Jan 2nd, 2009 · Andrew Bird's new CD Noble Beast is the fifth in a series of smart and crafty solo albums. This week NPR Music is giving you the chance to hear the entire record as part of our First Listen series. Then, on Thursday, January 8 at 1p.m., ET, NPR's Bob Boilen will lead a listening party. Come join us for a live chat and tell everyone what you think of this new album from Andrew Bird. You can sign up for a reminder below.
Dec 30th, 2008 · This year at NPR Music ends the way the previous 29 have for NPR and its jazz partner WBGO: with live jazz, all night long. Toast of the Nation features jazz groups welcoming the new year across the country, from New York to Los Angeles, Boston to New Orleans. Here's a preview of the night's artists.
Dec 23rd, 2008 · Bird is a classically trained violinist and former swing-jazz musician whose sonic palette includes a quirky mix of Gypsy ballads, jazz, folk and whistled melodies. It's a sound that leaves critics swooning and fans giddy with the kind of devotion normally reserved for pop idols. On Jan. 20, 2009, the singer will release his fifth full-length studio album. Hear Noble Beast in its entirety here, exclusively on NPR Music.
Nov 26th, 2008 · Hitting the road today? Sitting in an airport? Want some joy in your kitchen? Hear a concert from Radiohead or a profile on Duke Ellington. Listen to the Kinks' Ray Davies' favorite songs or a country music big band. Have some company before the company arrives. Try a podcast from NPR Music.
Nov 7th, 2008 · Jim White is a storyteller first and a musician second. It's a kind of storytelling rooted in his own unusual history: He grew up in Florida in a deeply Pentecostal community and fell in love with the white gospel music he heard. But from there, White took a surprising path to becoming a full-time musician. He was a professional surfer, a boxer, a fashion model in Milan and a cab driver in New York City. White's travels recently took him to Washington, D.C., where he stopped by the offices of NPR Music for this live performance.
Oct 20th, 2008 · Dr. Dog isn't an obvious choice for one of NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts. For one thing, it's a pretty big group, at least for the small space behind Bob Boilen's desk. The band's music can be pretty chaotic — loud and rumbling, with multiple instruments fighting to be heard. And singer Toby Leaman likes to belt out his vocals in a window-rattling, raspy growl.
Jul 11th, 2008 · What's that noise? Do you hear it? It sounds like maybe a spoon in a garbage disposal. Oh, wait, it's just NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich playing death metal through his headphones again. On this edition of All Songs Considered, Gotrich sits down with host Bob Boilen and talks about some of the artists he thinks have been noticeably absent from the show this year — some hard and loud, some ethereal and restrained. Hear music from Harvey Milk, Sebmo, Extra Life, Jacaszek and more.
Mar 5th, 2008 · We're pretty excited about this year's South by Southwest music festival. NPR Music and All Songs Considered will be in Austin next week, blogging, broadcasting and webcasting nearly two dozen live concerts. You'll hear R.E.M., My Morning Jacket, Jens Lekman, Vampire Weekend and many more, all webcast live on NPR.org. On this edition of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen chats with NPR Music blogger and Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein, and music producer Stephen Thompson about the head-spinning number of bands they're most excited to see.