Soundcheck
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Sam Amidon, In The Studio
Folk musician Sam Amidon can't be contained to just one instrument. On his latest album, Bright Sunny South, he plays banjo, fiddle, acoustic guitar, and piano. He also sprinkles in horns and drums to fatten up the sound in key places, sometimesemphasizingthe "bright and sunny of the album," but at other times taking a more subdued and reflective note. Set List: "I Wish I Wish" "As I Roved Out" "Short Life" Sam Amidon plays Le Poisson Rouge on Thursday night.
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Gig Alert: Shooter Jennings
ARTIST: Shooter Jennings DOWNLOAD: "Wild and Lonesome" SHOW: Tuesday at the Bowery Ballroom ($25) Like his dad, the late Waylon Jennings, Shooter Jennings is a country singer who is isn’t afraid to be a little bit -- or a lot -- outlaw. The opinionated singer has, in recent years, called out his genre for blandness. But, he can also write a darn good ballad, like this duet with Patty Griffin, “Wild and Lonesome.” Download "Wild and Lonesome," above, and watch a video, below. View Larger Map
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Ray Manzarek, The Doors' Founding Keyboardist, Dies At 74
Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist and founding member of the legendary rock band The Doors died today at 74 after a long battle with bile duct cancer. The Chicago-born musician co-founded The Doors after meeting then-poet Jim Morrison while film students at UCLA in 1965. And the group -- along with drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger -- went on to become one of the 1960s' most successful and enduring rock 'n' roll bands, thanks to hits such as "Break On Through" and the...
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What's the Difference Between "Rap" and "Hip Hop"?
In this second installment of our musical mysteries series, Soundcheck contributor Faith Salie attempts to discern rap from hip hop. She talks with Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal about the difference between the two terms -- which, as it turns out, is fairly complex. "When we talk about hip hop, we're talking about a larger cultural experience," says Neal. "Rap music is part of that larger aspect of hip hop culture, but it's also thepartof the culture that's perhaps most visible...
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iTunes At Ten: Apple's Impact On The Music Industry A...
iTunes, the online music and media store from Apple,is so ubiquitous these days its hard to remember a time when we didn’t have it. The iTunes store was a game changer ten years ago, when it first emerged. Now, after a decade, it’s looking for new ways to reinvent itself. Over at Billboard magazine, editor Joe Levy has been considering iTunes' impact on the industry -- and he weighs in.
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The Coup: Politically Minded Hip Hop And Funk From...
Many folks who make political music can talk the talk -- but Oakland, California's Boots Riley also walks the walk. That makes the leader of the long running hip hop collective The Coup a very busy man. In addition to his work as a politicalorganizer and speaker, Riley recently released his sixth full length album with The Coup,Sorry To Bother You. Riley and his fierce live band band bring their trademark blend of hip hop, funk, psychedelia and a bit of punk rock to the studio for a...
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Gatsby's Original Soundtrack
Director Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby" features a Jay-Z-produced soundtrack that's packed with rap and hip hop. But, as any Fitzgerald fan could tell you, the author had some pretty specific songs in mind for his story. Wall Street Journal contributor Will Friedwald tells us about the oh-so-modern songs of the 1920s specifically referenced in Fitzgerald's works.
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Gig Alert: Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys
First came the traditional sounds of American bluegrass. Then there was the punky, uptempo sounds of new-grass. Now the Michigan band known as Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys would like to bring you something they've called 'Lou Grass.' It’s their blend of expert picking, country swing and pop. The bluegrass band plays St. Mazie Monday night. Audition "My Side of the Mountain."
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Gig Alert: Sinkane
Sinkane is the musical project of the Sudan-born, Ohio-bred musician Ahmed Gallab. He got his start drumming for bands like Yeasayer and Of Montreal, but last year, he struck out on his own. His 2012 debut as Sinkane is a hooky blend of East African soul, bright indie pop and dance-ready electronic grooves. The Afro-futuristic-funk band plays Bowery Ballroom Friday night. Audition "Warm Spell."
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Song Premiere: Savoir Adore, 'Beating Hearts'
Summer may not officially begin until June 20th, but the race is officially on for song of the season. A great summer jam should be hooky, escapist, and also great for blasting and belting along to -- all qualities that turn up in this new song from the Brooklyn-based synth-pop duo of Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro as Savoir Adore. Since 2007, Savoir Adore have poured their fantastical themes into dreamy beds of sound. Their latest, "Bleeding Hearts," is a fizzy, wistfully catchy gem of a...
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Gig Alert: Charles Bradley
When Charles Bradley released his debut album in 2011, the story was about the Brooklyn singer’s perseverance through a life of poverty and struggle -- and his against-all-odds success at the age of 62. Now, the so-called Screaming Eagle of Soul has released a slow burning, and at times introspective follow-up called "Victim of Love." Audition:"Strictly Reserved For You." The Screaming Eagle of Soul plays The Apollo Thursday night.
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'Louder Than Hell': An Oral History Of Metal
Two recent news events have shaken the metal world: The tragic death of guitarist Jeff Hanneman of Slayer; and the arrest of the lead singer of the Christian metal band As I Lay Dying, who was charged with trying to hire a hit man to kill his wife. But in the new bookLouder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal,Jon Wiederhornand Katherine Turmanexplain that while the history of metal is full of untimely death, arson, and murder, those events are actually far from routine. The...
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Radiation City's Dark Dreamy Pop
All this week in our Check Ahead, we're streamingAnimals In The Median, the upcoming albumfrom Portland, Oregon's Radiation City. The band makes a dark dreamy pop that is marked by detailed songcraft, beautiful arrangements, and lush, layered harmonies. Soundcheck producer Gretta Cohn spoke with the band's singer and keyboard player Lizzy Ellison about the new album, why playing in a band with your beau is sometimes hard, and how it might be possible for humans to co-exist with zombies. Read...
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Alice Russell: Big-Voiced British Soul
The British soul singer Alice Russell's career has been something of a slow burn -- full of experimentation and lots of collaboration.She first turned heads back in 2006 with a cover of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army"; David Byrne tapped her for his recent concept album Here Lies Love; and last year she collaborated on a cumbia-influenced album with the producer Quantic. Now, after a long wait, she’s released a brand new solo album -- her fifth -- called To Dust. Alice Russell and her...
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Gig Alert: Dori Caymmi
Dori Caymmi is a Grammy-winning composer, guitarist and vocalist from Brazil. His influences run wide -- from the French composer Debussy to American jazz musician Miles Davis. But one of Dori Caymmi’s biggest influences was his father -- the late bossa nova pioneer Dorival Caymmi. Tonight, the son pays tribute to his father. The Brazilian composer, guitarist and vocalist plays Birdland Wednesday night. Audition: "Marinheiragem."
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Leon Botstein: 'Rite Of Spring' A Quantum Leap Forward
Yesterday on the show we heard about the controversy that met Stravinsky’s 'The Rite of Spring' when it premiered 100 years, on May 29th, 1913. As we gear up to mark the anniversary of the piece with a live performance in the Greene Space on this May 29th,we continue to hear about the story behind the Rite. Leon Botstein, Music Director of the American Symphony Orchestra and President of Bard College, explains how 'The Rite of Spring' took classical music into the modern world. Leon...
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Ira Berkow: Music And Sports Are Both Just Rhythm And...
It’s no secret that the Soundcheck team is made up of not just music fans, but sports fans too. We’re especially interested in the way that sports and music intersect, and when we saw that the Pulitzer-prize-winning sportswriter and essayist Ira Berkowhad a new collection out, we thought it’d be a great chance to indulge our second passion. Ira Berkow, whose new book is titled, Summers At Shea: Tom Seaver Loses His Overcat and Other Mets Stories, talks sports and tells the stories behind...
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As Season 12 Ends, Big Changes Coming For 'American Idol'
As Season 12 of American Idol finally slogs to a close this week, there's news that change will be soon afoot for the reality competition. According to The Wrap’s Jethro Nededog, all four Idol judges will be replaced next year in an effort to boost ratings and infuse new life into the show, which has seen a twenty percent decrease in viewership this season. So far, only host Randy Jackson has publicly confirmed that he will be leaving the show. But Nededog tells Soundcheckthat the network...
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Check Ahead: Radiation City, 'Animals In The Median'
Romance at the workplace can be a risky proposition. Especially when your office is a touring van. For some bands, like Fleetwood Mac, this has meant epic musical drama. The White Stripes managed to turn romantic disharmony into a thrashing success, for a while. Others, like Arcade Fire, make a pretty sweet harmony out of matrimony. Now, the Portland Oregon-based dark dream-pop band Radiation Cityis the latest to turn a love affair into an LP. The band features not one but two couples --...
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Gig Alert: The Hush Sound
The Hush Sound started off as a high school basement band – but turned into something of a power pop phenomenon. A few years ago the group went on a hiatus -- and crushed a lot of young indie-pop hearts. But now, they’re back. Listen to their brand new song, "Scavengers." The jangle-pop band plays Webster Hall Tuesday night.
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French Horn Rebellion: When Classical Hits the Club
Brothers Robert and David Perlick-Molinari are calling for a rebellion. A French Horn Rebellion, to be exact. The two formed their electro-pop band featuring the famously challenging brass instrument back in 2007, and since then, have brought their danceable beats and catchy remixes to clubbers and concert-goers around the world. Hear the8-piece dance band to get us properly amped for the weekend, with a buoyant set in the Soundcheck studio.
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Please Come Again: Customer Service Songs
Esopus magazine is known for taking an offbeat look at the worlds of visual art, design and culture. But every installment of the twice-yearly publication also comes with a delightfully conceptual CD of commissioned works. The latest, issue No. 19, features artists like Jens Lekman, Basia Bulat and Richard Swift of The Shins playing off a topic thatmost of us know all too well: customer service. Esopus editor Tod Lippy and trombonistJacob Garchik, who composed "The Tip Jar," discuss the...
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‘The Rite of Spring’ Turns 100, And Goes Solo
One hundred years ago this month, Igor Stravinsky’s legendary ballet score for "The Rite of Spring" provoked the most famous riot in music history. Here at Soundcheck, we’re partnering with Q2 Music to mark the occasion with a live performance from the pianist Vicky Chow, from the Bang On A Can All-Stars -- she'll join us in The Greene Space with a rare solo piano arrangement on the actual date of the anniversary, May 29th, at 7pm. Today, though, Leonard Slatkin, music director of the...
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Little Boots: Dark And Fizzy Dance Pop, In The Studio
A few years back, British singer Victoria Hesketh seemed poised to be the next breakout dance pop star in the vein of Kylie Minogue or Robyn. Her debut as Little Boots, 2008's Hands, mixed euphoric choruses and fizzy synth hooks, and ultimately went gold in the U.K. and topped the BBC Sound of 2009 poll. But instead of riding that momentum to the next level, there was a four-year gap. Now with her long-awaited follow-up, Nocturnes (out May 7), Little Boots finally looks to make good on that...
