Music & Culture

Loretta Lynn campaigned for both Bush presidents. She's shown here with President George W. Bush in 2000 in Little Rock, Ark.

How Loretta Lynn, country music and a rural Republican tide changed U.S. politics

5:00am October 08, 2022

by Ron Elving

At the peak of her fame in the 1960s and 1970s, Lynn was part of a key change in the politics of country music — a change akin to the shifting partisan leanings of the music's most loyal fans.

Cate Blanchett plays a world-renowned conductor in the film Tár.

In 'Tár,' a brilliant but manipulative conductor orchestrates everyone around her

4:57pm October 07, 2022

by Justin Chang

Cate Blanchett learned to conduct, play the piano and speak German for this thought-provoking film about genius and the abuse of power.

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Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) and Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) in Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers on Disney+.

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

4:33pm October 07, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: the novel Thistlefoot, "Blessed" by GloRilla, Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers and more.

Composer and trumpeter Etienne Charles, in a portrait taken inside the newly renovated David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center.

Revisiting San Juan Hill, the neighborhood destroyed to make way for Lincoln Center

4:17pm October 07, 2022

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

In New York City, the area dominated by Lincoln Center was formerly home to Black and Puerto Rican communities. Etienne Charles' new musical work addresses that difficult past.

Carla Morrison performs a Tiny Desk concert.

Music & Culture

Carla Morrison: Tiny Desk Concert

2:12pm October 07, 2022

by Felix Contreras

The Mexican singer-songwriter gives a mesmerizing and emotional El Tiny performance.

The new interior of David Geffen Hall, during a New York Philharmonic tuning session.

Stripped to the bones: Why a new NYC concert hall sounds so much better

1:50pm October 07, 2022

by Jeff Lunden

The new David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center, home of the New York Philharmonic, opens this week. And while the outside is the same, everything inside has changed.

Music & Culture

Tom Waits says some songs just demand to be sung in a particular way

1:46pm October 07, 2022

by Terry Gross

Wait's two lyrical concept albums, Blood Money and Alice, are being reissued on vinyl for their 20th Anniversary. We listen back to archival interviews with the musician, broadcast in 2002 and 2011.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Smino backstage at A Hot Summer Night In L.A at Crypto.com Arena on June 24, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Interscope)

Music & Culture

Heat Check Roundup: Smino, Ayra Starr, Ghais Guevara and more

3:46pm October 06, 2022

This week's Heat Check selects come largely from iconoclasts who have already zeroed in on their individual aesthetics: a singsong rap soulman, an alté sensation, a noise-rap radical and more.

Music & Culture

WILLOW, 'Split'

2:31pm October 06, 2022

by Jerusalem Truth

On the earnest and angsty rock ballad, WILLOW embodies the rock star she was destined to be.

Music & Culture

With new makeup line, you too can look like heavy metal's Prince of Darkness

5:57am October 06, 2022

In heavy metal, heavy eye liner is almost part of the gig. So maybe it's not surprising that Ozzy Osbourne is launching his own cosmetic line. Eye shadow palettes are shaped like bats and coffins.

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