The White Mandingos: Music That Defies Definition
Three black musicians — a punk bassist, an L.A. rapper and a part-time guitarist — took on a name with ugly associations to make music that can't be categorized.
Music Interviews
Samberg, Taccone And Schaffer: Three's Not A Lonely Island
As the brains behind the hip-hop parody group responsible for digital shorts like "D--- in a Box," Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer have produced some of the funniest Saturday Night Live material in recent memory. Here, they talk about comedy, Yo! MTV Raps and adolescence.
AlunaGeorge Finds A Natural Groove, By Accident
George Reid and Aluna Francis have become darlings of the European festival circuit, making soulful, beat-savvy music as AlunaGeorge. The two musicians first met to write material for Francis' old band, but soon found they had a chemistry all their own.
Guy Clark, Music's Master Craftsman, On Making Songs Last
A friend and inspiration to the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris, Clark creates songs with the same precision and attention to detail he uses when he's building guitars. NPR's Melissa Block visits the songwriting legend at his home in Nashville,n Tenn.
Hüsker Dü's Timekeeper Finds A Lost Paradise
Grant Hart has had an enigmatic career since his days drumming for the influential punk trio. His latest project is an ambitious double album, based on an unpublished work by his friend, the late William S. Burroughs.
Robert Randolph Ushers In Steel-Guitar Soul With 'Lickety Split'
As a kid, Randolph always saw himself as a steel-guitar rock star. Now, the 33-year-old frontman has released a soulful new album with a twist on gospel music.
Daughn Gibson: Story Songs Born Of An Odd-Job Life
Gibson is a spiritual heir of Johnny Cash: a deep-voiced country singer whose songs are filled with characters of questionable morality — or just pure evil.
Yiddish Preservationists Take Their Subject To The Stage
The An-sky Yiddish Heritage Ensemble, a musical quartet, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the historic An-sky expeditions by playing rare Yiddish folk songs.
George Benson Follows The Path Of His 'Unforgettable' Idol
Benson and the late Nat King Cole have a lot in common: Both started as acclaimed jazz instrumentalists, but became pop stars when they started singing. Cole was a huge influence on Benson, and the guitarist — who turned 70 this spring — pays tribute on his latest album.
Emmylou Harris And Rodney Crowell: Harmonizing To That 'Old Yellow Moon'
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell have been friends and collaborators since they first met in 1974. While they always wanted to make an album together, they never did until recently. Old Yellow Moon includes songs by Crowell, Patti Scialfa, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson among others.