Music News

A woman walks through La Perla, a neighborhood on the edge of Old San Juan, in 2017.

Music & Culture

For Those Missing Puerto Rico, A Song About Dreaming Of Home

10:10pm June 20, 2019

by Adrian Florido

The official anthem of the capital city, "En Mi Viejo San Juan" also serves as a nostalgic lament, evoking memories of the island for the many forced to leave it behind.

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Philippe "Zdar" Cerboneschi, left, and Hubert Blanc-Francard, better known as "Boom Bass," performing as Cassius on April 24, 2010 in Paris, France. Cerboneschi died Jun. 19, 2019 in an accident that occurred at his home in Paris.

Music & Culture

Philippe 'Zdar' Cerboneschi, Influential Producer And Electronic Artist, Dead At 52

3:19pm June 20, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The French-born artist was one-half of the lauded dance group Cassius and worked with a long list of big names in the studio, including MC Solaar, the Beastie Boys, Phoenix and Hot Chip.

Caro Arroba describes her music as "tech house Andino."

Music & Culture

World Cafe Latin Roots: 7 Femme-Fronted Andean Electro-Alternative Acts

10:16am June 20, 2019

by Sandra Treviño

Ranging in soundscapes that feature ethno bass, dance floor field recordings and techno, these one-of-a-kind sound artists are giving new life to often forgotten roots music.

The late Tom Petty, playing on the Isle of Wight in England in 2012. According to a recent New York Times investigation, master recordings by Petty may have been destroyed in a 2008 fire.

Music & Culture

Following A Fiery Controversy, Legal Issues Mount For Universal Music

4:36pm June 19, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

After a New York Times investigation was published last week, "dozens" of artists and estates are contemplating filing suits. UMG's head has pledged "transparency" — 11 years after the fire.

Music & Culture

Spoon Releases New Song, 'No Bullets Spent'

10:34am June 19, 2019

by Robin Hilton

The new track, the band's first since 2017, comes ahead of a best-of collection due out July 26 on Matador Records.

Recording artist Meek Mill is seen on April 2 at a Philadelphia gathering to push for changes to Pennsylvania's probation system.

'Wake-Up Call' About A Broken System: New Study Shows Failings Of Probation, Parole

4:22pm June 18, 2019

by Carrie Johnson

The nationwide analysis has concluded that probation and parole violations amount to nearly half of admissions to state prisons. The majority of those violations were minor infractions.

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Music & Culture

Meet Orville Peck, A Man With A Fringed Mask Who Sings Like Elvis

6:35am June 18, 2019

by Peter Granitz

Emerging country musician Orville Peck, who is gay, only appears in public in a cowboy hat and mask, and his voice has earned favorable comparisons to Roy Orbison, Chris Isaak and Elvis Presley.

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Music & Culture

Introducing NPR Music Playlists

12:24pm June 17, 2019

by Lars Gotrich

From the songs played between news stories on-air to the most essential releases out every Friday, we're committing a series of playlists on Spotify and Apple Music, updated every weekday.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians performing at the state capitol, in Annapolis, June 13, to urge Gov. Larry Hogan to release state funding for the financially strapped orchestra.

Music & Culture

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Locks Out Musicians As Contract Dispute Continues

11:41am June 17, 2019

by Tom Huizenga

Contract and salary negotiations between musicians and management have stalled, leaving BSO players picketing outside their concert hall.

Composer Emile Mosseri (left) and director Joe Talbot (right) of The Last Black Man in San Francisco.

The Score Of 'The Last Black Man In San Francisco' Sounds Like No Other In 2019

5:19pm June 16, 2019

by Tim Greiving

The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a whimsical elegy to a fading San Francisco. It features a score by Emile Mosseri that's exuberant and poetic, positioning music front and center in the film.

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