Music Interviews

Music & Culture

A Rational Conversation: Neal Brennan On What The Hell Happened This Year

7:03am December 30, 2014

by Eric Ducker

"A lot of women would say Taylor Swift has the album of the year. I don't think they'd be wrong. Taylor Swift, like Drake — I don't want to like her, but yet, here I am."

Music & Culture

At 90, 'Fiddler' Lyricist Tells His Story

2:44pm December 29, 2014

"Any successful lyricist has to be part playwright and has to be able to put himself into the minds and the hearts and the souls of the characters," Sheldon Harnick tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross.

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Music & Culture

Sam Baker: Finding Grace In The Wake Of Destruction

2:39pm December 29, 2014

In 1986, a bomb planted by the Peruvian terrorist group Shining Path exploded in the luggage rack above Sam Baker. Somehow, during his long recovery, songs focused on empathy started coming to him.

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Music & Culture

Director John Carpenter On The Sound Of A Terrifying Film

11:12am December 29, 2014

John Carpenter, famous for his cult-classic films (Halloween), is also behind soundtracks. Robert Siegel talks to him about how to scare an audience. His solo horror album, Lost Themes, is out Feb. 3.

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Anthony Hamilton's first Christmas album is called Home for the Holidays.

Music & Culture

Anthony Hamilton Brings Home Holiday Funk

9:30am December 26, 2014

by NPR Staff

How do you make a Christmas album without succumbing to formula? "Put a little Outkast to it," the soul singer says.

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Music & Culture

Naive, Yet Revolutionary: Ray Davies On 50 Years Of The Kinks

1:13pm December 25, 2014

"I think if I had been an accomplished songwriter I wouldn't have written 'You Really Got Me,' " Davies tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross. Originally broadcast Nov. 26.

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Nick Lowe's Christmas album is called Quality Street. He's currently touring the U.S.

Music & Culture

Nick Lowe Brings His 'Quality Holiday Revue' To America

1:31pm December 22, 2014

"We think it's all a bit vulgar, you know, cashing in on Christmas," Lowe says of the British. He says he took it as a challenge: Quality Street tackles old classics and adds originals to the mix.

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Wexford Carols Brings Irish Holiday Relics To Life

11:39am December 20, 2014

A new Christmas music collection resurrects Irish carols from the 17th century. NPR's Scott Simon talks to singer Caitriona O'Leary and producer Joe Henry about songs both sacred and political.

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Redman onstage at the Best Buy Theater in New York City on November 26th, 2014.

Music & Culture

Redman On Music And Marijuana: Now Is The Time For Some Action

3:23pm December 16, 2014

by Charlie Kaplan

"I think the audience is becoming more aware," he said backstage at the last date of his fall tour with Method Man. "Smarter."

'Pippin' Performs The Final Ballad Of 'The Hobbit'

12:18pm December 14, 2014

Billy Boyd was the hobbit Pippin in The Lord of the Rings films, and he's a musician, too. He talks to NPR's Rachel Martin about writing the last song for the new movie, The Battle of the Five Armies.

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