Music

Gary Lucas Uses Film Music 'To Shed Light On Obscure Corners Of Culture'

5:01pm March 04, 2017

by Rick Karr

Gary Lucas, known for playing with the late Captain Beefheart and as the late Jeff Buckley's songwriting partner, built reputation with film music. His latest is for an early Orson Welles comedy.

"Strong Swimmer" is a song from Shelby Earl's latest album, The Man Who Made Himself a Name.

Music & Culture

Shelby Earl Explains 'Strong Swimmer,' An Ode To Trauma And Recovery

7:41am March 04, 2017

by NPR Staff

Earl conceived the song to be about herself getting over a relationship. Then, she realized someone in her life was swimming against an even stronger emotional current.

Will (left) and Brooke Blair composed the music for I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, the directorial debut of their older brother Macon.

After 'Green Room' and 'Blue Ruin,' The Brothers Blair Keep Film Music In The Family

7:41am March 04, 2017

by Tim Greiving

Composers Brooke and Will Blair got some notice last year for their music for the cult hit Green Room, starring their brother Macon. Now they're scoring his directorial debut.

Pianist Ahmad Jamal performs on this week's Piano Jazz.

Music & Culture

Ahmad Jamal On Piano Jazz

7:09pm March 03, 2017

One of the most popular stylists in contemporary jazz, the pianist joined Marian McPartland for a 1985 session.

A crowd in line at the 2015 SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas.

Music & Culture

How A Contract Clause Led To A Fight Between Musicians And Austin's Biggest Event

5:51pm March 03, 2017

A clash between SXSW and artists over legal language regarding international musicians at the festival boils down to fine print and big ideas.

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Music & Culture

Laura Marling On World Cafe

12:52pm March 03, 2017

by Talia Schlanger

Hear the English folk-rock musician preview songs from her forthcoming album, Semper Femina — including the new single "Nothing, Not Nearly" — live in the studio.

Leif Vollebekk's "Into The Ether" is one of this week's picks for our New Music playlist.

Music & Culture

Weekend LISTening: World Cafe's New Music Playlist

11:58am March 03, 2017

We're always on the hunt for the best new music to share with World Cafe listeners. Hear some of our latest picks.

Brian Burton and Sam Cohen, musical creators for 'Resistance Radio'

Music & Culture

Resistance Radio: Darkly Reimagining The '60s Sound

11:54am March 03, 2017

by Bob Boilen

A conversation with musician/producer Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) about creating an album inspired by an alternative universe in which Germany and Japan win World War II.

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Sharon Van Etten covers Skeeter Davis on the Resistance Radio: The Man In The High Tower

Music & Culture

Sharon Van Etten Asks Why The Sun Still Shines For 'The Man In The High Castle'

10:47am March 03, 2017

by Robin Hilton

Sharon Van Etten's cover of the 1962 song "The End Of The World" comes from a unique and entirely imagined soundtrack to the Amazon series The Man In The High Castle.

Music & Culture

Caroline Spence On The Stories Behind Her Beautiful New Record 'Spades & Roses'

9:58am March 03, 2017

by Lars Gotrich

Caroline Spence explains the stories behind each song — concern for a friend, a hotel in Amarillo — of her beautiful sophomore record.