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 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:00:00 -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 The-Dream On Why We All Need R&B Terius Nash, better known as The-Dream, has written some of the most memorable recent pop hits, from Beyonce's "Single Ladies" to Rihanna's "Umbrella." But when he writes songs for himself, he makes R&B. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/19/193538349/the-dream-on-why-we-all-need-r-b?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/19/193538349/the-dream-on-why-we-all-need-r-b?ft=1&f=1105 Terius Nash, better known as The-Dream, has written some of the most memorable recent pop hits, from Beyonce's "Single Ladies" to Rihanna's "Umbrella." But when he writes songs for himself, he makes R&B.

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]]> Samberg, Taccone And Schaffer: Three's Not A Lonely Island As the brains behind the hip-hop parody group responsible for digital shorts like "D--- in a Box," Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer have produced some of the funniest <em>Saturday Night Live</em> material in recent memory. Here, they talk <em></em> about comedy, <em>Yo! MTV Raps</em> and adolescence. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/18/191347182/samberg-taccone-and-schaffer-threes-not-a-lonley-island?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/18/191347182/samberg-taccone-and-schaffer-threes-not-a-lonley-island?ft=1&f=1105 As the brains behind the hip-hop parody group responsible for digital shorts like "D--- in a Box," Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer have produced some of the funniest Saturday Night Live material in recent memory. Here, they talk about comedy, Yo! MTV Raps and adolescence.

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]]> Guest DJ: Daft Punk On The Music That Inspired 'Random Access Memories' The French electronic duo sits with NPR's Sami Yenigun to talk about their latest album, and share some of their favorite music by other artists, including James Blake, The Strokes and the '70s disco band Chic. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/06/14/191706647/guest-dj-daft-punk-on-the-music-that-inspired-random-access-memories?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/06/14/191706647/guest-dj-daft-punk-on-the-music-that-inspired-random-access-memories?ft=1&f=1105 The French electronic duo sits with NPR's Sami Yenigun to talk about their latest album, and share some of their favorite music by other artists, including James Blake, The Strokes and the '70s disco band Chic.

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]]> Terence Blanchard Turns A Tragic Champion Into An Opera Hero The jazz composer's latest project is an opera based on the life of Emile Griffith, a gay boxer who became a world champion in the 1960s — at a price. Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/15/191709047/terence-blanchard-turns-a-tragic-champion-into-an-opera-hero?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/15/191709047/terence-blanchard-turns-a-tragic-champion-into-an-opera-hero?ft=1&f=1105 The jazz composer's latest project is an opera based on the life of Emile Griffith, a gay boxer who became a world champion in the 1960s — at a price.

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]]> Heartbreak Takes John Vanderslice To 'Dagger Beach' The avant-indie rock veteran confronted his biggest fear — being alone in the middle of nowhere — and ended up with his first album outside the label system. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/14/191602109/heartbreak-takes-john-vanderslice-to-dagger-beach?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/14/191602109/heartbreak-takes-john-vanderslice-to-dagger-beach?ft=1&f=1105 The avant-indie rock veteran confronted his biggest fear — being alone in the middle of nowhere — and ended up with his first album outside the label system.

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]]> India.Arie Returns, With An Eye Toward A New 'SongVersation' In 2009, the singer-songwriter says she asked herself the question, "Who am I?" The answer led her to make plans to retire. Four years later, she's re-emerged with a new album called <em>SongVersation</em>, as well as a new sense of who she is as an artist. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:46:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/191313811/india-arie-returns-to-start-a-new-songversation?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/191313811/india-arie-returns-to-start-a-new-songversation?ft=1&f=1105 In 2009, the singer-songwriter says she asked herself the question, "Who am I?" The answer led her to make plans to retire. Four years later, she's re-emerged with a new album called SongVersation, as well as a new sense of who she is as an artist.

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]]> Flamenco Sensation Buika Embraces Her 'Animal' Voice When Buika was growing up on the Spanish island of Majorca, she was used to people saying her voice was ugly. But that didn't stop her. Today, Buika blends flamenco with jazz, blues and soul. Here, she explains how she found her voice and offers a look at her new album. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/191306990/flamenco-sensation-buika-embraces-her-animal-voice?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/13/191306990/flamenco-sensation-buika-embraces-her-animal-voice?ft=1&f=1105 When Buika was growing up on the Spanish island of Majorca, she was used to people saying her voice was ugly. But that didn't stop her. Today, Buika blends flamenco with jazz, blues and soul. Here, she explains how she found her voice and offers a look at her new album.

