Lake Street Dive: 'Portraits' Of Heartache
The band prides itself on technique over originality, but is nonetheless passionate about its craft.
Music & Culture
Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing
Another month means another genre-spanning mix of new music chosen by public radio's top DJs. Download new songs by Neko Case, Jason Marsalis, Valerie June, Porter Ray and many other artists.
No Instruments? For Pentatonix, It's No Problem
The latest group to win NBC's a cappella competition The Sing-Off is back with a new album. The group has racked up millions of views on YouTube, but its members say they're more than novelty singers.
Fred Armisen's Fake Bands (And Their Real Songs)
The Saturday Night Live alum's sketches about fictional musicians strike a believable chord. Fitting, then, that the original songs he wrote for them are now getting a proper release.
Acclaimed Jazz Singer Diane Reeves Takes On A Soulful Sound
Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves has partnered with a younger generation of jazz musicians for a new album called Beautiful Life.
Ambrose Akinmusire: 'Music Can Tell You What It Wants To Be'
One of the most talked-about names in jazz, the 32-year-old trumpeter is more auteur than star. In an extended interview, he explains why it's crucial to let his collaborators think for themselves.
A Fresh Vocalist From The Same School As Adele, Winehouse
Zara McFarlane is a young jazz singer from the U.K. who has been compared to Nina Simone. NPR's Jacki Lyden speaks with Zara about her unusual voice technique.
Rapper, Mother, Superstar: Ana Tijoux Finds Her Words
In her latest album, French-Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux finds inspiration in the birth of her child and the complexities of womanhood. She shares her thoughts on making music that's universal.
Box Set Illustrates Clifford Jordan's Impeccable Taste In Musicians
Starting in the late 1960s, the jazz saxophonist produced a series of recordings that came out on the musicians-owned Strata-East label. Those seven albums are now collected in a box set.
Angel Olsen: A Voice Of Confounding Power
Olsen has often been called a folk singer, but Ken Tucker says her new album — her first with a backing band — takes her music into an unclassifiable realm.