Music Interviews

The Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters founder says he wouldn't be the musician he is today if not for one piece of equipment in a now-shuttered L.A. studio. Rediscovering it, and connecting with other musicians who shared the honor, is the subject of his new documentary, Sound City: Reel to Real.

Frontman Craig Minowa talks about tragedy in his past and how the group's new album, Love, reflects his own healing process.

Some lush and sexy music videos were all listeners knew of the the soulful pop duo — until recently. NPR's Celeste Headlee speaks with Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal as they prepare to release their debut album as Rhye.

For nearly half a century, the British guitarist and songwriter has created music that's both beautiful and haunting. Here, Thompson discusses his new album, Electric, and performs selections from it live in the studio.

Natalie Stewart, best known as half of the British duo Floetry, discusses that group's breakup and her new solo album.

The Richmond, Va., neighborhood of Fulton was once home to a large number of the city's middle class African-American families. But by the 1960s, it had fallen on hard times. A new album by bluesman Corey Harris pays tribute to the Southern neighborhood with a haunted past.

Playing frozen instruments requires lots of improvisation. Norwegian musician Terje Isungset has a new set for every performance, freshly made to get the most sound out of each instrument before it melts.

Working as a DJ at his local radio station in 1981, NPR's Don Gonyea snagged the interview of a lifetime. Johnny Cash stopped to answer questions before taking the stage at the Monroe County Fair in Michigan.

The man who wrote "The Charleston" also had orchestral music played at Carnegie Hall. Baltimore Symphony conductor Marin Alsop retraces her detective work in uncovering lost symphonic works by jazz piano pioneer James P. Johnson.

Rock writer Jonathan Cott met John Lennon in 1968 and formed a working relationship with him, as well as with Yoko Ono, that would span more than two decades. Cott was the last journalist to interview Lennon, just three days before the singer was killed.