Music & Culture

Sen. Orrin Hatch, photographed during a Senate hearing on music licensing reform on July 12, 2005. Hatch — a songwriter with both a platinum and gold record for his efforts — had his name added to the title of the Music Modernization Act, which passed

Music & Culture

A Music Industry Peace Treaty Passes Unanimously Through Congress

6:11pm September 19, 2018

by Andrew Flanagan

The Music Modernization Act, which brings laws governing music up-to-date and streamlines life for everyone involved, is just about the only thing you could expect a divided Congress to agree on.

Julie Byrne performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Sept. 5, 2018 (Morgan Noelle Smith/NPR).

Music & Culture

Julie Byrne: Tiny Desk Concert

5:33pm September 19, 2018

by Bob Boilen

Julie Byrne's transporting music can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Cathie Ryan.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 1

5:12pm September 19, 2018

Join Fiona Ritchie for a chance to explore highlights from the past decade of radio shows. This week, we feature music and interviews with John Doyle and Cathie Ryan.

Music & Culture

Leon Bridges On World Cafe

1:28pm September 19, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

Although Leon Bridges didn't perform live songs with a band for this session, he required no special prodding to croon a capella during our chat.

Music & Culture

Aaron Lee Tasjan Mixes Yearning Vocals And Strong Guitar On 'Karma For Cheap'

1:21pm September 19, 2018

by Ken Tucker

Tasjan has played in bluegrass festivals and also opened for punk bands. Critic Ken Tucker says regardless of the musical genre, the singer-songwriter's third album "proves its worth."

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Music & Culture

Charly Bliss Takes Us To 'Heaven' In New Single

12:28pm September 19, 2018

by Marissa Lorusso

Get ready to swoon to the power-pop band's first release since last year's charming debut, Guppy.

Scene from Exitmusic's new video for the song "Trumpet's Fade."

Music & Culture

Exitmusic's Eerie New Video An Elegy To Lost Love

12:18pm September 19, 2018

by Mike Katzif

Following the dissolution of their marriage and band, Exitmusic's Aleksa Palladino and Devon Church unleash a gorgeous if haunting storm of images and sound.

Hayley Williams of Paramore performs onstage in Chicago, Ill. in 2013.

Music & Culture

Hayley Williams Is The 21st Century's Pop-Punk Prophet

12:09pm September 19, 2018

by Jenn Pelly

There is no precedent for the Grammy-winning, chart-busting, Hot Topic-surviving Williams, who didn't offer permission so much as show a generation of emo girls they did not have to ask for it.

Music & Culture

Watch Charlotte Gainsbourg Perform 'Sylvia Says' Live In The Studio

11:26am September 19, 2018

by Jason Bentley

Watch veteran performer Charlotte Gainsbourg perform a moody, disco-driven cut from her recent album, Rest.

John Carpenter's Halloween soundtrack comes out Oct. 19.

Music & Culture

John Carpenter's 'Halloween' Theme, But Make It 2018

9:41am September 19, 2018

by Lars Gotrich

In an arrangement that expands the horror, Carpenter's stabbing synths are cut into tiny pieces by quietly piercing beats.