Around the Nation

Each month, KQED offers up a playlist of the best underground and independent music. "Listen to the Noise Pop podcast":http://www.kqed.org/arts/programs/noisepop/episode.jsp?essid=68290 for September 2011. * As the fall ballet season begins, WNET "profiles the principal dancer":http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/video/sara-mearns-principal-dancer-new-york-city-ballet/1794/ of the New York City Ballet, Sara Mearns.

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* Typhoon, an indie-folk group made up of 12 musicians from Salem, Ore., recently released its latest EP, "A New Kind of House." "Listen to tracks from the album and find out more about the band":http://www.npr.org/2011/09/19/140541656/typhoon-on-world-cafe-next on this week's "World Cafe: Next." * In an unexpected turn of character, Albert Brooks plays a Hollywood B-movie producer-turned-mobster in the new movie, "Drive." "Studio 360" "talks to Brooks about the role":http://www.studio360.org/2011/sep/16/albert-brooks-goes-gangster/ and also about his first novel. * British actor Hugh Laurie showcases his musical side and "talks about his love of the blues and New Orleans in this behind-the-scenes interview":http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/hugh-laurie-let-them-talk/interview-with-hugh-laurie/1185/ for the upcoming, "Great Performances, Hugh Laurie: Let Them Talk."

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