Mar 9th, 2010 · On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen chats with NPR Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson about some of the bands they're most looking forward to seeing at this year's South by Southwest music festival. Hear music from some great discoveries, including the metal group Black Cobra and rapper Rye Rye.
Mar 5th, 2010 · Join All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen at 11 a.m. ET, Monday, Mar. 8, when he talks live online with Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) and James Mercer (The Shins) about the duo's new project, Broken Bells. The two will talk about their new, self-titled album, and take questions from listeners in an online chat room. You can hear Broken Bells in its entirety, as part of our Exclusive First Listen series.
Mar 1st, 2010 · The songs on July Flame orbit around Veirs' acoustic-guitar playing and voice. But it's her idiosyncratic lyrics and melodic flourishes that imbue her music with sun-dappled warmth; hers is the sound of immense, wide-open spaces. When a very pregnant Veirs settled in for this performance behind Bob Boilen's desk, that same kind-hearted intimacy shone through.
Feb 15th, 2010 · With a trove of instruments, languages and good humor, Abaji demonstrates his passion for music that reflects his numerous family roots, including Armenia, Turkey, Greece and France. Watch him perform a short concert at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.
Feb 8th, 2010 · Castaneda is the sort of musician who isn't afraid to challenge the established order. He's carving out a place for himself in Latin jazz on an instrument you don't often hear in his style of music: the Colombian harp. Castaneda recently parked himself behind Bob Boilen's desk and crafted a transporting mix of tradition and improvisation.
Feb 5th, 2010 · It's February again, which means it's time to write and record another album. This has become an annual ritual for me and Bob Boilen (and thousands of others around the world), all of us taking part in what's called the RPM Challenge.
Jan 20th, 2010 · When The Low Anthem came to perform at NPR Music, the band seemed humbled and comfortable sitting on and around Bob Boilen's desk, playing music as if it were hanging around in someone's living room. The group's sullen, spacious music was a perfect fit for the intimacy of an office.
Jan 19th, 2010 · At GlobalFEST in New York City on Jan. 10, Nguyen Le's group made some of the best music Bob Boilen heard that day. There, the performer cut a small figure, but with a mighty electric-guitar sound. It helped that he was flanked by the extraordinary Mieko Miyazaki on koto (a zither-like Japanese stringed instrument) and Prabhu Edouard on tabla.