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Gig Alert: Masaki Batoh
Masaki Batoh, a Japanese rock musician, has developed a machine that captures the activity going on inside your skull. He’s not reading your mind, but he turning brain waves into sound waves. He'll bring his brain pulse machine to Spectrum Monday night. Audition: "Aiki No Okami"
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'Jump' Songs: Kris Kross And Beyond
Last week, we heard the news that Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly -- one half of the '90s hip hop duo, Kriss Kross -- passed away at the age of 34. Kelly rose to fame in his early teens when the Jermaine Dupri-produced Kris Kross song "Jump" hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for eight consecutive weeks. Aisha Harris, Slate Brow Beat assistant, recently reflected back on that song and on other songs centered around that simple command: jump. She joins us in the studio with a...
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Song Of The Summer 2013 Contenders
Love it or hate it, Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", was undeniably last year's song of the summer. The chart-topper had every ingredient for summer success: it was sugary, singable, and -- most importantly -- infectious. Although summer 2013 has yet to arrive, the unofficial song of the summer race is already heating up. Amanda Dobbins, associate editor for New York Magazine's Vultureblog, guides us through her list of the early contenders. Amanda Dobbins, on Mariah Carey and Miguel's...
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Pianist Anthony de Mare Re-Imagines Stephen Sondheim, In...
Musicians have been singing and performing Stephen Sondheim's songs for decades, and probably other composers have been jealously thinking, “I wish I could write those songs.” Well now they can, thanks to pianist Anthony de Mare. DeMare's Liaisons project offers some of today’s finest jazz, classical, and musical theater composers a chance to reimagine a favorite Sondheim song. Hear Anthony de Mare perform a few selections from the project in the Soundcheck studio. Anthony de Mare plays...
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Natalie Maines Shows Her Rock Roots On 'Mother'
It's been nearly seven years since the Dixie Chicks released its last album, 2006'sTaking The Long Way, a critically-liked, but divisive record that went on to win five Grammy Awards. And while bandmates and sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire put out a duo record in 2010 as the Court Yard Hounds, fans of Natalie Maines,the rebellious and politically outspoken lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, have had to wait much longer for new music. But now, after such a long absence from recording,...
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Aoife O'Donovan: Warmly Enveloping Folk, In The Studio
Aoife O’Donovanmight have spent a decade constructingFossils, her debut album, but she kept busy during those ten years. She spent that time honing her skills as a composer as the lead singer of Crooked Still, a bluegrass string group. “Red White Blue Gold,” the first single off ofFossils, has more of a country focus. But what stands out from the track is O’Donovan’s voice — it’s enveloping, breathy, and calm. Fossilswill be released on June 11. Set List: "Red White Blue Gold" "Fire Engine"...
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Gig Alert: Big Sam's Funky Nation
Spring is here – and that means the start of outdoor concert season here in New York. Tonight, the New Orleans brass band known as Big Sam’s Funky Nation gets the party started at Brooklyn Bridge Park. If you go, you’re likely to see lots of dancing to the band’s urban funk. Audition "See Me Dance"
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Why Are Black Producers So Rare On Broadway?
The Tony Award nominees were announced last week, and one of the productions to garner multiple nods was Motown: The Musical. The Broadway newcomer received four nominations in categories including Sound Design and Best Leading Actress in a Musical. But these accolades aren't what makes the show stand out for author and political analyst Keli Goff. Instead, it's that the musical has a black producer, Motown Records founder, Berry Gordy. According to a new article by Goff in The Root, black...
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Actress Molly Ringwald Explores Her Musical Side
Most of us first met Molly Ringwald in classic John Hughes movies likePretty In Pink, 16 Candles, and The Breakfast Club. But recently the actress began showcasing new aspect of her talents; a few years ago, Ringwald added "author" to her resume. Ringwald's new album,Except Sometimes, is a collection of jazz renditions of tunes from the Great American Songbook. Ringwald says her father, jazz pianist Bob Ringwald, instilled a deep love of jazz standards in her, which persists to this day....
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Genre-Defying Classical Guitarist Jason Vieaux, In The...
Three years ago, The New York Times namedJason Vieaux one of “the youngest stars in the guitar world.” That praise of Vieaux’s musical prowess is certainly well-earned; the classical guitarist has built a world renowned resume. Perhaps mostimpressively, he co-founded the Guitar Department at the Curtis Institute of Music — one of the most prestigious music schools in the country. But Vieaux also strivesto expand the definition of the classical guitarrepertoire. In 2005, he released Images Of...
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Gig Alert: Colin Stetson
Some musicians stretch the boundaries of their instruments to a point where it just seems like what they do is magic. That’s the case with the saxophone player Colin Stetson. His technique -- built around drones, hums, key clicks and circular breathing – allows him to play many lines of music simultaneously on one sax. The inventive saxophonist plays Le Poisson Rouge Wednesday night. Audition: "High Above A Grey Green Sea"
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Ancient, Futuristic And Timeless: Choreographers Rich +...
Chances are ifyou'veturned on the television sometime in the last decadeyou'veseen the work of dancers, choreographers, and brothers Rich Talauega and Tone Talauega. Their music videos for Chris Brown and Jennifer Lopez have been nominated for MTV awards, they worked with Madonna on her tours and videos and her Viking-themed 2012 Superbowl Halftime Show, andthey'vetaken their moves to the popular show Dancing With The Stars. The brothers join us to talk about getting their first big break...
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Brian Eno's New Installation Lets You Experience '77...
English songwriter, producer, and all-around big thinker, Brian Eno, was in New York this past weekend to oversee the launch of his ambitious sound and light installation, 77 Million Paintings. It’s part of the sprawling Red Bull Music Academy project, and though it continues the so-called “ambient music tradition” that Eno began in 1979 with his Music For Airports, 77 Million Paintings is different. While all the individual tracks of sound are combining and recombining, so too are a series...
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Rachel Zeffira: From Opera To Orchestral Pop, In The...
The Canadian-born songwriter and multi-instrumentalistRachel Zeffira trained as an opera singer -- where a premium is put on projection. But for her solo debut, The Deserters, she's crafted a hushed orchestral pop sound that revolves around her dreamy, haunted whisper of a voice. Hear her performance in the studio, including the songs "Silver City Days," and "Waiting for Sylvia." Plus, a stream, below, of Zeffira and her ensemble's lovely cover of the Beatles' "Because." Rachel Zeffira -...
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Gig Alert: Arum Rae
The ABC show Nashville has introduced millions of viewers to a whole slew of great artists, from The Civil Wars to Kacey Musgraves to this young songwriter, Arum Rae. A country-fied version of her song “If I Didn’t Know Better” was featured on Nashville last year – but Arum Rae’s own performance has a haunted, bluesy quality. The singer and songwriter plays at Maxwell's Tuesday night. Audition: "If I Didn't Know Better."
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'Fess Up: Your Musical Guilty Pleasures
It's guilty pleasures week on Soundcheck -- and that means that it's time to come clean. Do you have a musical guilty pleasure? A genre... an artist... a song that you secretly love but are ashamed to admit it? We want you to call us and tell us about it at 866 939 1612, or you can leave us a comment below in the comments section. Today, we kick off our discussion with Northwestern University marketing professor Kelly Goldsmith, who's done research on the phenomenon of "guilty pleasures."...
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Colin Stetson Ends 'Warfare'
SaxophonistColin Stetson juggles a busy schedule touring with Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, among other artists. Yet with his solo work, Stetson's fascinating and inventive technique -- built around mesmerizing drones and circular breathing -- allows him to stretch and take center stage. His latest album, New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light, concludes a trilogy of genre-defying records and also features guest vocals from Bon Iver's Justin Vernon on several tracks.
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Gig Alert: Field Report
Field Report is the name of the band led by the Wisconsin-based songwriter Chris Porterfield. Get it? Porterfield, Field Report. Anyway, like their friends in the Grammy winning folk band Bon Iver, Field Report makes slow burning folk music -- with a focus on small-town stories. The band plays Music Hall of Williamsburg Monday night. Audition "I Am Not Waiting Anymore."
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Our Continuous Quest for Silence
All week on Soundcheck we've been talking about noise -- and we've been asking you how you block it out of your life. On Tuesday, we spoke with Professor David Hendy of the University of Sussex in England about his recent 30-part BBC 4 radio series called "Noise: A Human History." It examined 100,000 years of human noise and how it’s shaped civilization. We’ve gotten permission from the BBC and Rockethouse Productions to bring you a shortened excerpt of the final episode of that series. Our...
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That Was A Hit!?! (Grab Bag Edition)
The Brooklyn writer Paul Ford returns to our studiowith a three-pack of songs that, in hindsight, enjoyed a surprising amount of acclaim in their day. Or, as Ford explains: "These are just jewels of weirdness." Those jewels include Bill Cosby's absurd satire of a perfectly good Stevie Wonder track, Paul Hardcastle's dance hit about Vietnam War casualties and the heartwarming triumph of scatter-rapper ("scrapper," maybe?) Scatman John. Here's how Ford described his triple-play of oddities to...
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Caroline Shaw Talks Square Dancing, Bach, And Winning A...
Caroline Shaw is a vocalist, violinist, andcomposer -- and now she can claim the title of the youngest winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music. Her winning piece, Partita, is a haunting blend of singing, avant-garde vocal effects, and spoken text. The four part suite takes inspiration from Bach -- whose solo violin pieces she played growing up -- as well as from the dance world. "When I first moved to New York, I spent a lot of time playing for dance classes around the city, and I became very...
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The Fiery Strings of Brooklyn Rider, In The Studio
Our friends at NPR Music have credited Brooklyn Riderwith “recreating the 300-year-old form of string quartet as a vital and creative 21st-century ensemble.” The group is known for its multifaceted yet cohesive recordings and performances that combine a diverse collection of works by jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The title of Brooklyn Rider's sixth album,A Walking Fire, is taken from a poem by the 13th-century poet Rumi. "A Walking Fire"...
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Gig Alert: Cassie Taylor
Singer, bassist and model Cassie Taylor is only 26 years old, but she’s already a veteran blueswoman. The daughter of blues musician Otis Taylor, she grew up performing with her dad – and is now making waves on her own. Here’s a brand new song, called “That’s My Man.” Blueswoman Cassie Taylor plays Hill Country Friday night.
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Bugs Make 'Ancient, Thrumming, And Rhythmic' Music
They’re coming: After a 17-year absence, cicadas are soon to emerge here in the Northeast -- and the attention of this region will be firmly placed on the insects and their unique noise. But musician and philosopher David Rothenberg is well-prepared. For the past few years, he’s been thinking, studying, and writing about the sounds of cicadas and other insects — and how those sounds have influenced human music throughout history. It’s the subject of his new book and accompanying CD, Bug...
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Joshua James: Rootsy, Idiosyncratic Songs From...
