Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings talks about his new album, Renewal.

Music & Culture

'What Do You Need A Song For?': Esperanza Spalding's Search For The Answer

5:46pm September 24, 2021

At the heart of Esperanza Spalding's new album is the question "What do you need a song for?" NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with the Grammy-winning musician about her album, Songwrights Apothecary Lab.

Country singer Mickey Guyton released her latest album, Remember Her Name, on Sept. 24.

Music & Culture

On Debut Album, Mickey Guyton Remembers Her Name

2:54pm September 24, 2021

Over the last decade, singer-songwriter Mickey Guyton has been trying to convince the country music industry that she is country. NPR's Noel King talks her about the highs and lows she's experienced.

Music & Culture

Ray Charles Reflects On His Country Music Roots

1:32pm September 24, 2021

by Terry Gross

The soul and R&B legend, who died in 2004, was recently voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1998, Charles came on Fresh Air to promote The Complete Country & Western Recordings: 1959-1986.

Queue Listen Now

The new game Sable features a soundtrack from Michelle Zauner, best known as the indie-rock star behind the band Japanese Breakfast.

How Japanese Breakfast Crafted The Sounds Of The New Game 'Sable'

4:40pm September 23, 2021

by Vincent Acovino

Musician Michelle Zauner talks about the history and process behind her soundtrack for the new video game Sable – including inspiration from The Secret of Mana and indie legends Yo La Tengo.

Music & Culture

Reintroducing Matthew E. White, The Musician With A Producer's Brain

2:26pm September 21, 2021

On his latest album, K Bay, the singer-songwriter made music in a variety of studios and used a variety of sonic tricks.