Music

Rickie Lee Jones performs on Saturday Night Live in 1982, the year after she released her second album, Pirates.

Music & Culture

Rickie Lee Jones On The Pirates Who Inspired 'Pirates' And Returning To New Orleans

12:09pm July 26, 2017

by Alison Fensterstock

The second album by Rickie Lee Jones was released in 1981, following a breakup and the response to Jones' Grammy-winning debut, and gets its name and its concept from a band of local drug smugglers.

Lomelda's new album, Thx, comes out September 8.

Music & Culture

Hear Lomelda's 'Out There,' Inspired By Distance And A Fake Story About Elliott Smith

12:00pm July 26, 2017

by Marissa Lorusso

Texas-based songwriter Hannah Read says she spent several years trying to write the song, inspired by a tall tale her brother would tell about Smith. "'Out There' is about never knowing," Read says.

A still from Iron & Wine's new video, 'Thomas County Law.'

Music & Culture

For 'Thomas County Law,' Iron & Wine's Sam Beam Presides Over His Own Funeral

11:58am July 26, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

The gently rendered ballad's video finds frontman Sam Beam decorating a church and giving a eulogy for his own (unattended) funeral.

Hip Hop deejays Stretch Armstrong (right) aka Adrian Bartos and Bobbito (left) aka Robert Garcia became legends on The Stretch Armstrong Show during the 1990s. Back then, they were hip hop tastemakers on college station WKCR in New York City. Now they're

Stretch & Bobbito On Race, Hip-Hop, And Belonging

11:18am July 26, 2017

by Aleli May Vuelta

The pioneering hip-hop radio duo drop by the Code Switch podcast to talk about making their way in a traditionally black genre and their new NPR interview show, What's Good? with Stretch & Bobbito.

A man protests at a rally in a scene from the Kuinka video for the song "Warsaw."

Music & Culture

Kuinka Asks, 'Where Is This Anger Coming From?'

11:00am July 26, 2017

by Bob Boilen

Kuinka, one of our favorites from the recent Tiny Desk Contest, explores the nature of anger and bigotry in a stirring video for the song "Warsaw."

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: Jazz

10:38am July 26, 2017

Luka Bloom and Karan Casey are best known for singing traditional and contemporary folk songs. Hear them and others as they work with jazz artists to craft a different style of music.

Tera Melos' Trash Generator comes out Aug. 25.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Tera Melos, 'Don't Say I Know'

10:03am July 26, 2017

by Nina Corcoran

On its first song in four years, the aggressive, jazz-like punk of the trio's earlier self remains — it's just being utilized in a subtler manner.

Gregg Allman's new album, Southern Blood, comes out Sept. 8. It features his touring band, plus guests Jackson Browne, Buddy Miller, The McCrary Sisters and Greg Leisz.

Music & Culture

Gregg Allman's Posthumous 'My Only True Friend' Ain't Just Another Road Song

8:35am July 26, 2017

by Tom Moon

Allman worked on Southern Blood in the years before his death in May. "I hope you're haunted by the music of my soul, when I'm gone," Allman sings on the first single.

Music & Culture

Sylvan Esso: 'Slack Jaw,' From the Echo Mountain Sessions

7:36am July 26, 2017

by Bob Boilen

Watch Sylvan Esso perform a spare and beautiful version of the the duo's song "Slack Jaw," with Jenn Wasner of the bands Wye Oak and Flock Of Dimes.

Baltimore jazz pianist Lafayette Gilchrist's new album features a song dedicated to Freddie Gray.

Music & Culture

Lafayette Gilchrist Plays The 'Blues For Freddie Gray'

5:11am July 26, 2017

by Phil Harrell

The jazz pianist's latest album with his go-go backing band features a powerful song he wrote in tribute to the young Baltimore man who died in 2015 of injuries sustained in police custody.