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Tuesday December 30, 2008

David Dondero: Tiny Desk Concert

Frannie Kelley/NPR

Tiny Desk

David Dondero: Tiny Desk Concert

December 30, 2008 • He should be a name everyone knows by now. Instead, troubadour David Dondero returned to NPR having slept the night before in his car.

Audio Only: David Dondero's Tiny Desk Concert

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Tuesday November 11, 2008

Favorite Sessions

Janis Ian: Behind Her Songs And Life

WKSU

November 11, 2008 • By the time she was 16, Janis Ian already had a Grammy and a permanent place in the American consciousness. Her new autobiography shares the sometimes shocking stories behind her life and music. In a session from Folk Alley, she performs a cross section of her songs.

Listen Now: Janis Ian On Folk Alley

Wednesday October 22, 2008

Studio Sessions

Rachael Yamagata Writes To Overcome

October 22, 2008 • The singer-songwriter's newest project is a double album focusing on two different parts of her personality. Elephants is contemplative, while Teeth Sinking Into Heart is upbeat, rhythmic and fun.

Rachael Yamagata Writes To Overcome

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Sunday September 28, 2008

From Our Listeners

Homework: Odd Musical Instruments

September 28, 2008 • Last week, host Andrea Seabrook asked listeners to send in home recordings and photographs of their oddest musical instrument. The responses were eclectic, and some were indeed strange. Here is a smattering of some of the more interesting instrument descriptions from listeners.

Homework: Odd Musical Instruments

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Wednesday September 17, 2008

New Music

Christopher O'Riley's Bad Plus Epiphany

September 17, 2008 • O'Riley enjoys his Bach and Beethoven, but he's also a serious fan of pop music and jazz: He's recorded piano arrangements of songs by Radiohead and Nick Drake. O'Riley's latest passion is the adventurous jazz trio The Bad Plus.

Thursday September 4, 2008

Thao Nguyen: Tiny Desk Concert

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NPR

Tiny Desk

Thao Nguyen: Tiny Desk Concert

September 4, 2008 • Thao Nguyen makes captivating music. Her songs are raw and infectious, her voice has a distinctive swagger, and she's a nimble guitarist. She stopped by NPR's offices to give an intimate performance.

Tuesday September 2, 2008

Favorite Sessions

Smog's Bill Callahan Bares His 'Whaleheart'

KUT News

September 2, 2008 • When Bill Callahan (a.k.a. Smog) came to KUT to promote the release of 2007's Woke on a Whaleheart, he brought members of Shearwater to back him up. His performance was hopeful, big and explicitly in touch with his influences.

Hear an interview and performance from KUT

Tuesday August 5, 2008

China: Culture

American Rapper Eli Sweet Reflects On China

August 5, 2008 • Atlanta native Eli Sweet moved to Chengdu, China, nearly two years ago to improve his Chinese and discover a new way of life. The energetic American raps in underground clubs with Chinese hip-hop artists. He says he encounters "an endless stream of adventure."

Saturday July 19, 2008

Studio Sessions

Amos Lee At The Studio 4A 'Lodge'

July 19, 2008 • Before pursuing a career in music, Lee was a Philadelphia schoolteacher. Then he started going to open-mic nights with a car stereo full of classic R&B records. He recently brought his folky, soulful style to NPR headquarters for a solo performance.

Amos Lee At The Studio 4A 'Lodge'

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Wednesday July 16, 2008

Video Sessions

Lang Lang: A Life In Music, So Far

July 16, 2008 • Coming from meager beginnings in middle-class China, the 26-year-old superstar pianist describes his drive to be the best in the world — and the struggles along the way — in his new autobiography, Journey of a Thousand Miles.

Lang Lang: A Life In Music, So Far

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Bryant Park Project Video

Playing For Brooklyn, The Headlights Shine

July 16, 2008 • The band from Champaign, IL brings Phil Spector and his doo wop groups to mind as well as classic mid-90s indie rock bands. A video shoot with the band even revealed them to be five of the nicest people we could have hoped to meet.

Playing For Brooklyn, The Headlights Shine

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Thursday July 10, 2008

Video Sessions

St. Vincent Wants You To 'Marry' Her

July 10, 2008 • Annie Clark of St. Vincent stops by the BPP studios to play a few songs and talk about her music. Her debut album is Marry Me.

St. Vincent Wants You To 'Marry' Her

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Monday June 30, 2008

Favorite Sessions

Wu Han Plays Tchaikovsky, Month by Month

American Public Media

June 30, 2008 • In 1876, Tchaikovsky composed musical snapshots of each month of the calendar year for publication in a St. Petersburg magazine. Pianist Wu Han performs the entire cycle, and discusses the music with Performance Today host Fred Child in NPR's studio.

Hear Wu Han's Studio Session: 'The Seasons' Part 1 (January-June)

Thursday June 26, 2008

Bryant Park Project Video

The Quavers Bring 'Porch Techno' to America

June 26, 2008 • The New Yorker describes the Quavers as moody and enchanting. The two Brooklyn musicians describe themselves as a "space-age Carter family." They stopped by The Bryant Park Project studios to demonstrate.

The Quavers Bring 'Porch Techno' to America

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Thursday June 19, 2008

Bryant Park Project Video

'Peace, Happiness' and G. Love

June 19, 2008 • Acoustic funk/soul singer-songwriter G. Love stops by The Bryant Park Project to talk and play music from his new album, Superhero Brother. He says the album was inspired by a recent trip to the slums of Rio de Janeiro.

'Peace, Happiness' and G. Love

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