Walter Martin Remembers Art History Class With 'Arts + Leisure'
The Walkmen musician has gone solo with his new record. It's a song cycle inspired what Martin calls his "shaky grasp of college art history."
Music
Vân-Ánh Võ's 'The Odyssey' Tells Refugee Stories Past And Present
Võ's music blends Vietnamese and Western traditions. Her new multimedia stage work was inspired by people who fled Vietnam in 1979, as well as those fleeing wars today in Syria and Iraq.
With 'MartyrLoserKing,' Saul Williams Aimed To Make A Modern-Day Parable
The writer, poet, activist and musician joins Rachel Martin to discuss his latest album, the story of a hacker living in resource-rich Central Africa.
Latitudes: Our Favorite Global Music Right Now
Feisty, hypnotic dance music from southern Italy, rollicking guitar licks from Niger and a tribute to an Indian dance legend.
Behind The Music: Bernie Sanders
No, this isn't a parody: The presidential candidate has a folk album. The producer of the 1987 recording gives NPR a glimpse inside the studio — and explains the then-mayor's "talking-blues approach."
Anderson .Paak: 'The Dot Stands For Detail'
"I feel that people take you as serious as you take yourself," he says. The rapper-singer's Malibu has received more attention since Anderson .Paak's stellar performances on Dr. Dre's Compton.
Walter Martin Remembers Art History Class With 'Arts And Leisure'
Former musician from the band The Walkmen, Walter Martin has gone solo with an interesting new record. It's an amusing song cycle that covers what he calls his "shaky grasp of college art history."
'Downton Abbey' Composer Explains Theme Choices
For six seasons, the elegant, orchestral tone of the beloved TV series has been set by Scottish composer John Lunn, who has won two Primetime Emmys for the show's music.
Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing
Hear new songs by Mavis Staples, M. Ward, Villagers and more in this month's mix, expertly curated by 10 public-radio hosts.
'This Song Is Uncomfortable': Macklemore On The Contradictions Of 'White Privilege'
The rapper says he knew that releasing a nine-minute song that called out his own privilege would — and should — be seen by some as an unwelcome co-opting of the Black Lives Matter movement.