Music & Culture

Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman playing in New York in 2009.

Music & Culture

Itzhak Perlman On Canceling In North Carolina: 'I Had To'

3:51pm May 18, 2016

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

Like Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and others, the renowned violinist has canceled a North Carolina appearance over a law limiting civil rights protections for LGBT people.

"I just want to make stuff that feels humble and natural and 'right' and comes from somewhere other than just my brain," says Will Sheff of Okkervil River.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Okkervil River, 'Okkervil River R.I.P.'

3:00pm May 18, 2016

by David Dye

"I'm trying to correct mistakes I made before and do it right," Will Sheff says of his forthcoming album, Away. The opening track is a gorgeous seven-minute ride of reflection and metaphor.

Children of Bodom is one of the many bands in Finland's vibrant — and unique — heavy metal scene.

President Obama Is Familiar With Finland's Heavy Metal Scene. Are You?

8:18am May 18, 2016

by NPR Staff

Obama commended the country's prolific metal scene while speaking with European Nordic leaders. "Finland is making the weirdest heavy metal imaginable," Decibel editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian says.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

'Morning Edition' Sci-Fi Theme Is Out Of This World

5:02am May 18, 2016

Morning Edition issued listeners a challenge: record your own version of the show's theme. Renee Montagne and Mary Louise Kelly share a retro Sci-Fi version — one of many submitted by listeners.

Emilio Navaira during the 4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Miami in 2003. The musician has died at the age of 53.

Music & Culture

Tejano Music Legend Emilio Navaira Dies At 53

8:51pm May 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Navaira — known to many as just "Emilio" — was a star in both English and Spanish, and in both the U.S. and Mexico. He was found unconscious at his house on Monday night, police say.

Nashville Singer-Songwriter Guy Clark Dies At 74

5:59pm May 17, 2016

by Melissa Block

Guy Clark, one of Nashville's most renowned singer-songwriters, has died at the age of 74. This profile of Clark originally aired on July 23, 2013, on All Things Considered.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones On World Cafe

4:37pm May 17, 2016

The duo sings exquisite homages to late-'50s and early-'60s pop. Hear the conversation and performance.

Tejano Music King Emilio Navaira Dies At 53

4:29pm May 17, 2016

by Andrew Limbong

The king of Tejano music has died. Emilio Navaira passed away suddenly Monday night at the age of 53. Along with Selena, Navaira was credited with making Tejano music mainstream in the 1990s.

Music & Culture

Remembering Country Craftsman Guy Clark

4:09pm May 17, 2016

Listen back to the late Grammy-winning Americana songwriter's interviews and performances on World Cafe.

Clockwise from upper left: My Morning Jacket, Haley Bonar, The 1975, SOAK

Music & Culture

New Mix: The 1975, SOAK Covers Led Zeppelin, A Home Demo From My Morning Jacket, More

3:54pm May 17, 2016

Host Bob Boilen rejoins co-host Robin Hilton for this week's essential mix of new music, tales from Bob's week on the road and a heart-stopping amount of coffee.

Queue Listen Now