Music

The O'Jays perform during a taping of "Motown Live" in this Sept. 9, 1998 photo, location unknown. (Sean Murphy/AP)

The O'Jays Are Back, Sharing 'The Last Word' On Award-Winning Musical Career

The legendary O’Jays are back with a new album, and they're raising their voices in protest.

On Point

28 mins ago

New Claire Denis Film 'High Life' Brings Mainstream Attention To British Alt Band

Acclaimed French filmmaker Claire Denis has a fondness for the British alternative band Tindersticks that dates back two decades.

Here & Now

05:41Apr 23, 2019

The Danish rock band Town Portal mixes metal and melody. (Courtesy of Greta Kaemmer)

Town Portal's New Album, 'Of Violence,' Is A Soundtrack For Dissonant Times

The Danish rock band mixes metal and melody.

Here & Now

09:52Apr 22, 2019

Patti Smith performs at The Apollo Theater on April 4, 2019, in New York. (Brad Barket/Invision/AP)

Beyond Genre Or Medium, Godmother Of Punk Patti Smith Promotes A Sense Of Oneness

Smith came to fame through rock ‘n’ roll but she wears many artistic hats, including poet, painter and memoirist, writes Jim Sullivan.

The ARTery

Apr 22, 2019

These Creatives Work Together With Algorithms And Robots To Make Their Art

Art and artificial intelligence. How humans and machines are collaborating on paintings, music compositions and more.

On Point

47:10Apr 22, 2019

Coachella Festival Features One Of Its Own

The California music festival is featuring what may be the first band from the actual city of Coachella: Ocho Ojos.

Here & Now

03:38Apr 19, 2019

How The African-American Spiritual 'Go Down Moses' Became Part Of Passover

The spiritual is believed to have been written by slaves inspired by the story of the Jews' liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Here & Now

06:04Apr 19, 2019

WBCN airstaff around 1969 at 312 Stuart St. studios. (Courtesy David Bieber)

'WBCN And The American Revolution' Cements The Radio Station's Place In Music History

WBCN was a case of the right time, right place, right sound, right attitude. They broke rules and they broke artists such as Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen.

The ARTery

Apr 19, 2019

Threa Srey, of Lowell, dressed as Bulma from the Japanese animated series "Dragon Ball Z," stands with Linda Thach, also of Lowell, in character as Vegeta from "Dragon Ball Z" at the annual three-day Anime Boston in 2015. (Steven Senne/AP)

5 Things To Do This Weekend, From A Rock 'N' Roll Rumble To An Anime Convention

Plus, it's your last chance to see "American Moor" at ArtsEmerson and the Somerville Theatre is screening Jack Nicholson's early films.

The ARTery

Apr 18, 2019

Patrice Williamson performing. (Courtesy)

Singer Patrice Williamson Celebrates American Jazz While Pushing The Genre Forward

Jazz singer and Berklee professor Patrice Williamson has established herself as something of a torch-bearer for traditional jazz -- performing the canon while also innovating in the field.

The ARTery

Apr 18, 2019

Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada. (Matthew Murphy/Courtesy of the production)

'Hadestown' Isn't Your Typical Retelling Of An Ancient Greek Myth

"This is my 15th Broadway show," says Patrick Page, one of the musical's stars. "And I have never, ever seen any reaction like this from an audience."

Here & Now

11:09Apr 17, 2019

Vaudou Game. (Julien Lebrun/Courtesy of the artists)

DJ Sessions: 4 Global Dance Grooves With A French Connection

DJ David Sommerstein shares his love for world dance music with us.

Here & Now

09:54Apr 17, 2019

Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter T Bone Burnett has come out with his first original album in 11 years, "The Invisible Light: Acoustic Space." (Courtesy T Bone Burnett via Facebook)

Oscar And Grammy Winner T Bone Burnett Explores Darkness In 1st Original Album In 11 Years

"The Invisible Light: Acoustic Space" is a departure for Burnett, who has spent most of his career behind the scenes as a producer for the music industry's biggest stars.