This week's Check Ahead comes to us from the the rootsy, idiosyncratic singer and songwriter Joshua James.Last year James released a full length album called From The Top Of Willamette Mountain. "Willamette Mountain" is a kind of mystical place of his songwriting imagination -- but it's also very real: it's the name that he's given to his farm/homestead in rural American Fork, Utah. During the sessions for From The Top Of Willamette Mountain, James found himself with four songs that just...
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Marques Toliver: Genre-Bursting Violin, In The Studio
The violinist and songwriter Marques Toliver hails from Florida, but honed his chops busking on the streets of New York and East London -- that's where he created his compelling hybridized sound, where classical, pop and RB meet. "I guess I can think of myself as a magician or a sorcerer in a way," he tells us. "I’m just trying to bring together the different vibrations of elements from the past and fuse it with me, the present." Fellow musicians from both sides of the Atlantic have taken a...
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Gig Alert: Marques Toliver
The classically trained violinist and songwriter Marques Toliver hails from Florida, but he honed his chops busking on the streets of East London. His debut full length album is out in just a few weeks, and it showcases his compelling hybridized sound, where classical, pop, and RB meet. Violinist and songwriter Marques Toliver plays Mercury Lounge Thursday night. Audition "Magic Look."
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Penn Badgley Channels Jeff Buckley in 'Greetings From...
The late singer Jeff Buckley's career was on a steep upward trajectory when he drowned in 1997 at the age of 30. Buckley had an amazing voice -- and he had musical genes. He was the son of Tim Buckley, a cult singer/songwriter of the early '70s who also died tragically young, of an overdose at the age of 28. They are both the subject of the new movie Greetings From Tim Buckley, which stars former Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley in the role of Jeff Buckley. Badgley joins us to discuss the...
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'Ten Freedom Summers' Reflects On The Civil Rights...
Trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smithhas spent more than 40 years surprising listeners. Smith is known as a proponent of free jazz, but he has also played world music, done a tribute album to Miles Davis’s electric period, and was named this year as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Music for Ten Freedom Summers,a sprawling, four-hour-plus piece inspired by the civil rights movement. Smith began the project in 1977 at the behest of violinist and composer Leroy Jenkins, and he...
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John Grant: Making Himself Heard
Singer-songwriter John Grant's music has evolved significantly since his career began in the 1990s as the lead singer for the alt-rock band The Czars. But, as he tells us on Soundcheck, his musical tastes today haven't actually changed all that much over the years. "Those that are close to me know that my favorite thing is the music that I fell in love with in the '80s," he tells us. "Electronic-based music has always been my favorite thing." Listeners will hear that sound that Grant fell in...
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Gig Alert: Ljova and the Kontra Band
The ensemble Ljovaand the Kontra Band, led by composer and violist Ljova Zhurbin, calls itself “chamber-jam music for the remix generation.” The group draws from a wide range of traditional influences -- and puts on a fiery live show. Chamber music ensemble Ljova and the Kontra Band plays Littlefield Wednesday night. Audition "Love Potion Expired."
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Punk At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
In recent weeks, we'vecovered a lot of music in New York’s museums, from the blues at The Whitney to music videos at the Museum of the Moving Image. Now, it’s time to consider yet another exhibit that draws its inspiration from music. But this one may surprise you: The Metropolitan Museum of Art has organized an exhibit, called Punk: Chaos to Couture. Opening on May 9th, it’s an examination of punk’s impact on high fashion. Nitsuh Abebe wrote about the exhibit, and what punk means today, for...
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Exploring 100,000 Years Of Human Noise
This week on Soundcheck, we want to know how you block out noise in your day-to-day life. But a recent BBC 4 radio series,Noise: A Human History, examined how noise has shaped civilization for the past 100,000 years. “It’s fairly ambitious, I suppose,” David Hendy, the host and writer of that series, tells us on Soundcheck. “Many people think [it’s] a fool’s errand. How do you tell a history of sound when sound disappears the moment it’s born?” Hendy talks with us from the BBC studios in...
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Iron and Wine: Stripped Down Acoustic Songs, In The...
Sam Beam, the singer and guitarist who goes by Iron and Wine, first turned heads with 2002'sThe Creek Drank the Cradle, a compilation of bare acoustic demos. Since then, Beam's sound has expanded; Iron and Wine's latest album, Ghost On Ghost, features lush string arrangements, Motown-inspired backing vocals, and prominent horns that one might expect to find on a soul record from 1974. But the big sound feels at home on Beam's songs. For this Soundcheck session, though, Beam returns to his...
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Gig Alert: Josh Rouse
Josh Rouse makes music in a rootsy and folky vein that’s distinctly American. These days, though, he makes that music in Spain. That’s where he and his wife are raising their family, and the trials and joys of family life form the inspiration for Rouse’s newest record, The Happiness Waltz. Singer and songwriter Josh Rouse plays The Bell House Tuesday night. Download "Julie (Come Out of the Rain)."
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Tony Visconti: Bowie's Partner in Secrecy
On January 8th of this year, the music world awoke to find a new song by David Bowie - a completely unexpected stealth release by an artist many thought had retired. Even better, that song, "Where Are We Now," was accompanied by the announcement that a full-length LP would come out in March. That album, The Next Day, was produced by Bowie and his long time collaborator Tony Visconti. Visconti also engineered and mixed the record, did the string arrangements, and played some guitar, some...
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Gig Alert: Cold Specks
Musicians generally hate it when journalists pin a label on their music, so the Canadian singer and songwriter known as Al Spx decided to beat them to the punch. She coined the term “doom soul” to describe her band, Cold Specks. Maybe it started out as a joke, but the name stuck because her songs are full of dark themes — sung with a lot of soul. Singer and songwriter Cold Specks plays Pianos Monday Night.
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Iggy & The Stooges, Live In Concert
If your idea of fun is having a leathery, shirtless, 66-year-old man sweat on you, then you needed to be near the stage at Le Poisson Rouge for Iggy Pop's special public radio showcase on Sunday afternoon with his band The Stooges. And if that's NOT your idea of fun, well then you really, really need to see Iggy Pop playing live, and soon. Iggy and The Stooges played a mix of new songs, from their album Ready To Die, and old faves. If you were not an Iggy Pop fan, you might've had trouble...
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Gig Alert: The Brain Cloud
Brooklyn’s own western swing sextet The Brain Cloud is set to release its second album of exuberant and freewheeling country-fresh songs. The new record is called Outside Looking In, and you can year the title track here. The Brain Cloud plays Jalopy Theatre Friday night. Audition the track “Outside Looking In.”
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Gig Alert: John Grant
Over a career that's spanned nearly two decades, singer and songwriter John Grant has never been shy about addressing his demons. On his new '80s influenced album, the American-now-living-in-Iceland submerges his darkly funny musings on addiction and lost love in an icy electronic sea. John Grant plays Le Poisson Rouge Thursday night. Audition the track "Blackbelt."
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Revisiting R.E.M.'s Discography, From Worst To Best
This month marks the 30th anniversary of Murmur, the debut studio album by the alternative rock band, R.E.M. The classic 1983 record helped launch the early alternative rock era, and it’s been an R.E.M. fan favorite — some might go so far as to say that it was the band’s best release. But for music writer Aaron Brophyof Spinner Canada, who recently ranked R.E.M.’s studio albums, Murmur only placed sixth — which ruffled the feathers (to say the least) of some fans. The responses on the...
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Steve Martin And Edie Brickell, In The Studio
When a song opens with a banjo solo, you don't expect the first verse to contain the word "E-mail." But that's exactly how comedian, actor and banjo player Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell's joint effort, Love Has Come For You, begins. The record as a whole blends traditional bluegrass with decidedly contemporary lyrics, and showcases Brickell's distinctively smoky voice and Martin's dexterous banjo melodies. Hear the duo in the studio, along with the Steep Canyon Rangers,...
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Gig Alert: Sophia Knapp
Last year, the Brooklyn-based singer Sophia Knapp released a debut album of psych-pop songs that one critic described as "walking the fine line between fantasy and reality." She’s upped the fantasy side of things on a dreamy new song called "Times Square." Sophia Knapp performs at Tammany Hall Wednesday night. Audition the track "Times Square."
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Hyperacusis: When Hearing Hurts
"It's like the opposite of deafness," says writer Joyce Cohen when asked to describe the condition known as hyperacusis. "Instead of sounds sounding softer, it's that... sounds are louder and painful." Cohen recently wrote about hyperacusis for Buzzfeed.It's a condition that she herself has been living with for about 6 years, and in her piece, she describes how it has affected her quality of life. "It felt like my ears were being filled with burning acid," she writes. "On a scale of severity...
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Live Music Helps Premature Babies De-Stress And Develop
Premature babies are by definition incredibly fragile, which is why they’re placed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that monitor them constantly. But NICUs are noisy, bustling places, which can be stressful to preemies — who already have many other stressors impeding their development. A recently released study from Beth Israel Medical Center set its sights on helping premature babies de-stress and develop with the help of music. The study, led by Dr. Joanne Loewy, concludes that...
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Iggy Pop Stories: Musicians And Writers Reflect On The...
Soundcheck seems to be in the midst of what is shaping up to be Iggy Pop week. You can hear a full album stream of Iggy And The Stooges' brand new record,Ready To Die, and this Sunday, April 28, Soundcheck and NPR Music are co-presenting a live show and video webcast with Iggy Pop and The Stooges performing that new record, plus some old favorites. As one of rock’s most notorious frontmen, Iggy Pop has made many impressions -- and we’re asking for yours. We invited a few musicians and...
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Carl Hancock Rux, In The Studio
The poet and novelist Carl Hancock Rux considers the written word to be a kind of performance art. His poems are often not recited, they are in fact performed,with a band. It’s actually a tradition that goes back to poets like the late Allen Ginsburg, and possibly all the way back to Homer. Carl Hancock Rux and members of his band performs selections from his latest album, Homeostasis, live in the Soundcheck studio.
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Gig Alert: Jean Rohe
Jean Rohe inhabits a space where jazz, folk, and world music meet. The New York musician was a prize-winning audience favorite at the Montreaux Jazz Festival a few years back – and has a voice that’s clear and sometimes plaintive. Jean Rohe performs at Cornelia Street Cafe Tuesday night. Audition the track "Moving Day."
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Melodious Melodrama: Finding Camp Moments In Music
The term "campy" is one generally connoted with films or visual performances that are rooted in gay culture -- "Rocky Horror Picture Show," or John Waters' "Hairspray" are just two examples. As J. Bryan Lowder, Slate editorial assistant for culture,tells us on Soundcheck, it's "things that are sort of exaggerated, over the top, 'so-bad-it's good.'" But, as Lowder explains throughout his recent "Postcards from Camp" series for Slate.com, he defines the term "camp" somewhat differently....
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Let's Make This Evening Special: Silence Your Phones
Been to a concert lately? Chances are if you have, you'veseen the familiar sight of cellphones in the air, snapping photos, taking videos, posting that stuff to Facebook. But you wouldn't have seen all those blue screens in the air if you were at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show on April 7th in New York, or at the British post-punk band Savages show on April 16th in Seattle. That’s because, as Pitchfork staff writer Lindsay Zoladz tells us, the bands asked their audiences -- both politely and a bit...
