Music Interviews

"This was one of the most memorable [performances]," conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin says of the Philadelphia Orchestra's March 12 concert, played to empty hall.

Music & Culture

'This Is Why We Play': Amid Pandemic, Philadelphia Orchestra Livestreams Beethoven

7:04am March 20, 2020

by Terry Gross

The Philadelphia Orchestra has shuttered its doors in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin reflects on their final performance — streamed for people at home.

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Little Big. From left: David 'DJ' Ginyard (bass), Tommy Crane (drums), Aaron Parks (piano) and Greg Tuohey (guitar). The band will release its second studio album, Little Big II: Dreams of a Mechanical Man, on May 8.

Music & Culture

'Solace' Amidst The 'Deeply Odd': Pianist Aaron Parks On Releasing A Record Right Now

9:26am March 19, 2020

by Nate Chinen

The virtuoso is planning to release a new album with his band Little Big in a little more than a month. The timing couldn't be more surreal.

Left to right: Jennifer Koh, Molly Kirk Palier and Rory Ferreira

Music & Culture

From Symphony Orchestras To Wedding Bands, Musicians Cope With The Coronavirus

5:19pm March 18, 2020

Bigger artists may count on fan support and labels to carry them through canceled tours, but working musicians — from orchestra members and wedding singers to indie rappers — are looking elsewhere.

Best Coast performing live for World Cafe

Music & Culture

'Everything Has Changed' For Best Coast

2:15pm March 18, 2020

10 years after her band's debut made her an indie darling, Bethany Cosentino is ready to put some of those early 20s demons — pessimism, depression, instability — to bed.

Laura Benanti performs in Washington in 2015. She recently asked high school students to send her videos of their musical theater performances after many of them were canceled.

A Broadway Star And #SunshineSongs Bring High School Musical Theater To Small Screens

1:37pm March 17, 2020

High school musicals are canceled around the country over coronavirus concerns. Broadway star Laura Benanti asked disappointed high school singers for the next best thing: performance videos.

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Angelica Garcia's new album, Cha Cha Palace, is a celebration of her Mexican and Salvadoran roots and her childhood on the eastern edge of Los Angeles.

Music & Culture

Angelica Garcia On Embracing Her Identities With 'Cha Cha Palace'

6:12am March 17, 2020

NPR's Noel King speaks with the singer-songwriter about her new album, a love letter to her Mexican and Salvadoran roots as well to as her childhood on the eastern edge of Los Angeles.

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Guitarist Adrian Quesada (left) and vocalist Eric Burton from the Texas soul-rock band Black Pumas.

Music & Culture

Music: Black Pumas

11:49pm March 15, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with vocalist Eric Burton and guitarist Adrian Quesada from the Texas soul-rock band Black Pumas.

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La Doña's music is a blend of Bay Area hip-hop, reggaeton and traditional Mexican and Latin American musical styles. Her new EP Algo Nuevo is out now.

Music & Culture

La Doña On 'Algo Nuevo,' Feminist Reggaeton And Teaching Mariachi In Schools

7:54am March 15, 2020

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks to the San Francisco-based artist about her debut EP, as well as teaching folks traditions in public schools and her style of music she calls "femmeton."

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Ballaké Sissoko, Driss El Maloumi and Rajery are masters of three different stringed instruments from three different African cultures. Together, they are a trio called 3MA.

Music & Culture

3 Musicians, 51 Strings: 3MA On Redefining African Musical Traditions

8:14am March 14, 2020

by Betto Arcos

Ballaké Sissoko made headlines last month after his instrument was irreparably damaged in airline transit. The music that his band, 3MA, makes has a larger impact beyond just a tiff with the TSA.

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Soccer Mommy inside the World Cafe Performance Studio.

Music & Culture

Soccer Mommy Is In Control

2:28pm March 13, 2020

Sophie Allison has a keen understanding of how music works – not just the technical intricacies, but how it all fits together, too.