2015: Looking Back On A Year At The Tiny Desk
This year, NPR Music published 84 sessions from behind Bob Boilen's desk. From a 23-piece band to a lone guitarist to a massive dance party, here are 15 highlights.
Music
A Rational Conversation: Rembert Browne On Music In 2015, Even During The Hard Times
The writer-at-large for New York magazine discusses the year that saw the rise of Fetty Wap and Young Thug, Snapchat vs. Twitter and Meek Mill vs. Drake. Plus: continuous devastation.
In The Podcast World, Some Music Students Seek A Career Gateway
One of the nation's most prestigious music schools is filling classes with students whose work will likely never make them famous.
Alabama Shakes, Live At Austin City Limits
Watch Brittany Howard and band lay into the heady soul ballad "Joe" at their headlining ACL performance, in advance of the show's 41st season premiere.
Spotify Faces Class Action For Copyright Infringement
The lawsuit alleges that the streaming music service fails to properly compensate artists for the right to reproduce or distribute recordings. It's the latest in the ongoing debate over streaming.
Life's Many Codas: Maya Shankar's Path From Juilliard To The White House
Shankar was well on her way to an extraordinary career as a violinist when an injury closed that door. This week, we look at how she wound up at the top of another field: the social sciences.
In Exile, Burundian Musicians Create Out Of Crisis
Political violence in the African nation of Burundi has forced an estimated 200,000 people to flee. Some are musicians who are bringing the country's diverse styles together in one band.
World Cafe's Best Of 2015
Hear highlights of concerts and studio sessions recorded live for World Cafe this year.
A Rational Conversation: Sadie Dupuis Of Speedy Ortiz Looks Back On Music In 2015
The lead singer of the rock band Speedy Ortiz talks the albums that lingered in her memory. Plus: the power of controlling the means of production and making rock clubs into safe spaces.
DJ Earworm's Year-End Mashup Hits A Nostalgic Groove
"I knew I needed to get the vibe that was a lot more emotional than it was a few years ago," the mashup artist says of 2015's pop concoction.