Music Interviews

Music & Culture

First Listen: Hüsker Dü, 'Savage Young Dü' (Disc Three)

7:59am September 05, 2017

Through the '80s, Minneapolis three-piece Hüsker Dü helped broaden the ambitions and parameters of punk rock. Now, after years of work, its early recordings have been rebuilt from the ground up.

Music & Culture

Billy Bragg On Skiffle, The Movement That Brought Guitar To British Radio

1:56pm September 04, 2017

The singer describes skiffle as "a bunch of British school boys in the mid '50s playing Lead Belly's repertoire ... on acoustic guitars." Originally broadcast July 19, 2017.

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Composer Morton Feldman at the piano, ca. 1963.

Music & Culture

Turn It Down: Morton Feldman's Silent Revolution

10:00am September 04, 2017

by Tom Huizenga

If you've never heard For Bunita Marcus, pianist Marc-André Hamelin predicts it'll be either the most aggravating thing you've ever heard, or the best migraine medicine you've ever had.

Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Rocker Joey Ramone

3:40pm September 01, 2017

The Ramones helped launch the punk rock scene in the mid 1970s with songs that were short, fast and loud. In 1988, lead singer Joey Ramone spoke to Terry Gross about the band's history.

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Lead singer/guitarist Rob Grote of The Districts, performing at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

Music & Culture

The Districts On World Cafe

2:57pm September 01, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

Hear a live performance of songs from the band's latest album, Popular Manipulations, and a chat with lead singer Rob Grote and guitarist Pat Cassidy.

James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. The band is back with a new album, American Dream, six years after they bid farewell with a huge show at Madison Square Garden.

Music & Culture

It's Happened: LCD Soundsystem Is Back With 'American Dream'

6:40am September 01, 2017

Writer Lizzy Goodman, who interviewed frontman James Murphy extensively for her book Meet Me In The Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011, discusses the band's return.

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Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Drummer And Composer Max Roach

2:20pm August 31, 2017

Considered one of the inventors of modern jazz drumming, Roach helped formulate the language of bebop, along with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. Originally broadcast in 1988.

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Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Jazz Singer Anita O'Day

2:20pm August 31, 2017

O'Day first became known in 1941 when she joined Gene Krupa's band. Later, she later sang with Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman and many other small groups. Originally broadcast in 1987.

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Music & Culture

Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Big Band Pianist Jay McShann

2:20pm August 31, 2017

A native of Oklahoma, McShann came to Kansas City, Mo., in 1937, when it was the capital for boogie-woogie, blues and swing. He spoke to Terry Gross in 1987, and also played a few songs in the studio.

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Music & Culture

Robyn Hitchcock On World Cafe

1:29pm August 31, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

The U.K. singer-songwriter performs songs from his slick, surrealist self-titled album.