Music Interviews

The Milk Carton Kids has already become a standard bearer for a new generation of folk artists and harmony duos.

Music & Culture

The Milk Carton Kids Answers Its Own Question: 'What Even Is Americana?'

9:30am January 30, 2020

The duo poked fun at the genre when hosting the 2018 Americana Music Awards, but they hold a deep respect for its musical traditions. Their latest album, The Only Ones, continues to build on them.

Leif Vollebekk performing live for World Cafe

Music & Culture

Leif Vollebekk Sees His Song 'Hot Tears' As Yellow

1:29pm January 29, 2020

The Canadian songwriter explains what it's like being a musician with synesthesia, meaning he can see sounds.

From left to right, Mick Jones, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon of The Clash, circa 1980. The band's classic album London Calling was released in the United States 40 years ago this month.

Music & Culture

'London Calling' At 40: Greil Marcus Revisits His Original Review

6:15pm January 28, 2020

by Art Silverman

"Rough. Funny. Expansive." That's how critic Greil Marcus described The Clash's album on our program in 1980. We brought him back to ask if he stands by his original review.

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Amy Rigby played with Last Roundup and The Shams before she began her solo career.

Music & Culture

'I Was Singing For My Life': Amy Rigby On Mixing Music And Motherhood

1:10pm January 28, 2020

by Terry Gross

Rigby's memoir, Girl to City, tracks how a Catholic girl from Pittsburgh became part of the New York punk scene — and invented and reinvented herself as a performer, songwriter and a mother.

Music & Culture

Encore: Tanya Tucker Is Back

4:11pm January 27, 2020

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with country musician Tanya Tucker about putting out her first solo album in more than 10 years. It's called While I'm Livin'. She won two Grammys for it Sunday night.

Tyler Childers outside the World Cafe Performance Studio

Music & Culture

Tyler Childers Is Passionate About The Country Music Tradition

12:56pm January 27, 2020

Though his music is sometimes called Americana, Tyler Childers rejects that label. "I don't know what it's called, but I've been calling it country," he says in this session.

Left to right: Fafa Ruffino, Mamani Keita, Niariu and Kandy Guira are members of the collective Les Amazones d'Afrique. Their new album, Amazones Power, is out now.

Music & Culture

West African Supergroup Les Amazones D'Afrique Returns With 'Amazones Power'

6:03pm January 26, 2020

The album mixes intoxicating, danceable rhythms and a message calling out violence and other forms of mistreatment of women all over the globe.

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Rare, Selena Gomez's first new album in over four years, is out now. "When you take that long of a break, it is pretty nerve-wracking," she says.

Music & Culture

Selena Gomez On Recapturing Her Public Image, Mental Health And Her No. 1 Album

10:19am January 26, 2020

In the space between 2015's Revival and her latest release, Gomez has battled Lupus, depression and anxiety, and had two high profile breakups — all while millions followed along on social media.

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A scene from the 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning opera p r i s m, by Ellen Reid.

Music & Culture

Opera For Newbies: Busting Myths And Belting High Notes

7:56am January 26, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

A listener's guide for the opera-curious includes a little history, a little trash-talk and some gorgeous singing.

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(L-R) Tanya, Rachel and Petra Haden. "We usually just naturally gravitate towards a harmony," Tanya says.

Music & Culture

On Their Latest Album, The Haden Triplets Sing 'The Family Songbook'

7:54am January 25, 2020

The daughters of accomplished upright bassist Charlie Haden have reached back even further for inspiration on their latest album, drawing influence from the country roots of their grandfather.

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