Here & Now

11:03Apr 12, 2019

Linda Perry, right, and Imogen Heap in the WBUR studios. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Grammy Winner Imogen Heap And Legendary Producer Linda Perry On Changing The Music Industry

Perry and Heap are both working to change how the music industry treats artists and they've got two different and bold ideas.

Radio Boston

18:19Apr 11, 2019

John Shakespear's "Spend Your Youth" album art. (Courtesy)

Listen To The Premiere Of John Shakespear's 'Light On,' An Antidote To A Dire National Mood

“Light On” is a tranquilizing lullaby bathed in reverb that churns with an undercurrent of foreboding.

The ARTery

Apr 11, 2019

This undated image provided by Columbia Records shows rapper Lil Nas X, whose viral hit “Old Town Road” was removed from Billboard's country charts because they said it wasn’t country enough. (Eric Lagg/Courtesy of Columbia Records via AP)

Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Was Kicked Off The Country Charts. Is It A Country Song?

"Old Town Road" was charting on Billboard's country music charts -- until Billboard took it off, suggesting that it wasn't country enough.

Radio Boston

15:38Apr 10, 2019

The University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana first opened in April 1969, and was designed by architect Max Abramovitz, who's known for his work on the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York, among other famous buildings. (Courtesy of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts)

How A Performing Arts Center In The Middle Of Illinois Became One Of America's Cultural Hubs

The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana, Illinois, is celebrating 50 years of bringing music, theater and dance to a part of the country where many are surprised...

Here & Now

06:02Apr 10, 2019

DJ Sessions: 4 Songs For The Modern Moment

From Billie Eilish to Wild Belle, KCRW DJ Chris Douridas brings us four angsty songs to address young love, loss and ghosting.

Here & Now

09:54Apr 10, 2019

Imogen Heap and Linda Perry. (Courtesy Jeremy Cowarts and Rebecca Cabage)

How Pioneers Linda Perry And Imogen Heap Are Trying To Foster Community And Artistry In The Music Industry

The musicians are utilizing their platforms to not only unearth these disparities in music but to address them. At the heart of each of their projects is authentic community building.

The ARTery

Apr 10, 2019

Terri Lyne Carrington joins students on the drums as they play the Thelonius Monk song "Bemsha Swing" at Berklee's Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice class. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Berklee's Institute Of Jazz And Gender Justice Aims To Combat Sexism In Jazz

Though systemic sexism touches all corners of the music industry, jazz is an especially male-dominated field, subject to its own particular set of biases and power dynamics.

The ARTery

05:58Apr 9, 2019

BBC Newsday

The O'Jays Are Back, Sharing 'The Last Word' On Award-Winning Musical Career

New Claire Denis Film 'High Life' Brings Mainstream Attention To British Alt Band

Town Portal's New Album, 'Of Violence,' Is A Soundtrack For Dissonant Times

Beyond Genre Or Medium, Godmother Of Punk Patti Smith Promotes A Sense Of Oneness

These Creatives Work Together With Algorithms And Robots To Make Their Art

Coachella Festival Features One Of Its Own

How The African-American Spiritual 'Go Down Moses' Became Part Of Passover

'WBCN And The American Revolution' Cements The Radio Station's Place In Music History

5 Things To Do This Weekend, From A Rock 'N' Roll Rumble To An Anime Convention

Singer Patrice Williamson Celebrates American Jazz While Pushing The Genre Forward

'Hadestown' Isn't Your Typical Retelling Of An Ancient Greek Myth

DJ Sessions: 4 Global Dance Grooves With A French Connection

Oscar And Grammy Winner T Bone Burnett Explores Darkness In 1st Original Album In 11 Years

Grammy Winner Imogen Heap And Legendary Producer Linda Perry On Changing The Music Industry

Listen To The Premiere Of John Shakespear's 'Light On,' An Antidote To A Dire National Mood

Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Was Kicked Off The Country Charts. Is It A Country Song?

How A Performing Arts Center In The Middle Of Illinois Became One Of America's Cultural Hubs

DJ Sessions: 4 Songs For The Modern Moment

How Pioneers Linda Perry And Imogen Heap Are Trying To Foster Community And Artistry In The Music Industry

Berklee's Institute Of Jazz And Gender Justice Aims To Combat Sexism In Jazz