Music

Left to right: Dean Johnson (Courtesy Denyse Johnson), Scott Alarik (Courtesy Asia Kepka)

Remembering Dean Johnson and Scott Alarik, two longtime stalwarts of Boston’s music journalism community

Music writer Jim Sullivan reflects on his former Boston Globe colleagues and the impact they left on the music journalism scene.

Shane Dylan's 'A Star or a Lonely Dreamer' fuses jazz, hip-hop and local talent

Dylan describes the album as “a tribute to Boston and to the music scene.” It blends his jazz-influenced compositions with local artists Red Shaydez, Tashawn Taylor, Amanda Shea, Jolee Gordon...

Susan Tedeschi returns home for the holidays with Tedeschi Trucks Band in tow

In what has become almost an annual tradition, Susan Tedeschi and her husband Derek Trucks will play four shows at Boston's Orpheum Theatre with their band.

For Record Store Day, Aerosmith is releasing an LP of recordings made in 1971

The 40-minute LP and cassette, called "1971: The Road Starts Hear," was culled from a two-track tape done on a vintage Wollensak reel-to-reel deck owned by guitarist Joe Perry in...

Local Tiny Desk favorite HEESU takes her cues from K-pop and soul

Growing up in Seoul, HEESU (the stage name of Heesu Yu) loved to belt K-pop at the city’s nuraebangs (karaoke rooms). She brought that same infectious energy to her Tiny...

Letters to Cleo returns home with stint at Paradise Rock Club

While the band is no longer a fulltime venture, they have returned every year since 2016 for a show at the club, except last year, of course. “It’s a nice...

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Trash Rabbit's explosive living room garage rock

Boston-based Trash Rabbit managed the difficult task of bottling up the energy of a basement show and putting into their Tiny Desk submission, says music writer Amelia Mason.

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Miranda Rae's R&B jam wants to slow it down

In her Tiny Desk Contest submission, “Thinkin’ Bout You,” Miranda Rae is in command of her power. She deploys a big, velvety voice with restraint, says music writer Amelia Mason.

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Kalliope Jones blows up the anxieties of youth

The three members of the band take an inventive approach to harmony, with cascading backing vocals that mimic and mirror the lead singer's, says music writer Amelia Mason.

Rapper Maye Star reveals his range on his new album 'SUMMER STAR'

The songwriter and producer uses soulful sampling, electronic beats and raps over his own looped voice throughout the album, out Nov. 14.

Rapper Merci D. emits confidence in new song 'Energy'

The track by the Dorchester native encapsulates the balancing act of being humbled by life, but having the energy to stand back up.

Here are the top 25 Massachusetts entries to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest

Out of thousands of entries to NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest, 159 were from Massachusetts. Our panel of judges narrowed down the field a bit more with their favorite 25.

Singer Carissa Johnson turned bad timing into her new album 'Blue Hour'

In early March of 2020, Johnson packed up and moved to LA, but the timing was not propitious. She used the lockdown scenario as “kind of a metaphor for a...

How ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ inspired singer Marissa Nadler’s latest album

The singer-songwriter’s exquisite ninth album is an ominous mix of rebirth and metamorphosis, drawn from her own life experiences and stories of famous disappearances.

Rapper Kadeem and Frank the Butcher team up for hip-hop project 'Universum'

The Mattapan native wrote and performed while the Worcester creative produced and arranged the 19-minute offering, a true display of storytelling and bar crafting, says music writer Noble.

Thalia Zedek and the perennial rock of Come’s ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’

Over 25 years after the release of the band’s album, Come’s expanded reissue is an intimately detailed portrait of Boston’s grunge ambassadors at their gritty peak.

The Magnetic Fields return to home base with a stint at City Winery

The eclectic group got its start in Boston around 1988, although initially under different monikers. They settled upon The Magnetic Fields in 1990, but by everyone’s account, including bandleader Stephin...

Arts & Culture

Oct 20, 2021

Anne-Sophie Mutter performs John Williams film score arrangements with the composer conducting at Symphony Hall on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (Courtesy Winslow Townson)

The BSO makes a celebratory return to Symphony Hall

After an 18-month absence, the orchestra marked its return to its great concert hall on Sept. 30 with a prolonged standing ovation from the audience. Arts critic Lloyd Schwartz reviewed...

Local Coverage

Oct 4, 2021

We're choosing our favorite Tiny Desk Contest entry from Massachusetts

Over 150 musical artists from Massachusetts entered NPR’s contest this year. Our panelists are looking for their favorite.

Local Coverage

Oct 4, 2021

Gail Samuel is the first woman to lead the BSO in its 140-year history. (Courtesy Los Angeles Philharmonic Association/Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging)

As Symphony Hall Finally Reopens, Meet The BSO's New President And CEO Gail Samuel

Audiences return to Symphony Hall Thursday for the first time since the pandemic hit. And the Boston Symphony Orchestra's season opener is also the first for Gail Samuel, the organization's...

Local Coverage

06:24Sep 30, 2021

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Remembering Dean Johnson and Scott Alarik, two longtime stalwarts of Boston’s music journalism community

Shane Dylan's 'A Star or a Lonely Dreamer' fuses jazz, hip-hop and local talent

Susan Tedeschi returns home for the holidays with Tedeschi Trucks Band in tow

For Record Store Day, Aerosmith is releasing an LP of recordings made in 1971

Local Tiny Desk favorite HEESU takes her cues from K-pop and soul

Letters to Cleo returns home with stint at Paradise Rock Club

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Trash Rabbit's explosive living room garage rock

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Miranda Rae's R&B jam wants to slow it down

From the Massachusetts Tiny Desk: Kalliope Jones blows up the anxieties of youth

Rapper Maye Star reveals his range on his new album 'SUMMER STAR'

Rapper Merci D. emits confidence in new song 'Energy'

Here are the top 25 Massachusetts entries to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest

Singer Carissa Johnson turned bad timing into her new album 'Blue Hour'

How ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ inspired singer Marissa Nadler’s latest album

Rapper Kadeem and Frank the Butcher team up for hip-hop project 'Universum'

Thalia Zedek and the perennial rock of Come’s ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’

The Magnetic Fields return to home base with a stint at City Winery

The BSO makes a celebratory return to Symphony Hall

We're choosing our favorite Tiny Desk Contest entry from Massachusetts

As Symphony Hall Finally Reopens, Meet The BSO's New President And CEO Gail Samuel