Music

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice 2015: The Year In The Loud And The Weird

11:12am December 29, 2015

In 2015, Iron Maiden reigned, a once-mysterious sacred music collective returned after 20 years away, and some Olympia punks smashed the patriarchy with a boot to the head.

Life's Many Codas: Maya Shankar's Path From Juilliard To The White House

12:00am December 29, 2015

by NPR Staff

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.

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Music & Culture

20 Feet From DJ

10:30pm December 28, 2015

by Mike Rubin

Remembering one of dance music's secret stars, Diane Charlemagne, amidst the plight of the genre's featured vocalists.

Lemmy Kilmister at the Revolver 2012 Golden Gods Award Show.

Rock Icon Lemmy Of Motörhead Dies At Age 70

9:31pm December 28, 2015

by Laura Wagner

The frontman of the heavy metal band died Monday from an aggressive form of cancer. He learned of the diagnosis just two days ago.

Mbongwana Star rose out the remains of Staff Benda Bilili.

Music & Culture

What Artist Did You Fall In Love With In 2015?

6:47pm December 28, 2015

Three staffers from NPR Music tell Audie Cornish about a futurist Congolese band, a couple of house-music Kiwis in London and the unreleased recordings of a pianist who dated Doris Duke.

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Hear a Purple Disco Machine remix of Boris Dlugosch's "Keep Pushin'" on this week's show.

Music & Culture

Metropolis: 12/26/15

2:18pm December 28, 2015

KCRW's Jason Bentley spins EDM tracks by Purple Disco Machine, ATTLAS and more in this two-hour mix.

Julia Holter performs live in the KEXP studio.

Music & Culture

KEXP Presents: Julia Holter

2:11pm December 28, 2015

by Jacob Webb

The California musician's radiant voice winds through "Feel You" with graceful strength.

So Sad Today's Melissa Broder says The Weeknd's songs are "sexy, though not longing-y on his part, because I feel like he is in control."

Music & Culture

A Rational Conversation: Passing Judgment On Music In 2015 With So Sad Today

1:07pm December 28, 2015

by Eric Ducker

Longing and the fear of failure dominated 2015 for the writer behind the existentially dark Twitter account So Sad Today. Plus: How to manage multiple Spotify playlists!

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino Picks Favorite Songs Of 2015

7:57am December 27, 2015

Felix Contreras and Jasmine Garsd of NPR's Alt.Latino podcast join NPR's Carrie Khan to talk about some of their favorite songs of 2015.

Charlie Belle isn't a person, it's a band: the duo of vocalist/guitarist Jendayi Bonds and her brother, drummer Gyasi Bonds, who released two talked-about EPs this year.

Music & Culture

A Moment With Charlie Belle, Teen Siblings And A Band To Watch

7:57am December 27, 2015

by NPR Staff

Jendayi Bonds and her brother Gyasi are both still in high school, but their music got critics talking in 2015.