Music

Bedouine's self-titled debut comes out June 23.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Bedouine, 'Solitary Daughter'

10:00am May 09, 2017

by Jewly Hight

Los Angeles-based folk singer Azniv Korkejian says her new song, with its melancholic, orchestrated arrangement, is "a rejection of conventional romance; it's not something that I needed."

Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge in a still from their video for "Bone Collector."

Music & Culture

Nashville Regrouping: 10 Inspired Collaborations Out Of Music City

6:00am May 09, 2017

by Jewly Hight

Whether it's pairings of peers, of romantic partners or of patron saints and acolytes — there's a pattern brewing in Nashville that needs attention.

Eight years into his relationship, Perfume Genius' Mike Hadreas says, "it still doesn't feel intuitive. It always feels sort of strange and almost mystical."

Music & Culture

Perfume Genius Is Still Figuring Out How To Be In Love

5:03am May 09, 2017

by Barton Girdwood

Mike Hadreas' new album as Perfume Genius, No Shape, centers on his relationship with boyfriend Alan Wyffels. The couple tells NPR's Rachel Martin about making music as recovering addicts and gay men.

Sir Mix-a-Lot in 2016, performing in Texas as part of the "(Baby Got) Back to the 90's" concert tour.

Music & Culture

Sir Mix-a-Lot On 25 Years Of 'Baby Got Back'

5:53pm May 08, 2017

by Andrew Limbong

"It was like a blown-out, glorified version of what was actually being said at that time," the rapper says of the butt-positive single that inspired controversy, parody and some genuine gratitude.

Queue Listen Now

Violinist Adrian Pintea, from The Julliard School, plays a 1729 Stradivari known as the "Solomon, Ex-Lambert" in 2007 at Christie's in New York.

Is A Stradivarius Violin Easier To Hear? Science Says Nope

5:34pm May 08, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

Old Italian violins like those made by Stradivari are famous for their ability to project their sound. But a study found people in a blind test thought new violins projected better than old ones.

Queue Listen Now

Dolly Parton during the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards show at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2017.

Music & Culture

Dolly Parton Provides Fire Victims 'Shoulder To Lean On'

4:45pm May 08, 2017

by Andrew Flanagan

Parton set up the fund hours after the wildfire had ravaged her home state.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood performs live for Mountain Stage.

Music & Culture

Chris Robinson Brotherhood On Mountain Stage

1:17pm May 08, 2017

The psychedelic rock outfit led by the former Black Crowes singer performs a set recorded live at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, W.Va.

Music & Culture

Hundred Waters Tease Third Album With Emotional 'Particle'

12:31pm May 08, 2017

by Lars Gotrich

Hundred Waters' music tugs like a loose thread, every shifting emotion illuminated by synths and beats that tug just a little harder. The electronic trio's currently finishing up its third album.

Aimee Mann performs at Tiny Desk Concert on Apr. 20, 2017 (Marian Carrasquero/NPR)

Music & Culture

Aimee Mann: Tiny Desk Concert

11:11am May 08, 2017

by Bob Boilen

"This song is called 'You Never Loved Me' — it's another cheery, optimistic number," says Aimee Mann, introducing the second of four songs in this Tiny Desk Concert.

Music & Culture

Big Thief's 'Shark Smile': A Sweet, Rambling Rocker About A Car Wreck

10:22am May 08, 2017

by Lars Gotrich

"'Shark Smile' is the story of a car accident in which one dies and one lives," singer and guitarist Adrianne Lenker says about Big Thief's new song.