Dec 16 How the Warped Tour helped artists (and fans) find themselves By Lora Strum Musicians and fans alike are mourning the end of the Vans Warped Tour, a “punk rock summer camp” and rite of passage for many big-name artists. Continue reading
Nov 27 Watch 5:22 Gregorian chants are a hit at this Nebraska seminary By PBS News Hour Spending 13 weeks at the top of the classical music charts, a group of priests are reinvigorating an early musical genre. Special correspondent Dennis Kellogg of NET reports from eastern Nebraska. Continue watching
Nov 21 Watch 7:28 In John Adams’ new Gold Rush opera, cultures clash with a tragic ending By Jeffrey Brown, Jaywon Choe, Mike Fritz For contemporary composer John Adams, it was three notes that launched his latest opera: the sound of a pick axe “chipping away at stone.” Premiering at the San Francisco Opera, "Girls of the Golden West," a collaboration with director Peter… Continue watching
Nov 13 Watch 6:49 Robert Plant’s new album follows the ‘Fire’ of his musical passions By PBS News Hour Robert Plant, former chest-baring frontman of Led Zeppelin, has enjoyed a prolific solo career, experimenting with a variety of musical styles and genres. Jeffrey Brown sits down with the rock legend to discuss his inspirations, whether Led Zeppelin will ever… Continue watching
Oct 25 Fats Domino, New Orleans legend who brought the ‘thrill’ to rock ‘n’ roll, dies at 89 By Elizabeth Flock Fats Domino, who recorded the beloved hits “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “Blue Monday," outsold every 1950s rock ‘n’ roll star except Elvis Presley. Continue reading
Oct 19 Watch 8:19 How Trombone Shorty is training the next generation of musicians in his hometown By PBS News Hour Troy Andrews, better known as Trombone Shorty, grew up with music all around him in New Orleans, first playing on the streets at age 4. Now with a Grammy, an international following and a new album, Andrews also devotes himself… Continue watching
Oct 12 Watch 4:05 The vital things that make life spectacular By PBS News Hour In the 100th episode of Brief but Spectacular, 92-year-old Richard Goldbloom offers his take on the things that have made his life spectacular, and what it’s like to begin losing your memories. Continue watching
Aug 18 Spotify has removed white power music from its platform. But it’s still available on dozens of other sites By Elizabeth Flock Music that promotes white nationalism is still easily available for free on YouTube and SoundCloud and for sale from independent music labels and distribution services. Continue reading
Aug 04 Watch 8:17 Why musicians and fans still flock to Newport Folk Festival By PBS News Hour From legendary masters to emerging stars, everyone wants to play the Newport Folk Festival. The relatively small, intimate three-day event sells out before the lineup is announced, attracting musicians who stretch the definition of the genre while retaining the original… Continue watching
Jul 20 Elephant seals recognize vocal rhythms to avoid bullies By Teresa Carey Elephant seals become the first mammal, other than humans, to recognize rhythmic patterns in the voices of their kind. Continue reading