Music News

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino Switches Up And Does A Blind Musical Taste Test

7:57am May 14, 2017

Alt.Latino's Felix Contreras challenges NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro to curate this week's music discovery segment. He put together the six tracks and asked Lulu to pick out her favorites.

Salvador Sobral of Portugal smiles as he speaks at a news conference on Saturday after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Amar Pelos Dois" in Kiev, Ukraine.

Salvador Sobral Of Portugal Wins Eurovision Song Contest

4:36am May 14, 2017

by Doreen McCallister

Sobral won with a romantic ballad. He sang on a small elevated circle in the middle of the crowd. The other 25 competitors performed on a wide stage backed by flashing lights and other effects.

Composer Lou Harrison was open to the vividness of other cultures throughout his life. He helped introduce Indonesian gamelan music to the West.

Music & Culture

Lou Harrison, The 'Maverick' Composer With Asia In His Ears

8:04am May 13, 2017

by Tom Huizenga

Routinely labeled an "American maverick," Harrison lovingly brought Eastern traditions and the rugged American West together in his music, blazing new paths and constructing his own instruments.

Wuilly Arteaga plays the violin as tear-gas canisters explode in Caracas, Venezuela.

Tear Gas Doesn't Stop Venezuelan Protester From Playing The Violin

11:05am May 12, 2017

by Gabriela Saldivia

In a video filmed during the ongoing protests in Caracas, 23-year-old Wuilly Arteaga can be seen playing the Venezuelan national anthem as tear gas billows around him.

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The songs of the animated show Bob's Burgers are little jewels of character development and progressive ideals baked into catchy jingles filled with fart jokes.

Music & Culture

The 15 Best Songs From 'The Bob's Burgers Music Album'

10:53am May 12, 2017

by Erin Manning

Music is central to the character of the long-running animated show Bob's Burgers. The 107 songs collected on a new double album showcase the warmth and progressive ideals behind the fart jokes.

Jay Z, performing live for Tidal X in 2015, has a new touring deal to boost his bottom line.

Music & Culture

Jay Z Closer To Billionaire Status With $200 Million Live Nation Deal

8:34am May 12, 2017

by Rodney Carmichael

A new touring deal for the rap mogul could make him hip-hop's new highest earner.

Tensions Between Russia And Ukraine Blend Into Eurovision Contest

8:22am May 12, 2017

by Andrew Jones

The finals of the Eurovision Song Contest are being held on Saturday in Kiev. This year's event is in Ukraine, but tensions with neighboring Russia threaten to overshadow the festivities.

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Music & Culture

The MP3 Is Officially Dead, According To Its Creators

6:52pm May 11, 2017

by Andrew Flanagan

The MP3 upended the way the world receives and hears music, for better and for worse. Now it's dead.

Lori McKenna's latest album, The Bird & The Rifle, is available now.

Music & Culture

Hear The Nominees For This Year's Americana Awards On World Cafe

2:31pm May 10, 2017

by Ann Powers

Nominations for the 2017 Americana Honors & Awards were announced Tuesday. Hear interviews and performances from some of the nominees, including the Drive-By Truckers and Sturgill Simpson.

Sheer Mag's debut album, Need To Feel Your Love, comes out July 14.

Music & Culture

Sheer Mag Share 'Just Can't Get Enough,' Finally Announces Debut Album

10:00am May 10, 2017

by Lars Gotrich

For a band built on short doses, the debut album Need To Feel Your Love is Sheer Mag's chance to spit a little polish on its boots, but just enough to keep the scuff.