Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Paramore's 'After Laughter' Is Something New, Built From Pieces Of The Past

12:45pm May 20, 2017

by Maria Sherman

The fifth album by the one-time pop-punk champions ditches the four-letter qualifier to embrace a classic '80s pop sound. But there's still anxiety beneath the gloss.

BJ Leiderman is the composer of the theme music for Weekend Edition and other public-radio programs.

Music & Culture

BJ Leiderman: 'I'm The Luckiest Composer On The Planet'

8:28am May 20, 2017

He's behind the theme music for public-radio programs like Morning Edition and Marketplace. Now, Leiderman finally has an album of his own: BJ, which features Béla Fleck on several tracks.

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Music & Culture

ICYMI: On His Solo Debut, 'Fantasmas,' Zavala Is A Messenger Of Relief

8:00am May 20, 2017

by Felix Contreras

The Chicago producer ventures into instrumental electronic music that evokes both his home city and the openness of nature.

Benjamin Booker (left) and Hurray For The Riff Raff perform Friday evening as part of Non-Comm 2017.

Music & Culture

Watch Live: Benjamin Booker, Hurray For The Riff Raff, More

6:04pm May 19, 2017

by Rachel Horn

Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, Lo Moon, Holly Macve, The Dream Syndicate and The Growlers will also perform during the final night of Non-Comm 2017. Watch live starting Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

Music & Culture

Dee Dee Bridgewater On Piano Jazz

4:55pm May 19, 2017

The versatile, knowledgeable vocalist joins Marian McPartland for a set of Duke Ellington and Gershwin tunes.

Music & Culture

Music News: Chris Cornell's Death, Fall Of PWR BTTM

4:36pm May 19, 2017

by Jacob Ganz

NPR's Audie Cornish talks to NPR Music Senior Editor Jacob Ganz about death, sexual assault allegations, a failed music festival and the crossover hit at the top of the charts.

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Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #73- Mountains of Music Homecoming and country classics

4:00pm May 19, 2017

by Paul Brown

The Mountains of Music Homecoming is just around the bend. The movable feast of roots music takes place in communities around southwestern Virginia June 9-17.

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The new album from the Philadelphia-based chamber choir The Crossing features music by John Luther Adams.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: The Crossing, 'The White Wind'

2:32pm May 19, 2017

by Tom Huizenga

The Crossing, a new music choir from Philadelphia, communes with nature in John Luther Adams' "holy" ode to the wind, the skies and birds.

Music & Culture

After A Detour, Land Of Talk's Elizabeth Powell Finds A New Way Home

2:25pm May 19, 2017

by Marissa Lorusso

Before Elizabeth Powell of the indie rock band Land Of Talk could make the band's third album, Life After Youth, she had to deal with family illness, losing her voice and a crisis of confidence.

Troker performs at Tiny Desk Concert on April 5, 2017 (Marian Carrasquero/NPR)

Music & Culture

Troker: Tiny Desk Concert

12:26pm May 19, 2017

by Felix Contreras

Mexico may not be known for its jazz, but the young lions of Troker are a promising hope to make the country and its capital city a destination.