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Ivan & Alyosha: Swelling Folk Pop Hooks, In The Studio
Ivan Alyoshanormally deals with expectations right off the bat. The folk pop group — which takes its name from two characters in Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov —is often assumed to be a duo. But the band faced even higher expectations with its recently released debut album, All The Times We Had, as the Seattle combo has been buzzed about since 2009. The record didn't disappoint — our pals at NPR Music hailed its "gorgeous, swelling, impeccably built songs" and "gigantic hooks."...
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Gig Alert: Generationals
New Orleans duo, Generationals, is aptly named. They blend the sound of at least two generations in their music. There’s the sound of 1960s analog equipment and tape machines, and the hooks and grooves of modern electronica. Generationals performs at Bowery Ballroom Monday night. Audition "Put A Light On."
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Track Premiere: Ola Podrida, 'Speed of Light'
Texas-based band Ola Podrida is led by the musician and film score composer David Wingo. Apart from releasing a series of excellent hushed-folk records with Ola Podrida over the last few years, Wingo has also gorgeously soundtracked films from David Gordon Green's George Washington and The Sitter to Mike Nichols’ upcoming Mud (which stars Matthew McConaughey). For his latest effort, Wingo and his band have turned up the volume. Listen to the jangly, propulsive 'Speed of Light' from Ola...
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Iggy And The Stooges, 'Ready To Die'
While releasing only three records between 1969 and 1973 before its implosion, The Stooges remains one of the most influential and ahead of its time bands ever. And its fearsome lead singer, Iggy Pop -- famous for his commanding bare-chested performances, self-mutilation and unpredictable stage antics -- is one of rock’s most iconic stars, laying the foundation for punk rock. Still, even at 66, it’s astonishing to think that someone who’s lived as hard and for so long as Iggy Pop is just as...
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What David Lee Roth Does on Saturday Night
Most of us know David Lee Roth as the original frontman of Van Halen during the mega-rock band's peak in the early 1980s. You might also know Roth as an onstage martial artist, expert jump-kicker and enthusiast of leather chaps. But to BuzzFeed music editor Steve Kandell, Diamond Dave was a childhood hero. Kandell followed Roth during the singer's solo career and later work as a morning radio host, podcaster and, yes, New York City EMT. With Roth recently reunited with Van Halen, Kandell...
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Pick 3: Drake, Jay-Z and Pusha T
In the hip hop world, new tracks are constantly being released without warning through outlets like Soundcloud and Twitter. Hip hop writer Sowmya Krishnamurthy joins us with three new releases from Drake, Jay-Z and Pusha T that all were recently introduced to audiences exactly this way. Sowmya on Drake's singing in "Girls Love Beyonce": "He's doing a lot more rapping, but he's saying, guys and girls, I'm still singing, I still have that emo quality that you love so much about me." On Jay-Z's...
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Jamie Lidell: Soulful Electronics, In The Studio
English electro-pop musician Jamie Lidellhas a new home in Nashville, and he’s already used it to his full advantage; it's where he recorded his latest, self-titled record. Lidell claims that every room in the house served as a studio at one point. Yet the atmosphere in his songs is far from homespun: They're full of funky synths, pounding basslines, and soulful vocals that draw heavily Prince, who Lidell tells Soundcheck is "my first love, musically." Lidell and his band come to...
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Gig Alert: Jay Gonzalez
Jay Gonzalez is best known as the keyboardist for the Southern rock band Drive-By Truckers. But for his solo work he spins pop confections like this song, “Punch of Love.” Jay Gonzalez plays Union Hall Friday night.
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Soundcheck Smackdown: Record Store Day Edition
For faithful fans of vinyl,the third Saturday in April means one thing: Record Store Day. This year, it falls on Saturday, April 20th. It's a day set aside to celebrate those increasingly rare independent "brick-and-mortar" record stores and the people who love them. And every year since its inception in 2008, more and more diehard music listeners and collectors line up at the doors in hopes of scoring limited edition 7" singles and enticing reissues. For many, it's a fun day meant to help...
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A Handful Of Beguiling And Psychedelic New Releases
eMusic's editor-in-chief J. Edward Keyes joins us with some of the music that's been catching his ear lately, from the ambitious sounds of Swedish duo The Knife, the precise 1960s psychedelia of Amsterdam's Jacco Gardner, New York songwriter Laura Stevenson's great Crazy Horse-inspired sound, and the dark psych-metal musings of England's Uncle Acid. The Knife, Shaking The Habitual: I really love this band, and am especially taken aback by this record. They started out as a conventional...
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William Tyler: Trance-Inducing Fingerpicking, In The...
Guitarist William Tyleris said to be a voluminous and charismatic talker, but his latest album, Impossible Truth, doesn’t feature the human voice. Instead, Tyler opts for instrumentals that showcase his virtuosic fingerpicking style. Hear the Nashville native perform songs from Impossible Truth in the Soundcheck studio. He also performson April 22 at PJ's Lager House in Detroit. Set List: "A Portrait Of Sarah" "Cadillac Desert" "The Geography Of Nowhere" Tyler, on his transition from writing...
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Gig Alert: On An On
When the band On An On played Soundcheck a couple of months ago, we asked them to describe their sound in three words. They said, "Deep sea diving." You’ll feel immersed when you hear the Chicago dream pop group's layered sound. On An On plays Knitting Factory Thursday night. Audition the track "Ghosts."
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Nice Work If You Can Get It: The Trainer Behind...
Back in the '70s, Bill Berloni wanted desperately to make it as an actor. "But those were teenage dreams," he tells us. While apprenticing one summer at a theater, he was told that he would receive his Equity Card and a stage part -- if he could buy, feed and train a dog for an upcoming production of Annie (all for $35, by the way). "I found the original Sandy," he says. "That's where my career began." These days, Bill is still working with Annieon Broadway -- now, for the 35th anniversary...
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Broadway's 'Matilda,' Satisfying And Subversive
Broadway's latest import from the U.K.Matilda won a record breaking seven Olivier Awards, their version of the Tonys. The show’s winners include Tim Minchin, who wrote the lyrics and the music, and the kids who played Matilda and her long-suffering classmates, who Minchin called “the little twerps.” In an interview with Soundcheck host John Schaefer, TheNew York Times chief theater critic Ben Brantleysays the show is “the most satisfying and subversive musical ever to come out of Britain.”...
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Luke Winslow-King: Delta Blues Meets Gospel Revival...
This week’s Check Ahead comes to us from the slide guitarist and songwriter Luke Winslow-King. His new album,The Coming Tide, is out on April 23rd -- but we’re streaming the record in its entirety on our site right now. Soundcheck producer Gretta Cohn spoke with Winslow-King about his adopted home of New Orleans, the genesis of his cross-pollinated sound, and about what inspired his cover of the pop song made famous by George Harrison in 1987: "I've Got My Mind Set on You." Watch a video of...
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Bahar Movahed: In The Studio
It's not every day that you find a musician who can also draw you a caricature portrait -- and fill your cavities. Unless you'reBahar Movahed,the multi-talented Iranian singer andaward-winning artistwho also happens to be adentist. Movahed joins us in the Soundcheck studio to perform songs from her new album, Goblet Of Eternal Light.
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Gig Alert: Water Liars
The duo known as Water Liars makes dark, soul-baring indie rock. On the song “Fake Heat,” guitarist Justin Kinkel-Schuster and drummer Andrew Bryant weave their voices together in an affecting duet as they tell a story of lonely, desperate love. Water Liars plays at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn on Wednesday night. Audition the track "Fake Heat."
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Shuggie Otis Spreads His 'Wings,' 40 Years Later
Most listeners know Shuggie Otisfrom his song, “Strawberry Letter 23,” which went on to be one of the big hits of 1977 in a version by the Brothers Johnson. But musicians always knew there was more to Otis than one hit single. Al Kooper and Frank Zappa each worked with him, and The Rolling Stones even asked him to replace guitarist Mick Taylor when Taylor left the band. However, Otis declined; he had just released his 1974 album, Inspiration Information, which would be his last record for 40...
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Tribeca Film Festival's Music Offerings: From The...
TheTribeca Film Festival, now in itstwelfthyear, kicks off Wednesday, April 17th. Genna Terranova, Director of Programming for Tribeca Film Festival, joins us to discuss some of the music-related offerings at the festival this year, including a documentary about Brooklyn indie band The National, filmed by Tom Berninger, brother of lead singer Matt Berninger (Mistaken for Strangers); a portrait of the Emmy and Tony award-winningactressElaine Stritch (Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me); a narrative...
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Joan Soriano: A Visit From The Duke
It’s not everyday that we have royalty here in the studio, but today, you’ll meet the Duke of Bachata: singer and guitarist Joan Soriano. Born in rural Dominican Republic, Joan was one of 15 kids, and left school at an early age to work on the family farm. Music led him to the capital of Santo Domingo, and then onto the international scene with two record releases, including La Familia Soriano. Hear him perform in our studio with members of the Soriano Family Band, including some not-yet...
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Gig Alert: William Tyler
Among the spiritual heirs to legendary guitarist John Fahey is the Nashville-based musician William Tyler. Tyler's solo guitar work is complex and masterful -- and highly melodic. Guitarist William Tyler plays Mercury Lounge Tuesday night. Audition the track "Cadillac Desert."
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Director Derek Cianfrance: Making A Film Is Like Making...
The Oscar-nominated writer, director and filmmaker Derek Cianfrance has built his reputation telling complex stories about relationships. His films -- like 2010’s Blue Valentine, which starred Ryan Gosling and Michele Williams -- tell intimate, at times dark tales. Now, he’s back with The Place Beyond The Pines, which also stars Ryan Gosling, along with Eva Mendes and Bradley Cooper -- and tackles the complexity of father-son relationships across generations. Those who know his work know...
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The Music Your Parents Raised You On
Your parents used to pick out your clothes – and your music, too. However, as Soundcheck contributor and new momFaith Saliediscovered last summer, the childhood soundtrack she fondly rememberswas more of a happy accident than a carefully curated listening experience. We've asked our listeners to call up their folks to find out the story of their own childhood soundtrack, and we talk with some of them about cutting their teeth on disco, new wave and war documentary soundtracks as kids. Want...
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Cloud Cult: Orchestral Pop, In The Studio
Cloud Culthas traditionally focused its songs around big ideas, and the group's latest record,Love, is no different. The band writes in the liner notes of the album: “…A life lived with intention on Love is a life well spent, because that positive energy goes on forever.” Cloud Cult brings that positive energyto theSoundcheckstudio for a live performance and interview. Set List: "The Show Starts Now" "Meet Me Where You're Going" "You're the Only Thing in Your Way" Lead singer Craig Minowa,...
