Music

Music & Culture

Encore: Compilation Of Old Tunes Is 'An Alternate History Of The World's Music'

4:27pm June 14, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro looks back on his talk with Jonathan Ward on his 100-track compilation of early recordings from around the world called Excavated Shellac: An Alternate History of the World's Music.

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Music & Culture

Cher Strauberry, The First Trans Woman In Pro Skating, Releases Her Debut Punk Album

7:07am June 14, 2021

Scott Detrow speaks to Cher Strauberry about her debut album, "Chering is Caring" and about the challenges of coming out as the first trans woman in the world of professional skateboarding.

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Joseph Keckler performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Joseph Keckler: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am June 14, 2021

by Marissa Lorusso

The classically trained singer, performance artist and writer turns his Tiny Desk (home) concert into a showcase of his dynamism as a performer.

Music & Culture

Wolfgang Van Halen Is A One Man Band In Debut Album

8:05am June 12, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Wolfgang Van Halen, son of late guitarist Eddie Van Halen, about his new band Mammoth WVH, and its self-titled debut album.

Tania León is a Cuban-born American composer who won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her piece Stride.

Music & Culture

Tania León Wins Music Pulitzer For 'Stride,' Celebrating Women's Resilience

6:00pm June 11, 2021

by Tom Huizenga

The revered Cuban composer's winning piece was inspired by the life and struggles of Susan B. Anthony and her own poor mother and grandmother in Cuba.

Music & Culture

VINCINT's Debut Album Is A Vulnerable Soundtrack For Newly Reopened Dancefloors

4:29pm June 11, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with VINCINT, who's highly-anticipated debut album There Will Be Tears is simultaneously vulnerable and danceable.

Betty Who is an Australian-American singer-songwriter.

Music & Culture

Betty Who's 5 Favorite Tiny Desk Concerts

12:31pm June 11, 2021

by Betty Who

Musician and Tiny Desk alum Betty Who picks her top Tiny Desks.

"Solar Power," Lorde's first new song since 2017, is a celebration of sun, sand and saltwater.

Music & Culture

Lorde Drops Surprise New Song, 'Solar Power,' And Music Video

9:32pm June 10, 2021

by Alex Ramos

The New Zealand singer and songwriter, who hasn't released new music since her 2017 album Melodrama, said the song is the first sample of a forthcoming album, also called Solar Power.

Music & Culture

Eric Church On Mountain Stage

3:50pm June 10, 2021

by Dave Lavender

Nashville-based musician Eric Church wows his fans — the "Church Choir" — at Mountain Stage performance from 2008.

Raine Stern entered the 2021 Tiny Desk Contest with the song "Touchin' Don't Feel Right"

Music & Culture

The Best 2021 Tiny Desk Contest Entries We Saw This Week: Volume 3

12:27pm June 10, 2021

The 2021 Tiny Desk Contest closed for entries on June 7; now, our judges are looking for a winner. Our recent favorite entries include summery Latin trap, slow-burning blues, shimmering emo and more.