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]]> A Loaded Bible Story, Tweaked For The Opera Stage Composer Mark Adamo has made his mark turning classic books, including <em>Little Women</em> and the Greek drama <em>Lysistrata,</em> into operas. His latest, <em>The Gospel of Mary Magdalene,</em> covers more sensitive territory, examining the titular figure's relationship to Jesus — outside the canonical Bible. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:21:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/12/190742256/a-loaded-bible-story-tweaked-for-the-opera-stage?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/12/190742256/a-loaded-bible-story-tweaked-for-the-opera-stage?ft=1&f=1105 Composer Mark Adamo has made his mark turning classic books, including Little Women and the Greek drama Lysistrata, into operas. His latest, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, covers more sensitive territory, examining the titular figure's relationship to Jesus — outside the canonical Bible.

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]]> The National: 'We've Earned Our Stripes' Singer Matt Berninger and NPR's Audie Cornish discuss the band's new album <em>(Trouble Will Find Me),</em> being in a band of brothers, how his own brother inspired "I Should Live in Salt," and his own sheepish attitude toward the band's recent success. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/190978705/the-national-weve-earned-our-stripes?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/190978705/the-national-weve-earned-our-stripes?ft=1&f=1105 Singer Matt Berninger and NPR's Audie Cornish discuss the band's new album (Trouble Will Find Me), being in a band of brothers, how his own brother inspired "I Should Live in Salt," and his own sheepish attitude toward the band's recent success.

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]]> John Mellencamp, Stephen King And T-Bone Burnett On World Cafe The venerated entertainers dive into uncharted territory together: a musical 13 years in the making. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:32:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/191027079/john-mellencamp-stephen-king-and-t-bone-burnett-on-world-cafe?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/191027079/john-mellencamp-stephen-king-and-t-bone-burnett-on-world-cafe?ft=1&f=1105 The venerated entertainers dive into uncharted territory together: a musical 13 years in the making.

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]]> '20 Feet From' The Spotlight, There's Singing Worthy Of One A new documentary directed by Morgan Neville profiles backup singers whose voices you know but whose names you probably don't: Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love, Judith Hill and Merry Clayton. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:27:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/188384737/20-feet-from-the-spotlight-theres-singing-worthy-of-one?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/188384737/20-feet-from-the-spotlight-theres-singing-worthy-of-one?ft=1&f=1105 A new documentary directed by Morgan Neville profiles backup singers whose voices you know but whose names you probably don't: Lisa Fischer, Darlene Love, Judith Hill and Merry Clayton.

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]]> Jason Isbell: A 'Southeastern' Songwriter's Path To Sobriety The country-rock musician's new solo album is deeply personal, drawing on issues like recovery from a battle with alcoholism that peaked during his time with the band Drive-By Truckers. Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/10/190372187/jason-isbell-a-southeastern-songwriters-path-to-sobriety?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/10/190372187/jason-isbell-a-southeastern-songwriters-path-to-sobriety?ft=1&f=1105 The country-rock musician's new solo album is deeply personal, drawing on issues like recovery from a battle with alcoholism that peaked during his time with the band Drive-By Truckers.

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]]> David Finckel On The Emerson Quartet's Changing Of The Guard The quartet's new album of Tchaikovsky and Schoenberg is the last to feature the cellist and longtime member of the group. Sun, 09 Jun 2013 12:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/09/189851452/david-finckel-on-the-emerson-quartets-changing-of-the-guard?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/09/189851452/david-finckel-on-the-emerson-quartets-changing-of-the-guard?ft=1&f=1105 The quartet's new album of Tchaikovsky and Schoenberg is the last to feature the cellist and longtime member of the group.

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]]> Tim McGraw: 'I'm Just Now Learning How To Be Good' One of America's country superstars, McGraw has a sense of humor about his career, especially his early hits (and hairstyles). His new album is called <em>Two Lanes of Freedom</em>. Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/09/189859239/tim-mcgraw-im-just-now-learning-how-to-be-good?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/09/189859239/tim-mcgraw-im-just-now-learning-how-to-be-good?ft=1&f=1105 One of America's country superstars, McGraw has a sense of humor about his career, especially his early hits (and hairstyles). His new album is called Two Lanes of Freedom.

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]]> A Rock Star, A Novelist And A Super-Producer Write A Musical No, it's not the setup to a joke. John Mellencamp, Stephen King and T-Bone Burnett are the creative team behind Ghosts of Darkland County, a stage show based on a true story of small-town tragedy. Sat, 08 Jun 2013 16:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/08/189849577/a-rock-star-a-novelist-and-a-super-producer-write-a-musical?ft=1&f=1105 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/08/189849577/a-rock-star-a-novelist-and-a-super-producer-write-a-musical?ft=1&f=1105 No, it's not the setup to a joke. John Mellencamp, Stephen King and T-Bone Burnett are the creative team behind Ghosts of Darkland County, a stage show based on a true story of small-town tragedy.

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