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Track Premiere: Laura Stevenson, 'The Move'
During this year's South By Southwest Festival, folks were all a-swoon over Laura Stevenson. And with good reason. The Long Island-based singer and songwriter crafts emotive folk-pop songs with just the right amount of jangle -- and a finely honed sense of storytelling. Listen to 'The Move' from Wheel, due out on April 23rd.
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Gig Alert: Kim Richey
Kim Richey didn’t set out to become a songwriter. The two-time Grammy nominee worked as a chef and educator before making her first album at age 37. Now, the Nashville resident is releasing her seventh album, which features cameos from county star Trisha Yearwood and Pat Sansone of Wilco. Kim Richey plays at Joe's Pub on Monday night. Audition the track "Something More."
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Three Takes on Brad Paisley's 'Accidental Racist'
Here at Soundcheck, we don’t jump on every trending Twitter bandwagon. Our fire truck doesn’t stop at every blogosphere inferno. But if you’ve been killing time on the Internet this week, you’ve probably heard about this … Brad Paisley released "Accidental Racist" this week on his new album Wheelhouse -- and it'sasong soprovocative, for so many different reasons, that we just have to talk about it. With not just one person, but three. Joining us are: Will Hermes, author, senior critic for...
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Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog In Studio
Guitarist Marc Ribot is probably best known for his work with Tom Waits. Or Elvis Costello. Or Robert Plant Allison Kraus. The point is, Marc Ribot plays a lot of different types of music -- from T-Bone Burnett's roots rock to the so-called downtown jazz of John Zorn to the Haitian classical guitar music of Frantz Casseus. In 2008, he teamed up with two musicians who are similarly in-demand: the multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily and drummer Ches Smith. Together, they form the power trio...
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Danny Boyle on Picking Music for 'Trance,'...
In the films of English director Danny Boyle, music frequently emerges as an important (if unseen) character. The drug-addict drama Trainspotting was fueled by a jam-packed, manic soundtrack of songs by Iggy Pop, Brian Eno and the electronic duo Underworld. He teamed up with Indian composer A.R. Rahman for127 Hours and the highly successful Slumdog Millionaire, for which Boyle won a Best Director Oscar. His new movieTrance, starring James McAvoy and Rosario Dawson, pays homage to two beloved...
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Gig Alert: TransAtlantic Ensemble
The TransAtlantic Ensemble is the duo of German pianist Evelyn Ulex and New York clarinetist Mariam Adams (who is also known for her work with the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds). The pair's new album is called Crossing America, and features the work of many living Latin and jazz composers, including Paquito D’ Rivera. Audition "Chiquita Blues." The duo plays at Le Poisson Rouge Friday night.
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Juanes: Reflecting On The Peaks and Valleys of Stardom
Colombian musician, singer and songwriter Juanes skyrocketed to international fame in the early 2000s as he embarked upon his solo career. But, as he describes in his new memoir, called Juanes: Chasing the Sun,his road to stardom hasn’t been without its unexpected --and sometimes unpleasant -- twists and turns. Juanes joins us for a look back at the first four decades of his life, sharing details about a recent "detox" from the music biz, his early days as the lead singer of a metal band,...
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Best Music Videos Of 2013 (So Far)
This week, Soundcheck has been asking listeners: what was the very first music video that made an impact on you? Today we turn to Pitchfork staff writer Lindsay Zoladzfor her answer -- plus she shares a list of some of her favorite music videos of 2013 (so far). Beach House, "Wishes" It hits that internet viral sweet spot where there's something sublime about it in and of itself -- but it also can play off as funny or a parody in some way. The video was directed by Eric Wareheim, of the...
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The Black Angels: Reverb-Drenched Psychedelia, In The...
For nearly a decade, Austin, Texas' The Black Angels has crafted a modern take on psychedelic blues rock. Now touring behind its fourth album, Indigo Meadow, the group brings its drone-heavy songs to the Soundcheck studio for a live performance and interview. Set List: "Evil Things" "Don't Play With Guns" "The Day"
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Gig Alert: Marnie Stern
Marnie Stern plays a thrilling, virtuosic guitar, complemented by her sometimes manic, idiosyncratic singing style. The New York musician’s latest album is called The Chronicles of Marnia -- and it’s a joyful noise. Marnie Stern plays at Music Hall of Williamsburg Thursday night. Listen to the track "Year of the Glad."
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Solving Your Musical Mysteries: Why Do Accents Disappear...
When it comes to music, there are plenty of unanswered, or at least, difficult, questions… musical mysteries, if you will. Did Pink Floyd actually write Dark Side of the Moon to sync up with the Wizard of Oz? Are Jay-Z and Beyonce members of the Illuminati? Why do classical musicians hate on the viola so much? Well, our contributor Faith Salie has been pondering some of these so-called musical mysteries – including this question: why do speaking accents seem to disappear in music? She takes...
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Creed From 'The Office' Plays The Real-Life Role Of...
For fans of the hit NBC series,The Office, a sad day is drawing near. After a nine-season run, the beloved comedy will come to a close on May 16. But for actor Creed Bratton — who plays an oddball version of himself on the show — The Office’s end just means there’s more time for music. In addition to being an actor, Bratton is a solo artist and a former member of ‘60s bands The Grass Roots and the 13th Floor Elevators. Bratton discusses his acting and musical career and his new record, Tell...
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Creed On Creed
Actor and musician Creed Bratton isn't quite as insane as his self-titled character would lead you to believeon the NBC comedyThe Office. But when we at Soundcheck asked him to take a listen to three songs by the once-popular rock band that shares his namesake -- Creed -- this was his final verdict: "I think Creed on Creed with Craig Breedlove would be kind of cool. Creed and Creed and Breed." Creed Bratton, on Creed's song "With Arms Wide Open": How did he do that? Did he take a bastard...
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Lady: Ready And Waiting For Success
Singers Nicole Wray and Terri Walker started their musical careers literally thousands of miles apart – one, in Virginia, the other, in London. Wray began as an up-and-coming RB protégéto rapper Missy Elliott; Walker studied opera and received a Mercury Prize nomination for her debut solo album. However, after their two separate careers stalled, the two eventually met in New York and teamed up to form Lady – a dually-led band with a classic soul sound that recently released a debut...
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Gig Alert: Joe Boyd’s Way To Blue: A Tribute to Nick...
In the 1970s, record producer Joe Boyd discovered the mysterious, short-lived English singer-songwriter Nick Drake and produced his first records – records which are now seen as masterpieces. Now, he’s releasing a tribute album to Nick Drake, called Way To Blue. Listen to Vashti Bunyan's performance of the Nick Drake song, "Which Will." She joins producer Joe Boyd Wednesday at Joe's Pub.
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The Post-Rock Film Scores Of Clint Mansell
Though he's been playing and composing music for nearly two decades, Clint Mansell is perhaps best known for his work with filmmaker Darren Aronofsky's on movies likeRequiem for a Dream, The Wrestler,The Fountain, and Black Swan. But that’s not exactly where the Mansell thought he was headed when he first broke into the world of music. Like Trent Reznor -- the Nine Inch Nails and How To Destroy Angels frontman who has, with Atticus Ross, moved into the world of film and won an Oscar for his...
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A Salute To The Art Of Music Videos
When it comes to watching music in action, suddenly museums are the place to be. Yesterday on the show, we heard about three exhibits in New York museums that use music as a jumping-off point: ”Blues for Smoke” at the Whitney, “Street” at the Met Museum, and a show at the New Museum called NYC 1993: Experimental Jet Set Trash and No Star,” which takes its title from a Sonic Youth album. But there’s another exhibition happening here in New York -- and it’s even more directly about the...
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Lucius: Joyful Harmonies And Drums, In The Studio
Earlier this year, we introduced you to the Brooklyn band Lucius, with a Tiny Desk Concert recorded by NPR. Since then, the band has been marked as one most memorable bands at this year's South By Southwest and received raves from New York Times op-ed columnist and Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman. Hear Lucius for yourself, with an in-studio session and interview recorded at Soundcheck. See more photos at Soundcheck's Tumblr page. Lucius performs at Webster Hall on April 10 and at...
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Gig Alert: Jeffrey Foucault & Cold Satellite
Cold Satellite is a project that brings together singer and songwriter Jeffrey Foucault with the award-winning poet Lisa Olstein. The result is a country-rock sound that is full of literary yarn-spinning. Listen to the track "Sleepers Wake" from Jeffrey Foucault Cold Satellite. The band plays at The Bell House Tuesday night.
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Blind Date: Isabel Leonard
We’re setting you up on a blind date with a singer who can perform just as convincingly as a man as she can as a woman. But in the opera world -- that's not quite asprovocativeas it sounds. Opera singer Isabel Leonard was recently praised for combining the “best of both genders” in her trouser role portrayal of the male character Sesto in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Mozart’s “La clemenza di Tito.” But her feminine side will be on full display when she performs the role of...
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Follow The 'Moneyball': The Rise Of Music Stats
Musicians have long drawn inspiration from America's pastime, from "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" to Terry Cashman's "Talkin' Baseball" saga and the entire oeuvre of The Baseball Project. But one aspect of the sport -- baseball's obsession with statistics -- has inspired a new service that is turning heads in the music industry. The analytics company Next Big Sound was recently pegged as "Moneyball for Music" by Forbes, referring to the bestselling book and movie about the use of sabermetrics...
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Music In Museums: The Next Big Thing
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the art scene in New York, you may have noticed that there’s a lot of music in the city’s museums. We look at how institutions from The Whitney to the Met to the New Museum are filling their galleries with the sound of music with New York Times culture reporter Robin Pogrebin. On whether it's indicative of a trend: You used to see that performance art was marginal, but it's really making its way into the mainstream. It' no longer a separate thing -- and I...
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Track Premiere: Darcy James Argue's Secret Society,...
It’s possible that Darcy James Argue's Secret Society is the largest group to have ever squeezed into Soundcheck's recording studio-- which they did back when its debut album was released in 2009. Two years later, the 18-piece jazz and contemporary classical ensemble debuted a new work called Brooklyn Babylon at a slightly roomier venue -- the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The hour-long piece was a collaboration between composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue and...
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The Flaming Lips, 'The Terror'
It’s a rarity for rock bands to last as long as The Flaming Lips have, and practically unheard of to remain as artistically relevant. But over a constantly shapeshifting, nearly 30-year lifespan, Lips’ frontman and spiritual guide Wayne Coyne and company have proventime and again they’re not your typical rock band. Case in point: While The Terror -- the iconoclast Oklahoma City band’s 13th record -- is technically its first “proper” album in roughly four years, The Lips have been as...
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Gig Alert: Allah-Las
The members of the band Allah-Las met while working at California’s famed Amoeba Records -- where they bonded over a shared love for ‘60s rock, and of surfing. It’s like the Kinks and the Zombies got together at a big old beach party. Listen to the track “Catamaran." The band plays at Webster Hall Monday night.
