Meet the musicians investing their time in mentoring the next generation
NPR's Scott Simon speaks with conductor Marin Alsop and violinist Nema Robinson about the importance of mentoring young musicians.
Music & Culture
Skateboarders, weavers, kite makers: A Smithsonian party for 'Indigenous voices'
This year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival featured "Indigenous Voices of the Americas" and was full of surprises — like Bolivian women skateboarding in traditional garb — bowler hats and poofy skirts.
For David Byrne, Talking Heads was about making emotional sense — not literal sense
In November 2023, Byrne spoke about the 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense and described the band's hit song "Burning Down the House" as a compilation of "non-sequiturs" with an emotional impact.
70 years ago Elvis recorded what would become his first hit single
Elvis Presley recorded his first single on July 5, 1954: "That's All Right." We offer an appreciation of not only Elvis's performance but also the man who wrote that song, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup.
The women who earned 6 of the Top 10 positions on the Billboard album chart
Women are dominating the charts, from established singers like Taylor Swift, to newer chart topper Charli XCX.
Take a sneak peek into a legendary songwriter's creative process
The Library of Congress has acquired the papers of Leslie Bricusse, the songwriter who gave us "Pure Imagination," "What Kind of Fool Am I?," "Goldfinger" and "Talk to the Animals."
Kesha's independence day: The pop artist releases her first single on her own label
NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with music writer and critic Alim Kheraj about Kesha's first single since splitting from mega-producer Dr. Luke's record label.
'I can only give the best': Jon Bon Jovi on vocal surgery and the road to recovery
A few years ago, Bon Jovi stopped performing due to a vocal cord injury. The Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight highlights his surgery and return to stage. Originally broadcast April 24, 2024.
Listen to a mini-concert with Sam Evian
The New York-based instrumentalist performs songs from his latest album, Plunge.
Love songs are changing. What today's love songs say about us
The pop charts used to be dominated by romantic love songs. Not so much anymore. Where did our love go?