Music

Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon, is serving a 20-years-to-life sentence in the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York.

John Lennon's Killer Is Denied Parole For A 10th Time

5:19pm August 24, 2018

by Sasha Ingber

A New York State Board of Parole panel said that by murdering a person "beloved by millions," Mark David Chapman "demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life."

Music & Culture

Gorillaz On World Cafe

3:00pm August 24, 2018

by Stephen Kallao

Beyond being intelligent, thoughtful and perceptive, Gorillaz band member Damon Albarn is incredibly gregarious, infectious and fun.

Dermot Kennedy performs a Tiny Desk Concert on July 27, 2018 (Eslah Attar/NPR).

Music & Culture

Dermot Kennedy: Tiny Desk Concert

2:01pm August 24, 2018

by Stephen Thompson

Backed for the first time ever by members of the Howard Gospel Choir, the Irish singer-songwriter shows off a voice built to fill stadiums in more ways than one.

Leonard Bernstein conducting at London's Royal Festival Hall in 1963.

Music & Culture

The Complex Life Of Leonard Bernstein, A Once-In-A-Century Talent

12:07pm August 24, 2018

by Jeff Lunden

Born 100 years ago on Aug. 25, 1918, Bernstein was a larger-than-life character — on stage as a conductor, at the piano as a composer, on TV as an educator and in a sometimes tangled personal life.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Watch Sharon Van Etten Cover LCD Soundsystem With The Heritage Orchestra

10:42am August 24, 2018

by Lyndsey McKenna

Sharon Van Etten performed "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" as part of the annual summertime BBC Proms performance series.

Bas' new album Milky Way is on our shortlist for the best albums out on Aug. 24.

Music & Culture

New Music Friday For Aug. 24: Seven Albums You Should Hear Now

10:34am August 24, 2018

by Robin Hilton

This week's sprint through the best new albums includes the drone rock of Nothing, the delicate piano work of Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds, the return of DeVotchka and more.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Of Houseflies And Drunk Dads: Ohmme Tells The Stories Behind 'Parts,' Track By Track

8:02am August 24, 2018

by Bob Boilen

Two classically trained pianists pick up electric guitars and dive into uncharted musical waters. Here, Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart explain their first album as Ohmme.

Music & Culture

Interpol's Paul Banks Explains 'Marauder' Track By Track

7:22am August 24, 2018

by Bob Boilen

For their sixth album, Marauder, Interpol come out swinging. Singer Paul Banks shares some of the thoughts and stories behind every song.

American composer, conductor and pianist Leonard Bernstein, in 1970, at a London press conference.

Music & Culture

Got 'Mambo'? A Playlist For Leonard Bernstein Fanatics And First-Timers

12:00am August 24, 2018

by Tom Huizenga

Need to beef up on Leonard Bernstein? Hear the musical polymath's most delightful tunes, from West Side Story classics to surprises from Aretha Franklin, Tom Waits and Selena.

Music & Culture

Dermot Kennedy On World Cafe

2:42pm August 23, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

Listening to this Irish singer is like hearing someone drag their own heart through their vocal cords and send it right up to the heavens.