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A Musical Tribute to John Denver
John Denver would have turned 70 years old at the end of this year. The singer-songwriter best known for his string of hits in the 1970s like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High” died 15 years ago, when the plane he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean. A new album called The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver features artists like Lucinda Williams, Dave Matthews, Jim James and Sharon Van Etten – all putting their own spin on John Denver’s catalog of songs. ATO...
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Ryan Bingham Steps Out, In The Studio
When Ryan Bingham visited Soundcheckin 2010, he had just won a Golden Globe for “The Weary Kind," a song co-written with producer T. Bone Burnett for the film Crazy Heart, which starred Jeff Bridges as a country music burnout. Bingham would go on to win an Oscar and a Grammy for the song. A career path into Nashville's mainstream seemed possible, yet, on his follow-up record, Bingham is showing an independent streak. Tomorrowland -- which Bingham is releasing himself on a label co-founded...
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Gig Alert: Wadada Leo Smith & Angelica Sanchez
Trumpet player Wadada Leo Smith is best known for his avant garde compositions; pianist Angelica Sanchez for her lyrical expression. Now, you can hear the pair of boundary-pushing musicians debut brand new collaborative work, as they get ready to hit the recording studio. The pair plays at Greenwich House Saturday night. Listen to the song "Don Cherry's Electric Sonic Garden."
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'Studio 360' Listeners Remix Spring
Spring is officially here, but for one of our sister programs at WNYC, the season started a little bit early. Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen recently embarked on a listener challenge called “Remixing Spring.” The show posted twelve bird songs taken from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which recently completed digitizing its collection of 150,000 animal sounds. Listeners were tasked with taking those clips and making an original composition from them. Over one hundred people participated....
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Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Hits Broadway For...
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, a television adaptation of the classic fairy tale, first aired in 1957. But until this year, the songwriting duo’s take on the story of the glass slipper has never been on Broadway. Douglas Carter Beane wrote a new book for the musical that updates and fleshes out the characters for a thoroughly modern take on the tale. So why did it take so long for this adaptation to hit the stage? Music supervisor David Chase tells Soundcheck host John Schaefer that...
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Legendary British Producer Joe Boyd On Nick Drake
While the music of Nick Drakewasn't particularly well-known in his lifetime, since his death in 1974 at age 26,the late English songwriter's intimate and dark songshave influenced countless musicians. And Drake has developed a posthumous resurgence,thanks, in part, to commercials and films that have introduced his music to new fans. Now, there's a brand new Nick Drake tribute compilation album presented by Joe Boyd, the legendary British folk producer who worked with not only the young...
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Gig Alert: Lady
Lady is the name of the new project from British songwriter Terri Walker, and Atlanta musician Nicole Wray. The two bonded over their shared love of ‘60s soul and hip hop – and they’ve just released their first collaborative record. The duo plays at Joe’s Pub Thursday night. Listen to the track "Get Ready".
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Audacious And Awkward Rock Stars
Karen O, the kinetic singer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, is notorious for her explosive and commanding on-stage performances. But as music writer Lizzy Goodman wrote in a new profile of the band for The New York Times Magazine, O and her bandmates -- guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase -- are surprisingly awkward and shy. It’s this quality, Goodman says, that's played a part in propelling the band -- who's set to release its fourth album, Mosquito on April 16 -- toward rock stardom. On Yeah...
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Abigail Washburn Is A 'Post-American Girl'
Since her 2005 debut in 2005, Abigail Washburnhas paired the sounds of traditional American bluegrass with the folk music and arts of China. Nearly twenty years after her fascination with China began, the songwriter, and clawhammer banjo player is dramatizing her own story in a new staged piece, Post-American Girl. Set List: “Taiyang Chulai” “Banjo Pickin’ Girl” Listen to a special web extra - a new piece for Post-American Girl, called "Go Down." Abigail Washburn - Go Down On how Washburn's...
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Yo-Yo Ma: Still Honored, Still Exploring
Yo-Yo Mais among the most famous names in classical music today, but his reputation extends far beyond that world. The famed cellist has worked in and melded a wide array of genres including bluegrass, jazz, Brazilian, Asian, and film music. He's performed for presidents and at the Oscars; been on television shows like The Simpsons and PBS’s Arthur; and he’s won highly prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and multiple Grammy awards....
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Gig Alert: Clint Mansell
Clint Mansell is an English musician, formerly with the band Pop Will Eat Itself. But for the last fifteen years he’s worked primarily in film scores – his credits include Black Swan, The Wrestler, and Requiem for a Dream. His latest score is for the gothic mystery Stoker. Mansellmakes his New York City debut Wednesday night with the Wordless Music series at Church of St. Paul the Apostle.
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Local Natives: California Psych-Rock In The Studio
In 2009,Local Nativesstormed out ofLos Angeleswith the poppy and harmonious sound of their debut full length,Gorilla Manor. Bolstered by that sound, which was typified by the standout single, "Wide Eyes," the Los Angeles-based group spent the next few years on the road backing indie giantslike Arcade Fire and the National — and doing a bit of headlining themselves.Now, the band’ssophomore album,Hummingbird,showcases the group's nuances while keeping in tact the catchiness of their first...
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Share Your Favorite Misheard Lyrics
Have you ever misheard a lyric? And maybe that confusion continued for weeks, or months? It's surely happened to all of us at one point or another. There areentire sites devotedto this phenomenon -- known as a "mondegreen." Maybe you're the one who heard the line from Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" as "'scuse me, while I kiss this guy." Or perhaps you misheard R.E.M.'s line in "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" as "Calling Jamaica" instead of "Call me when you try to wake her." Or maybe you're our...
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Musical Mondegreens: The Best Thing You’ve Misheard;...
In This Episode: As soon as you put words to music, there’s a good chance someone is going to misunderstand them. Misheard lyrics, or mondegreens, are funny -- but they also tell us something about how we listen. We queue up some classic misheard lyrics. Plus, we'll open the phones. Tune in at 9pm ET on Tuesday, April 2nd to call in with your favorites too! Plus: A visit from the Los Angeles-based psych-rock band Local Natives, who recently released a new album called Hummingbird.
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Gig Alert: Torben Waldorff
The Danish electric guitarist Torben Waldorff writes in a jazz setting, but has said his early influences included the iconic Jimi Hendrix. Torben Waldorff’s latest album is called Wah-Wah, after the sound-bending foot pedal that Hendrix loved so much. Listen to the song “Circle and Up". The band plays at Bar Next Door Tuesday night.
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Nataly Dawn Isn't All Rainbows And Sugar Cookies
Singer-songwriter Nataly Dawn is one half of the wide-eyed, YouTube-famous duo Pomplamoose. You might have seen their viral video covering Beyonce's "Single Ladies," which is steadily creeping toward 10 million views. But, as she explains to Soundcheck host John Schaefer, when it comes to both her solo music and that of her Pomplamoose partner, Jack Conte, things get a little more serious. "Pomplamoose tends to stay pretty lighthearted in our music," Dawn says. "People are often surprised...
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This Is What A Contractual Disagreement Sounds Like
Last week, we heard some of the new album from the Strokes. Titled Comedown Machine, it marks the band’s 5th album – which, as Grantland writer Steven Hydenpointed out on our show, wraps up the band’s five-album contract with RCA Records. Now, whether or not the Strokes did this album just to fulfill their contract, we may never know. But there have been plenty of instances of bands or artists that have put out some rather unusual records just to fulfill their legal obligations. Joining us...
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Gig Alert: Caitlin Rose
ABC’s hit show Nashville has brought a flurry of new attention to the country mecca and its flourishing music scene. Someone you may not have heard yet, but will soon, is singer, songwriter, and yes - Nashville resident - Caitlin Rose. Catch her set Monday night at the Mercury Lounge. Listen to "Waitin".
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Kendrick Scott: Leading From Behind
Drummer Kendrick Scott once described himself in an interview as a “pretty boring guy…. I spend most of my time doing music-related stuff.” However, one exception to that rule is basketball, which he plays and loves to watch. But, as we found out, even conversations about basketball eventually turn to music. "It's so akin to what we're doing," he tells us, referring to his jazz quintet, Oracle. "It's like all of these guys are Lebron James. If they need to be a foundation guy, they can do...
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Tecla: There's Something Beautiful About Making People...
New York native Tecla makes a style of music she’s called “Tropical Electronic Pop.” It’s a blend of all the diverse sounds and traditions this first generation American has come across over the years. This includes the soundtrack of her childhood -- from Italian opera to Haitian vodou chants -- and the work of her friends and collaborators, including Das Racist, Gordon Voidwell, Charlift and others. The singer, producer, rapper and DJ has a new album called We Are The Lucky Ones. She plays...
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Gig Alert: Superhuman Happiness
It all starts with a pair of hands for New York indie dance group Superhuman Happiness. The seven-piece band, which includes members of Afrobeat group Antibalas, usually likes to kick things off with a round of syncopated handclaps. The rest of the rhythms follow. Listen to the song "Sentimental Pieces." The band plays at Le Poisson Rouge Friday night. Needles and Pins...
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New York City's Hip Hop Legacy, Memorialized In Street...
In New York City, there are street signs practically everywhere you look: regulations, noise violations, directions, and -- at least for the moment -- rap lyrics. Street artist and graphic designer Jason Shelowitz, known as Jay Shells, has been installing these signs at various locations in the city to memorialize their mention in hip hop lyrics. According to Shelowitz, it all started with Big L's "Lifestylez ov da Poor Dangerous." "I was actually just working in my home studio on some fine...
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Thao And The Get Down Stay Down: Playful And...
Songwriter Thao Nguyen performs with one of the best band names in the business: Thao And The Get Down Stay Down. We The Common, the group's just-released new album -- and first since 2009's Know Better Learn Faster-- marks a turning point both in Nguyen's musical career and in her life. During a hiatus from touring and recording with the band (Thao released a collaborative album with singer-songwriter Mirah in 2011), Nguyen spent time connecting with family and volunteering at a women's...
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Rock 'N' Roll Day Trip: Hudson River Valley
The last time Lonely Planet's US editor Robert Reid was on the show, he shared Rock and Roll travel destinations, from St. Louis to Stonehenge. Now, he's back with a trip that's as easy as a train ride away. Find out about a Hudson River Valley weekender that includes the Woodstock Museum, a kitschy boutique hotel from one of the members of the B-52’s, intimate ‘Midnight Ramble’ concerts at the home of the late musician Levon Helm, and more.
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Gig Alert: Slavic Soul Party
The band Slavic Soul Party is known for weaving Balkan and Gypsy music with the sounds of jazz, funk and soul. Now, the Brooklyn group is bringing its spirit of reinvention to Duke Ellington’s iconic Far East Suite -- which they'll debut at Joe's Pub Thursday tonight. Listen to "Sing Sing Cocek". Slavic Soul Party plays Joe's Pub Thursday night.
