Music Interviews http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1105&ft=1&f=1105 Interviews with top musicians from jazz, blues, rock, pop, folk, classical, urban, and world music. Listen online to live studio sessions and musician interviews and watch video sessions. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Music Interviews http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1105&ft=1&f=1105 It's A Process: Mount Kimbie On Making Their New Album The British duo struggled, broke through and got by with a little help from its friends. Fri, 24 May 2013 13:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/05/24/186452608/its-a-process-mount-kimbie-on-making-their-new-album?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/05/24/186452608/its-a-process-mount-kimbie-on-making-their-new-album?ft=1&f=1105 The British duo struggled, broke through and got by with a little help from its friends.

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]]> Igor Stravinsky's 'Rite Of Spring' Counterrevolution Not long after his shocking ballet, the composer branched out into a broad range of styles, ushering in new musical trends far from the violent tone of his iconic <em>Rite of Spring</em>. Fri, 24 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/05/24/186296467/igor-stravinskys-rite-of-spring-counterrevolution?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/05/24/186296467/igor-stravinskys-rite-of-spring-counterrevolution?ft=1&f=1105 Not long after his shocking ballet, the composer branched out into a broad range of styles, ushering in new musical trends far from the violent tone of his iconic Rite of Spring.

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]]> Marques Toliver: An R&B Crooner With Strings Attached Toliver's music is anchored by the violin, on which he is classically trained. He says he discovered the instrument in fifth grade — and that in a way, it chose him. Sun, 19 May 2013 05:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/184852129/marques-toliver-an-r-b-crooner-with-strings-attached?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/184852129/marques-toliver-an-r-b-crooner-with-strings-attached?ft=1&f=1105 Toliver's music is anchored by the violin, on which he is classically trained. He says he discovered the instrument in fifth grade — and that in a way, it chose him.

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]]> Laura Mvula: A Soulful Voice That Once Answered Phones Less than two years ago, she was a receptionist honing her phone-answering skills at a music organization in Birmingham, England. Now, she's got a record deal and critical acclaim, and she's touring the U.S. Sun, 19 May 2013 05:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/184852705/laura-mvula-a-soulful-voice-that-once-answered-phones?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/19/184852705/laura-mvula-a-soulful-voice-that-once-answered-phones?ft=1&f=1105 Less than two years ago, she was a receptionist honing her phone-answering skills at a music organization in Birmingham, England. Now, she's got a record deal and critical acclaim, and she's touring the U.S.

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]]> Bobby McFerrin: Spirituals As Sung Prayers On <em></em><em>Spirityouall</em>, McFerrin performs classic black spirituals with roots in enslaved communities, as well as songs he composed himself. Throughout the album, he says, he hears the influence of his father, Robert McFerrin Sr., a renowned operatic baritone. Fri, 17 May 2013 16:10:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184797055/bobby-mcferrin-spirituals-as-sung-prayers?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184797055/bobby-mcferrin-spirituals-as-sung-prayers?ft=1&f=1105 On Spirityouall, McFerrin performs classic black spirituals with roots in enslaved communities, as well as songs he composed himself. Throughout the album, he says, he hears the influence of his father, Robert McFerrin Sr., a renowned operatic baritone.

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]]> Sam Amidon: Reshaping An American Folk Tradition Shape-note singing is a communal form of music that began in New England 200 years ago, mostly from townsfolk without any musical training. Sam Amidon says the melodies of shape-note hymns are some of the "deepest-seated for me." Fri, 17 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184547006/sam-amidon-reshaping-an-american-folk-tradition?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184547006/sam-amidon-reshaping-an-american-folk-tradition?ft=1&f=1105 Shape-note singing is a communal form of music that began in New England 200 years ago, mostly from townsfolk without any musical training. Sam Amidon says the melodies of shape-note hymns are some of the "deepest-seated for me."

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]]> Daft Punk On 'The Soul That A Musician Can Bring' In spite of the robotic persona they've cultivated for years, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo elected to make their new album, <em>Random Access Memories,</em> in a real studio, with real musicians. Hear the elusive electronic duo in conversation with <em>All Things Considered</em>'s Audie Cornish. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:29:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184499357/daft-punk-on-the-soul-that-a-musician-can-bring?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184499357/daft-punk-on-the-soul-that-a-musician-can-bring?ft=1&f=1105 In spite of the robotic persona they've cultivated for years, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo elected to make their new album, Random Access Memories, in a real studio, with real musicians. Hear the elusive electronic duo in conversation with All Things Considered's Audie Cornish.

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]]> Vampire Weekend: New Sounds Signal The End Of An Era Singer Ezra Koenig says the band's new album, <em>Modern Vampires of the City</em>, is the final part of a trilogy — and the product of a lot of reflection on time and aging. Tue, 14 May 2013 16:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183922426/vampire-weekend-new-sounds-signal-the-end-of-an-era?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183922426/vampire-weekend-new-sounds-signal-the-end-of-an-era?ft=1&f=1105 Singer Ezra Koenig says the band's new album, Modern Vampires of the City, is the final part of a trilogy — and the product of a lot of reflection on time and aging.

