Accessibility links
Barton Girdwood
Barton Girdwood at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., May 21, 2019. (photo by Allison Shelley)
Stories By

Barton Girdwood

Story Archive

Björk Invites You To Her 'Utopia'

Björk's latest album, Utopia, is available Nov. 24. Santiago Felipe/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Santiago Felipe/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Björk Invites You To Her 'Utopia'

In a conversation with Rachel Martin, Iceland's musical auteur unpacks a new release that couldn't be more different from 2015's stark breakup album, Vulnicura.

Björk Invites You To Her 'Utopia'

Listen · 7:17
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/563290559/566326458" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
'It's Scary Being As Open As I'm Being': Sam Smith On 'The Thrill Of It All'

Sam Smith's latest album, The Thrill of It All, is out Nov. 3. Ruven Afanador/Courtesy of artist hide caption

toggle caption
Ruven Afanador/Courtesy of artist

Music Interviews

'It's Scary Being As Open As I'm Being': Sam Smith On 'The Thrill Of It All'

The singer's latest album is packed with lessons he learned in a few years away from the spotlight. He shares them in a conversation with NPR's David Greene.

'It's Scary Being As Open As I'm Being': Sam Smith On 'The Thrill Of It All'

Listen · 7:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/560912300/561781247" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Perfume Genius Is Still Figuring Out How To Be In Love

Eight years into his relationship, Perfume Genius' Mike Hadreas says, "it still doesn't feel intuitive. It always feels sort of strange and almost mystical." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Perfume Genius Is Still Figuring Out How To Be In Love

Mike Hadreas' new album as Perfume Genius, No Shape, centers on his relationship with boyfriend Alan Wyffels. The couple tells NPR's Rachel Martin about making music as recovering addicts and gay men.

Perfume Genius Is Still Figuring Out How To Be In Love

Listen · 7:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/527096344/527541052" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Spurning Trump, Self-Styled Conservative Gatekeeper Finds Himself On The Margins

Charlie Sykes of WTMJ in Milwaukee, Wisc., shown here broadcasting in 2006, wonders how the conservative movement he belonged to could have chosen Donald Trump as its leader. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Spurning Trump, Self-Styled Conservative Gatekeeper Finds Himself On The Margins

For more than two decades, Wisconsin talk radio host Charlie Sykes helped shape the points of view of modern conservatives. But now he wonders if he was part of what helped create Donald Trump's rise.

Spurning Trump, Self-Styled Conservative Gatekeeper Finds Himself On The Margins

Listen · 7:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/494585814/494684794" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org