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That WASN'T A Hit?!?: Squeeze, 'Tempted'
Every so often, our series, “That Was A Hit?!?,” catalogues songs that — however unlikely — charted in the Top 40. NPR Music contributorChris Molanphy, who previously profiled Prince’s “Batdance” in our series, suggested that we turn the series on its head, calling it, “That WASN’T A Hit?!?” “I find that just as much of the time that people are marveling that these bizarre songs were hits,” says Molanphy. “They’re also marveling that these unbelievably catchy, wonderful songs that we...
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A Different Dynamic For Music In Late Night Television
For decades, the sound of late night talk shows on television was primarily that of big bands. The 17-piece Tonight Show Band was around from the mid-1950s all the way to the '90s -- and, after Jay Leno took over the show in 1992, continued as a smaller band led by Branford Marsalis and Kevin Eubanks. There's the Paul Shaffer-led house band for The Late Show With David Letterman. And, for most of his runs on Late Nightand his very brief stintThe Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien's music was...
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25 Enduring Recordings Added To National Recording...
Every year since 2002, the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress has added 25 recordings of cultural significance to their registry. The organization has just announced this year’s inductees, which span from 1918 to 1980 and include artists from Artie Shaw to Ornette Coleman to Philip Glass. This year brings the total collection up to 375 recordings. Dr. James Billington, Librarian of Congress, is tasked with selecting the inductees. However, the nomination process is an...
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A Hawk And A Hacksaw's Ecstatic New Album
This week’s Check Ahead is from the band A Hawk and a Hacksaw. The New Mexico-based folk duo of Heather Trost and Jeremy Barnes has built its reputation on performing musicthat is rooted in Eastern European folk traditions. And as Barnes tells us, their new album,You Have Already Gone To The Other World, (outApr. 2), draws inspiration from a 1964 Soviet film from Sergei Parajanovcalled Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.You can listen to the ecstaticYou Have Already Gone To The Other World in...
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Gig Alert: Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers
Last year Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers went viral on youtube –-- with a kazoo-driven cover of the Hall and Oates song "I Can't Go For That." The San Francisco-based band certainly does a mean classic rock cover, but they really shine on their original songs. Listen to "Little Too Late" from Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers. The band plays Wednesday at Bowery Ballroom.
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'Comedown Machine' Is The Strokes' Weirdest Album Yet
The New York City band the Strokes exploded out of the gate twelve years ago with their highly acclaimed album, Is This It. Since then,they'veput out several more records, but not without rumors of possible breakups, band in-fighting, and some pretty harsh reviews. Today, the group releases their fifth album, Comedown Machine.Steven Hyden, staff writer for the sports and pop culture site, Grantland, tells us his thoughts on the new record — and relays a conspiracy theory going around about...
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STRFKR's Live Shows Still Feel Like A House Party
The indie dance band known as STRFKRbegan as a solo project for multi-instrumentalist Josh Hodges -- who just wished he saw more dancing at shows in his home of Portland, Oregon.Over the last few years, the group has solidified into a collective, bringing high energy live shows to as many moving bodies as will have them. STRFKR’s newest album,Miracle Mile, is out now. We speak with Hodges and drummer Keil Corcoran, and the band plays live in the studio. Setlist: “While I’m Alive” “Atlantis”...
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Phoenix: Harsh, Hostile, Ugly On ‘Bankrupt!’
For some reason, mixing consoles — those gigantic soundboards that are the heart of every recording studio — are making headlines in the music world right now. First, a one-of-a-kind Neve console is playing a starring role in the Dave Grohl-directed documentary, Sound City. Then in February, the New Yorker reported on a sound board purchased on eBay by the Grammy winning band, Phoenix. The console was used by Michael Jackson during the process of making his classic album, Thriller. The...
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Gig Alert: Margaret Glaspy
Rising singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy has said that she draws inspiration from artists like Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, and Lauryn Hill. Her raspy, emotive voice seems to channel the best of all of her influences. Listen to "Who Said". Margaret Glaspy plays at Cornelia Street Cafe on Tuesday night.
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Lions and Tigers and Unicyclists, Oh My!
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus is in town at Brooklyn's Barclay's Center this week. With it comes tigers, clowns, death-defying acrobatics -- and quite a bit of music. The composer Michael Picton crafted the score for the current tour, called "Built To Amaze." He joins us to talk about the challenges of soundtracking a basketball game played on unicycles and the all-important entrance of the elephants.
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The Waterboys Have 'An Appointment With Mister Yeats'
In 1983, Scottish-born guitarist and singer Mike Scott formed The Waterboys. Over the next 30 years, with the band and on his own, Scott has mined a rich vein of Celtic-tinged rock, much of it while living in Dublin. That’s worth mentioning, especially as The Waterboys’ new album is called An Appointment With Mister Yeats, and it takes poems by the Nobel Prize-winner W. B. Yeats -- a towering figure in 20th century literature and in Irish history -- and gives them some surprising musical...
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Gig Alert: Philip Hamilton
The Vital Vox Festival, on Monday night, celebrates the power of the human voice. Among the performers is award-winning vocalist and composer Philip Hamilton, who likes to go on aCapellaadventures -- on his own and with collaborators from around the globe. Listen to “Bulgaria Suite”. Philip Hamilton plays Roulette as part of the Vital Vox Festival on Monday...
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Dave Grohl: A Punk Rocker, Gone Mainstream
"I can truthfully say out loud that Gangnam Style is one of my favorite f#@%*! songs of the past decade," Dave Grohl recently said during his keynote address last week at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. "Is it any better or worse than the latest Atoms for Peace album?" Whether you agree with Grohl or not on that point, it's hard to deny that the 44-year-old rocker has earned the right to make his case. In just over a year’s time, he's won five Grammys for his latest...
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The Sound Of Wall
Here at Soundcheck, we’re big fans of the music video series known as the Black Cab Sessions. The concept is simple: Take an artist, stuff them into the back seat of one of those black taxis in London, and film them performing as the cab drives around. Now, the brains behind the series have founded a record label, BCS Records, and their first signing is the young British singer, songwriter and producer Lyla Foy, who performs under the monikerWall. (Watch Wall and her band recording a Black...
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Gig Alert: Sallie Ford And The Sound Outside
Sallie Ford has swagger. The guitarist and singer, along with her band, The Sound Outside, makes rock and roll with a wink and a snarl. Their new album is named, fittingly, “Untamed Beast.” Listen to the song “Party Kids.” The band plays at Bowery Ballroom Friday night. You can also catch them on Monday, March 25th at The Bell House.
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Ryan Keberle Believes That 'Music Is Emotion'
Ten years ago, trombone player Ryan Keberlewas among the first graduates of Juilliard’s jazz studies program. Since then, he’s broadened his musical scope to include RB and indie rock – playing alongside the likes of Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and Sufjan Stevens. But Keberle's latest release, Music is Emotion,is recorded with his own quartet, Catharsis. The group joined us to play two songs on the air -- and then stuck around to play us a little something extra. Take a listen to their cover...
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Headphones That Read Your Mind
Evolver.FM founder Eliot Van Buskirk joins us to talk about new brainwave-scanning headphones from the company Neurowear. The company brought a prototype of the futuristic headwear to the SXSW Trade Show last week in Austin, Texas -- and it caused quite a stir. We talk with Eliot about the capabilities and limits of the newfangled headphones, and talk about what could be coming down the pipeline next.
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'Nashville' Places Music Center Screen
Since the ABC seriesNashvillebegan last fall, millions of viewers have tuned in to watch the drama unfold between two fictional country music stars: the established icon Rayna Jaymes, played by Connie Britton, against the up-and-coming, Taylor Swift-esque Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Panettiere. But it’s more than just a compelling storyline that draws an audience to Nasvhille; what really seems to have made an impression is the series’ original music. A product of the literal marriage...
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Gig Alert: Alt-J Concert Stream
Tonight’s Gig Alert is a concert you can stream in your own home. Last week team Soundcheck was hard at work in Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Festival. Among the goodies we brought back is an entire concert from the Mercury prize-winning British band Alt-J. To hear the band’s full set from South By Southwest, listen above. And, watch some video from the concert, below.
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Buke And Gase: A Broader Sonic Range
Buke and Gasetakes its name from the duo's two primary instruments: The "buke," a six-string, guitar-like instrument built on a former baritone ukulele body played by Arone Dyer; and the "gase," a guitar-bass hybrid played by Aron Sanchez. The instruments were custom-made by Sanchez toaccommodateeach member's wishes and needs. But the band’s work didn’t end in the shop. The group also plays various foot-operated percussion and noisemakers in their explosive and energetic live performances....
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A New Song From Blondie
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of the band Blondie stop by the studio to share the brand new song, “Make a Way.” It’ll appear on a forthcoming album that will bear the punk icons' flair for eclectic sounds. (Stein tells Soundcheck that he's been "bugging out over modern Latin music," and the Colombian artists Bomba Estreoand Systema Solar are set to appear on the record.) Plus: hear the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers react to a jazz cover of their 1978 hit “Heart of Glass.” The pair will join...
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Gig Alert: Low
Over the course of two decades, the band Low hasn’t changed its sound very much --which is a good thing. The group’s hushed sound invites, and rewards, close listening. Their brand new studio album, their tenth, is called The Invisible Way. The band plays at the New York Society for Ethical Culture tonight as part of the Wordless...
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Designer Dapper Dan Remixed Hip Hop Fashion
In the late 1980s, hip hop was in a transitional phase, leaving disco beats and party tracks behind in favor of drum samples and rhymes with a hard edge or an experimental flair. Eric B. Rakim helped lead the way on that front with their classic 1987 album, Paid In Full. They appeared on the iconic cover of that album in custom Gucci jackets like no one had seen before. The styling was provided by Dapper Dan, the Harlem designer who outfitted rappers, pro athletes, celebrities, and a few...
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Veronica Falls Goes Pop On 'Waiting For Something To...
British quartet Veronica Fallsmarried the morbid with the sweet on their 2010 debut single, "Found Love in a Graveyard." Their latest release, Waiting for Something to Happen,has a bit less gothic and a bit more pop.“It’s kind of a more clean recording, I guess,” says guitarist and vocalist James Hoare. “But we weren’t intentionally going for that.” Regardless of intent, Waiting for Something to Happen is a punchy and upbeat record that’s light as a feather. It’s that weightlessness that...
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New Musical Celebrates 'The Wonderful Wizard Of Song'
The story of The Wizard of Oz returned to movie theaters this month in strong fashion withOz The Great And Powerful. Based on the popular Oz books by L. Frank Baum, the 1939 adaptation became an instant classic thanks to its captivating plot that includes witches, wizards, and a little girl trying to get back home. But perhaps the film’s greatness would not have been solidified without itsmemorable songs like “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “If I Were King of the Forest,” and, of course,...
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Check Ahead: Harper Simon, 'Division Street'
Singer and songwriter Harper Simon debuted early, very early. In 1976, at the tender age of four, he joined his father, Paul, for a rousing performance of “Bingo,” recorded for Sesame Street. He was a quick study: But it took Simon until 2010, when he was 37, to release his self-titled debut. He recorded the vintage-hued, country-flavored album in Nashville with famed producer Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash), a cast of veteran session players, and friends like Marc Ribot and Yuka...
