Music & Culture

Carolina to 'Cowboy Carter' and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home

1:22pm April 25, 2025

For musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer, trying to break down doors in the folk and country music scenes has been a long road. A festival in Durham this weekend aims to remedy that.

The Swell Season to release their first album in 16 years

11:55am April 25, 2025

The Irish folk rock duo talk about their forthcoming record, Forward, plus they perform live in the studio.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Merle Haggard reflects on hopping freight trains and becoming a musician

5:00am April 25, 2025

by Terry Gross

Haggard, who died in 2016, spoke to Fresh Air in 1995 about his love of trains. When he became a star, he acquired his own observation car. Now that coach is part of the Virginia Scenic Railway.

Queue Listen Now

2 recent releases celebrate the music and legacy of bass-baritone Paul Robeson

5:00am April 25, 2025

by Lloyd Schwartz

On Robeson, opera singer Davóne Tines pays tribute to the musician often remembered for singing "Ol' Man River." Tines' album pairs well with the 14-CD album Paul Robeson: Voice of Freedom.

Queue Listen Now

Yola's simple, radical act of walking through her life

5:00am April 25, 2025

The big-voiced, unapologetically frank singer-songwriter refuses to be boxed in by genres, and finds joy in the full expression of self.

Our favorite albums of the week

12:01am April 25, 2025

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Ayana Contreras of Denver public radio stations KUVO Jazz and The Drop to discuss today's top new releases.

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Contest: 2025 Fan Favorite Vote

2:57pm April 24, 2025

Vote for your favorite independent artist in this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

David Thomas, Pere Ubu's defiantly original leader, dies at 71

2:33pm April 24, 2025

Formed in 1975, Pere Ubu embodied the industrial decay and hardscrabble ethics of Cleveland. Thomas tied together the band's sound with uncompromising vocals that exuded steely menace and unfettered anguish.

Steve Lehman pays riveting tribute to his mentor on 'The Music of Anthony Braxton'

1:15pm April 24, 2025

by Martin Johnson

NEA Jazz Master Braxton turns 80 this year. Lehman, one of his proteges, has created a tribute that highlights the composer's early work and shows the roads to and from his music.

Queue Listen Now

Fyre Festival's embattled founder is selling the brand: 'It's time to pass the torch'

12:23pm April 24, 2025

Billy McFarland says he will sell the brand "to an operator that can fully realize its vision." The news comes days after the postponement of Fyre Festival 2, which was scheduled for late May.