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Music Interviews

The Quiet Beatle's Long Shadow: Dhani Harrison On Sharing His Dad With The World

Dhani Harrison (second from right) joins Weird Al Yankovic, Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Brandon Flowers of The Killers and Jonathan Bates of Mellowdrone on stage at George Fest. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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The Quiet Beatle's Long Shadow: Dhani Harrison On Sharing His Dad With The World

"The studio was directly below my bedroom, so my floor has rattled my whole life." Dhani Harrison speaks with Eric Westervelt about George Fest, an all-star tribute to his father's music.

The Quiet Beatle's Long Shadow: Dhani Harrison On Sharing His Dad With The World

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Expect '60s Style — But Not Too Much Glee — From A Band Called Unloved

Jade Vincent is the voice of Unloved, a downtempo trio with a 1960s pop feel. Joe McGivern/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Joe McGivern/Courtesy of the artist

Expect '60s Style — But Not Too Much Glee — From A Band Called Unloved

The band started when two composers and a songwriter met in a bar. Their debut album, Guilty Of Love, shows off retro instrumentation and haunting lyrics.

Expect '60s Style — But Not Too Much Glee — From A Band Called Unloved

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Brazilian Singer Seu Jorge: On Music, Race, And Luck Versus Hard Work

Seu Jorge Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Code Switch

Brazilian Singer Seu Jorge: On Music, Race, And Luck Versus Hard Work

The celebrated musician stopped by NPR's Alt.Latino to chat about his incredible musical journey.

Brazilian Singer Seu Jorge: On Music, Race, And Luck Versus Hard Work

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If You Were A Jazz Tune Running For President, What Would You Sound Like?

Marcus Roberts' Race for the White House is a set of jazz compositions inspired by presidential candidates Trump, Carson, Clinton and Sanders. /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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/Courtesy of the artist

Jazz

If You Were A Jazz Tune Running For President, What Would You Sound Like?

Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts responds to that question on his new EP, Race For The White House, whose compositions are inspired by the personalities of Trump, Carson, Clinton and Sanders.

If You Were A Jazz Tune Running For President, What Would You Sound Like?

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Stroke of Genius: How Derek Amato Became a Musical Savant

Derek Amato is one of only a few dozen known "sudden savants." Derek Amato hide caption

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Derek Amato

Hidden Brain

Stroke of Genius: How Derek Amato Became a Musical Savant

Derek Amato wasn't born a musical savant. He became one—almost instantly—after hitting his head on the bottom of a swimming pool.

Stroke of Genius: How Derek Amato Became a Musical Savant

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'It Changes You Forever': Lady Gaga On David Bowie And Being Brave

Lady Gaga channels David Bowie in a career-spanning, special-effects-laden tribute at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images hide caption

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'It Changes You Forever': Lady Gaga On David Bowie And Being Brave

In a conversation with Michel Martin, the pop chameleon reflects on two life-changing moments from the start of her career — one an enduring trauma, the other an explosion of self-discovery.

'It Changes You Forever': Lady Gaga On David Bowie And Being Brave

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Marlon Williams: Americana By Way Of New Zealand

Marlon Williams' self-titled solo debut is out now. Justyn Strother/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Justyn Strother/Courtesy of the artist

Marlon Williams: Americana By Way Of New Zealand

Williams grew up in the tiny town of Lyttelton, New Zealand. As a kid he sang in choir, but as a teen he found his voice in country music, a genre his Maori punk-singer dad introduced him to.

Marlon Williams: Americana By Way Of New Zealand

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More Than Just 'Indie Rock With Strings': Ra Ra Riot On Evolving Together

Ra Ra Riot is known for making indie rock you can dance to. Their new album, Need Your Light, is out now. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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More Than Just 'Indie Rock With Strings': Ra Ra Riot On Evolving Together

The band is known for combining elements of rock, classical and electronic music. After making music together for over a decade, the members say they're aiming at a different goal.

More Than Just 'Indie Rock With Strings': Ra Ra Riot On Evolving Together

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On His Debut Album, 'Phase,' Jack Garratt Shakes Off Inhibition

Jack Garratt's debut album is called Phase. Daniel Harris/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Daniel Harris/Courtesy of the artist

On His Debut Album, 'Phase,' Jack Garratt Shakes Off Inhibition

The BBC called Garratt the "Sound Of The Year" for 2016. He's come a long way from placing last in the Junior Eurovision song contest.

On His Debut Album, 'Phase,' Jack Garratt Shakes Off Inhibition

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Saul Williams: 'Let's Go Further And Further Out'

Saul Williams in Los Angeles in January. GL Askew II for NPR hide caption

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GL Askew II for NPR

Microphone Check

Saul Williams: 'Let's Go Further And Further Out'

The artist and thinker, who just released a new album, takes us from the drummers of Burundi to Adam Ant, Octavia Butler to David Bowie, Rakim to Young Thug.

Saul Williams With Ali Shaheed Muhammad And Frannie Kelley

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On Helene Grimaud's New Album, 'Water' Is A Metaphor And Motivation

Helene Grimaud's new album, Water, is inspired by environmental activism and the sheer number of compositions dedicated to water. Matt Hennek/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Matt Hennek/Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

On Helene Grimaud's New Album, 'Water' Is A Metaphor And Motivation

An environmental activist as well as a pianist, Grimaud was motivated by composers' fascination with water. Each piece on her new album is inspired by it.

On Helene Grimaud's New Album, 'Water' Is A Metaphor And Motivation

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Toshiko Akiyoshi's Jazz Orchestra Brought The Club To Concert Halls

Toshiko Akiyoshi developed a reputation as a fierce bebop player. But she says she wasn't completely accepted in the jazz world as a woman and an Asian. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Toshiko Akiyoshi's Jazz Orchestra Brought The Club To Concert Halls

It's been 60 years since the Japanese musician moved to the U.S., changed the sound of the big band, and counted Oscar Peterson and Charles Mingus among her fans. It wasn't an easy road.

Toshiko Akiyoshi's Jazz Orchestra Brought The Club To Concert Halls

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Music

Nina Simone's Daughter Says This Film Gets Her Mom's Story Straight

The Grammy and Oscar-nominated documentary "What Happened, Nina Simone?" depicts the musician's downward spiral. NPR's Michel Martin interviews daughter Lisa Simone Kelly and director Liz Garbus.

Nina Simone's Daughter Says This Film Gets Her Mom's Story Straight

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Alternative Love Songs From The Teenage Tragedy Vault

This Valentine's Day, if you're feeling lonely, just remember: It could be worse. You could be the protagonist in a "splatter platter" love song — and, you know, probably dead already. iStockphoto hide caption

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iStockphoto

Alternative Love Songs From The Teenage Tragedy Vault

If Valentines aren't your thing, we have a selection of love songs from the 50s and 60s to keep you sane. Writer and critic Colin Fleming takes us inside the teenage tragedy genre.

Alternative Love Songs From The Teenage Tragedy Vault

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