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Check Ahead: OneRepublic, 'Native'
In a recent interview, Ryan Tedder, the founder and songwriter ofOneRepublic,reveals that the band decided to call its third studio album Native (out Mar 26th) because “we’re intrinsically not an American sounding band.” “We don’t have that obvious American sound to us,” Tedder explains. “I wanted all the people in South Africa, Poland, France, Australia -- I wanted the music to feel like it was indigenous to them, like it was native to where they were from.” It’s not a far reach to say that...
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Gig Alert: Savages
The British post-punk band Savages made quite a splash the last time they were in town, for the annual CMJ festival back in October. Fans on Twitter reported lines out the door to see the all-female quartet’s brash live set. Now, New Yorkers get another chance to catch them in action. Listen to "I Am Here". The band plays at Music Hall of Williamsburg Tuesday night.
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Snoop Doggy Doc
The new documentary Reincarnated aims to explain why rapper Snoop Dogg reinvented himself as the non-rapping reggae artist Snoop Lion. The transformation was about more than just a name change, according to Esquire contributor Jaime Lowe. As it turns out, Snoop is doing some old-fashioned soul-searching because, as Lowe writes, "hip-hop doesn’t have a grow-old plan." The film isSnoop Dogg’s Eat, Pray, Love moment, Lowe tells Soundcheck, referring to the 2006 bestseller about one woman’s soul...
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That Was a Hit?!?: Prince, 'Batdance'
Can you name all five of Prince's hits that have hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100? Go ahead, try. If you guessed "Kiss," "Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry," you'd be right. But the last two are pretty tricky. One is "Cream" -- Prince's only #1 hit of the 1990s -- and the toughest of all... is "Batdance." As music writer and pop chart columnist Chris Molanphy tells us, "Batdance," written for the 1989 Batman film, is more of a mashup or remix than an actual song. It jumps from tempo to...
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Like a Song? Make It Last 800 Times Longer.
Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" has gotten the treatment. So has Justin Bieber's "U Smile." And David Bowie's "Heroes." Those are just a few examples of songs that have been time-stretched by various producers and remix artists -- meaning that they've been lengthened (sometimes a lot) without any changes in pitch. We take a listen to some examples of time-stretched music with author Tamara Palmer, and hear about the history of the technique. Other examples of music that has been time-stretched:
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A Modern Revolution: Hip Hop Shines Over The Arab Spring
The story of the Arab Spring is the story of a modern revolution. Starting in late 2010, the world watched as protesters used social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to help bring down autocratic governments in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. But there was another driving force that hasn’t gotten as much attention: hip hop. It began with a protest song, “Rais Lebled,” by the Tunisian rapper, El General. It was a stinging indictment of his country’s repressive government, and it landed...
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Gig Alert: Talib Kweli
Since he first emerged in the late 1990s, rapper Talib Kweli has become known for his passionate lyrics, as well as his rapid-fire delivery -- both on his own and with Black Star, his collaboration with Mos Def. Tonight, he’ll play career-spanning songs at Brooklyn Bowl with a full band. Talib Kweli plays Monday at Brooklyn Bowl
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Devendra Banhart: What It Would Sound Like If The Shaggs...
Our coverage of this week's SXSW festival continues! We catch up with singer-songwriterDevendra Banhart, who just released his first full-length album in four years, called Mala. He acts as our correspondent on the ground in Austin, TX, reporting that, "we're deep in the bush, and it's burning." Plus he talks about writing music after a four-year hiatus in the visual arts.
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Richard Hell: Rock And Roll Made Me Handsome
As the musician and writer Richard Hell tells it, he spent much of his Kentucky childhood dreaming of running away. He came to New York penniless -- and went on to become one of the influential voices of 1970s punk. He started bands like Television, the Heartbreakers and the Voidoids, and was a pivotal part of the now-iconic punk club CBGBs. Many have told Hell’s story over the years. Now, he’s telling it himself, in a book called I Dreamed I Was a Very Clean Tramp: An Autobiography. He...
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Gig Alert: Los Mas Valientes
Brooklyn-born flutist, percussionist and composerJessica Valiente leads the Latin jazz and salsa band Los Mas Valientes. The group is celebrating the release of a brand new live album -- and one of the best ways to appreciate this band is by dancing the mambo with them. Failing that, you can just listen. The group plays Swing 46 Friday night.
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Dispatches From SXSW: Waxahatchee, Youth Lagoon And Alt-J
This week is the annual South By Southwest music festival in Austin Texas. Thousands of bands are playing, and the whole city is swimming in music -- night AND day, indoors and out. Our digital producer Mike Katzif is there too, and he's been sending some must-hear sessions back our way. Waxahatchee is the recording project of singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield. Katzif and Soundcheck's field engineer, Rachel Neel, recorded Katie at 9 a.m. this morning on a patio outside Austin’s Yellow...
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We’re Not In Kansas Anymore: Music Of The Wizard Of Oz
Since it was first published in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s classic novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” has been adapted for stage and screen a countless number of times. But that hasn’t seemed to diminish the story’s popularity. The latest iteration, Disney’s “Oz the Great and Powerful,” brought in more than $150 million during its opening weekend. Along with those many adaptations has come a great deal of music – some of which has become just as classic as the story itself. Joining us with some...
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The Not So Slight Return Of Jimi Hendrix
The number one album on the Billboard chart this week is from the 36 year old country star Luke Bryan. The number two album is from a musician who hasn’t recorded a new song for more than 36 years -- Jimi Hendrix. His new, posthumous album is called “People, Hell And Angels.” Billboard editor and Soundcheck regular Joe Levy joins us to discuss. You can read more on the album from Joe Levy here.
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Shout Out Louds Play With Time And Light On 'Optica'
The Swedish band Shout Out Louds have been making their moody, highly danceable indie pop for ten years and running -- but these days, they’re not in very much of a hurry. The group took their time writing and recording their new, meticulously constructed pop album, called Optica.We hear more about the quintet's process, and we get a live performance. The band released a limited edition kit for fans to make a 7" out of ice, for the song 'Blue Ice.' Watch the instructional video:
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Gig Alert: Fang Island
Some bands make music that is so infectious, so good-timey, you can’t help but smile. The Brooklyn group Fang Island has described their sound as "everyone high-fiving everyone" – and we agree. Their song "Asunder" has some serious riffage to get your day (or night) started right. The band plays Union Pool Thursday night.
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Josh Ritter: Sometimes You're Stalked By Heartbreak
You know the saying, it is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. We don’t think that’s helped anyone going through a breakup. But it has led to some great, enduring albums -- like Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, and Richard and Linda Thompson’s Shoot Out the Lights. Now, Josh Ritter is adding to that long tradition. Josh Ritter’s new album is called The Beast In Its Tracks, and it chronicles the end of his marriage to another musician, the singer songwriter Dawn Landes. He...
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Smackdown: When Rockers Use Choirs
A good choir can send chills up your spine. And in recent years, choirs have really broken out of their traditionally religious mold -- like the Scala KolacnyBrother’s choir from Belgium, which has become world renowned for their covers of pop and rock songs like Radiohead’s “Creep” and Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody.” But what about when rock and pop artists are the ones leading the choir? We asked New Yorker editor Ben Greenman and author and music writer Sean Manning to join us for a...
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Snap Review: Justin Timberlake's '20/20 Experience'
It’s been almost seven years since Justin Timberlake released his hugely successful album Future Sex/Love Sounds-- but this week, the pop star decided his fans had waited long enough. A week before the official release of his highly-anticipated latest effort, called The 20/20 Experience, the album hit iTunes as a free stream. Melissa Maerz, senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, joins us for a snap review.
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Gig Alert: Jennifer Koh and Jaime Laredo
Jennifer Koh has become one of the most admired violinists of her generation, but she still loves playing with her former teacher Jaime Laredo. They will celebrate their musical bond with a concert, together, called Two x Four, that includes music by Philip Glass, Anna Clyne, Bach, and more.
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Dennis Hopper's Weird Musical World
The late actor and director Dennis Hopper, who died in 2010 at the age of 74, had a tendency to play strange, often deranged characters -- like the manic photojournalist in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 epic, Apocalypse Now, and the psychopath Frank Booth in David Lynch’s 1989 psychological thriller, Blue Velvet. As the saying goes, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and Hopper’s life seemed immersed in the chaotic and bizarre (and narcotic). But it was more than just a succession of...
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For Eels' New Album, The Idea Was To Not Have An Idea
Eelsis the the longtime, ever-evolving project led by guitarist and songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, who also goes by the single initial “E.” Over the last two decades, Everett has managed to keep one foot in the mainstream, with alternative chart hits, and one foot in the decidedly experimental and deeply conceptual.His dynamic songs have brought Eels critical acclaim, and the band’s latest album, Wonderful, Glorious, is no exception. Everett, along with guitarists P-Boo and The Chet, join...
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Check Ahead: Tecla, 'We Are The Lucky Ones'
“I was born for this,” says the singer, pianist, producer and DJTecla, as she sits at Soundcheck’s Steinway piano. The New York native explains that “la tecla,” which her dad shouted out at her birth a couple of decades ago, is Spanish for piano key. Despite the fact that her mother may have had other plans, name-wise, “Tecla” stuck -- “and that,” she says, “was it.” There’s a lot more than prescient name, though, to the story of Tecla. The daughter of Haitian and Italian immigrants, she’s...
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South By Southwest Is Here! Now Who Should I See?
This week, 1000’s of bands, journalists, publicists, record label reps and hungry music fans will head to Austin, Texas for South By Southwest. Soundcheck producer Michael Katzif will be down there bringing you a small taste of the festival each day with blog posts, photos, and more. Follow the action here on the Soundcheck Web site and on Soundcheck's Tumblr page. And be sure to follow on Instagram at instagram.com/soundcheckradio and Twitter:@Soundcheck, @mikekatzif as well as WNYC's...
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Gig Alert: The Whigs
The Whigs are a snarling southern garage rock band, from that musical hotbed of Athens, Georgia -- home to REM, the B-52s and so many other groups. If you’ve been pining for summer, their song "Summer Heat" might tide you over until June hits. The band plays Mercury Lounge Tuesday night.
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Napster Revisited
The new documentary Downloaded tells the story of Napster, the file-sharing service that ushered in a new era of digital music. Launched in 1999 by a group of friends that met on the Internet, Napster grew to 20 million users -- many of them living on college campuses -- before being shut down by a court order in 2001. Before he traveled to South by Southwest to premiere Downloaded, director Alex Winter (who starred with Keanu Reeves in the Bill Ted's Excellent Adventure films) joins us to...
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- New York, NY
- Music Talk, Live Music, Public Radio
- WNYC
- English
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WNYC Radio
160 Varick St.
New York, NY 10013(212) 433-9692 -
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