Music

"In the metal community, there's a fascination with the tangible aspect of things," says Albert Mudrian, editor of metal magazine Decibel.

Music & Culture

It's Thin, It's Plastic, It's Back: Flexi Discs Find New Fans

7:14pm April 20, 2015

by Allyson McCabe

In the '60s, the cheap music format was stocked in vending machines and embossed on cereal boxes. Now, magazines like Decibel and bands like Deerhoof are reviving the once-dead flexi disc.

Queue Listen Now

Noah Wall recorded Live at Guitar Center in Manhattan, but really, it could have been in any showroom.

Music & Culture

Live At Guitar Center: A Lot Of Noise And A Little Fun

6:59pm April 20, 2015

by NPR Staff

New York musician Noah Wall surreptitiously recorded amateurs fiddling with guitars, pianos, keyboards, drums and more at a Guitar Center. He captured a lot of bad music and some wild ambition.

Queue Listen Now

Alabama Shakes' new album, Sound & Color, is powered by more than just the vocals of Brittany Howard.

Music & Culture

'Sound & Color' A Bold Leap Forward For Alabama Shakes

6:27pm April 20, 2015

by Tom Moon

On their new album, the band's backing musicians match the intensity of lead singer Brittany Howard.

Queue Listen Now

Charles Lloyd's new album is Wild Man Dance.

Music & Culture

Jazz's 'Sound Seeker' Finds Ancient Strings From Hungary And Greece

11:59am April 20, 2015

by NPR Staff

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd has built his career on merging musical styles, places and times. For his latest album, the newly minted NEA Jazz Master worked in two old European instruments.

Queue Listen Now

Asad Ali, 63, was unemployed for four years when Pakistan clamped down on live music in 1977. He now plays the guitar for Sachal Studios Orchestra around the globe and in his hometown, Lahore.

In 'Song Of Lahore,' A Race To Revive Pakistani Classical Music

10:23am April 20, 2015

by Linda Poon

In 1977, classical music virtually died in Pakistan when the government decried music and film. Seven musicians are working to bring the art back, and a film premiering Saturday documents their quest.

Sun Hi (Megan Lee), Jodi (Louriza Tronco) and Corki (Erika Tham) star in Make It Pop.

Music & Culture

How The South Korean Government Made K-Pop A Thing

6:57am April 20, 2015

by Kat Chow

K-pop — or Korean pop — makes its latest move toward the center of American pop culture with Nickelodeon's new show, Make It Pop. But beyond "Gangnam Style," how did K-pop evolve?

Queue Listen Now

System of a Down is made up of four Los Angelenos of Armenian descent. This spring, they'll play their first-ever concert in their ethnic homeland.

Music & Culture

System Of A Down, Armenia's Favorite Sons, On Facing History

6:33pm April 19, 2015

by NPR Staff

The band is performing in its ethnic homeland for the first time, on the centennial of the Armenian genocide. Singer Serj Tankian says that as historical events go, this one couldn't be more personal.

Queue Listen Now

A customer walks in the Record Collector store in Sheffield, England, Friday. Hundreds of independent record stores are putting on special promotions for Saturday's Record Store Day.

Music & Culture

It's Record Store Day – Here Are Pictures To Prove It

5:09pm April 18, 2015

by Bill Chappell

From new releases to vintage finds, people have been posting photos of their favorite albums and record stores Saturday.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Bill Arhos, 'Austin City Limits' Founder, Dies At 80

10:05pm April 17, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Terry Lickona, executive producer of Austin City Limits, about the life and legacy of the show's founder, Bill Arhos. Arhos died Saturday at 80.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' Breaks Spotify Streaming Record

7:40pm April 16, 2015

by Andrew Limbong

The song by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth broke the record this week for Spotify streams in a single day with 4.2 million plays.

Queue Listen Now