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]]> Balancing Influences: Saxophonist Mahanthappa Blends Styles Rudresh Mahanthappa's work always seems to be filed under jazz, but it's hard to find a style he doesn't touch: hip-hop, country, metal and soul fused with traditional sounds from India, Africa and Indonesia. And he makes it rock. Sun, 12 May 2013 15:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/12/182956820/balancing-influences-saxophonist-mahanthappa-blends-styles?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/12/182956820/balancing-influences-saxophonist-mahanthappa-blends-styles?ft=1&f=1105 Rudresh Mahanthappa's work always seems to be filed under jazz, but it's hard to find a style he doesn't touch: hip-hop, country, metal and soul fused with traditional sounds from India, Africa and Indonesia. And he makes it rock.

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]]> LL Cool J On 'Accidental Racist' And Authenticity "The last thing that I want to do is be a hack," says the rapper and actor. His latest album, his first since splitting with the record label that launched his career, is called <em>Authentic</em>. Sat, 11 May 2013 16:54:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/182956651/ll-cool-j-on-accidental-racist-and-authenticity?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/182956651/ll-cool-j-on-accidental-racist-and-authenticity?ft=1&f=1105 "The last thing that I want to do is be a hack," says the rapper and actor. His latest album, his first since splitting with the record label that launched his career, is called Authentic.

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]]> Yngwie Malmsteen: 'I've Always Been A Little Bit Of An Extremist' Malmsteen is the king of the neoclassical shred guitar. The Swedish musician and composer has somehow bridged centuries, from Paganini to his own arpeggiated acrobatics. Here, the guitarist speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about being a family man and growing up on Bach and Jimi Hendrix. Sat, 11 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/182627398/yngwie-malmsteen-ive-always-been-a-little-bit-of-an-extremist?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/11/182627398/yngwie-malmsteen-ive-always-been-a-little-bit-of-an-extremist?ft=1&f=1105 Malmsteen is the king of the neoclassical shred guitar. The Swedish musician and composer has somehow bridged centuries, from Paganini to his own arpeggiated acrobatics. Here, the guitarist speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about being a family man and growing up on Bach and Jimi Hendrix.

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]]> 'It Led Us On A Journey': The Musical World Of 'The Great Gatsby' In overseeing the new film's soundtrack, music supervisor Anton Monsted says he hoped to create a "sliding door" effect between the Jazz Age and the hip-hop era. Fri, 10 May 2013 17:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182882003/it-led-us-on-a-journey-the-musical-world-of-the-great-gatsby?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182882003/it-led-us-on-a-journey-the-musical-world-of-the-great-gatsby?ft=1&f=1105 In overseeing the new film's soundtrack, music supervisor Anton Monsted says he hoped to create a "sliding door" effect between the Jazz Age and the hip-hop era.

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]]> A Funky-Fresh Sound From Somalia, With A Political History A dance band called Dur-Dur Band ruled the nightclub scene in 1980s Mogadishu, thanks to a unique sound made possible by access to Western culture and instruments. Sun, 05 May 2013 15:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/05/180871371/a-funky-fresh-sound-from-somalia-with-a-political-history?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/05/180871371/a-funky-fresh-sound-from-somalia-with-a-political-history?ft=1&f=1105 A dance band called Dur-Dur Band ruled the nightclub scene in 1980s Mogadishu, thanks to a unique sound made possible by access to Western culture and instruments.

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]]> Natalie Maines On Motherhood, Eddie Vedder And Leaving Country Music A decade after the Dixie Chicks' frontwoman came out against the Iraq War — the response to which brought the band's career to a halt — Maines returns with her solo debut, <em>Mother</em>. Thu, 02 May 2013 16:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/02/180594953/natalie-maines-on-motherhood-eddie-vedder-and-leaving-country-music?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/02/180594953/natalie-maines-on-motherhood-eddie-vedder-and-leaving-country-music?ft=1&f=1105 A decade after the Dixie Chicks' frontwoman came out against the Iraq War — the response to which brought the band's career to a halt — Maines returns with her solo debut, Mother.

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]]> Iggy Pop: 'What Happens When People Disappear' The ever-candid Stooges frontman joins NPR's Renee Montagne to discuss living life over the edge, how everyone comes around to his band late, and ways to "become a part of yesterday." Thu, 02 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/02/180337240/iggy-pop-what-happens-when-people-disappear?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/02/180337240/iggy-pop-what-happens-when-people-disappear?ft=1&f=1105 The ever-candid Stooges frontman joins NPR's Renee Montagne to discuss living life over the edge, how everyone comes around to his band late, and ways to "become a part of yesterday."

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