Tag: NPR

First Listen: Eddie Vedder – Ukulele Songs

Eddie Vedder, the Pearl Jam singer, and man-you’d-have-least-expected-to-release-a-ukulele-album-in-1993, has, in fact, released a new album called Ukulele Songs – and now you can hear the whole thing on NPR’s First Listen series. The album marks Vedder’s second solo effort after the exquisite soundtrack to the film Into the Wild, and features guests from Glen Hansard (The Frames, Swell Season) to Chan Marshall (Cat Power), and has a decidedly warm, intimate feel.  Vedder has observed that the ukulele is particularly good at bringing people together, and that its simplicity allowed for a more immediate and personal writing process.  Ukulele Songs is dedicated to Eddie’s wife and children, and is considerably warmer in mood than you’d expect.

So, head on over to NPR to listen to Ukulele Songs, and also consider reading the Rolling Stone interview.  There are videos below… enjoy!

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Music for a Rainy Day: The Low Anthem

Founded in 2006 by Ben Knox Miller and Jeff Prystowsky, The Low Anthem are an indie-folk band from Providence, RI who use an amazing collection of traditional instruments (clarinet, saw (my personal favorite), and dulcimer) in combination with a rock setup to achieve a truly stirring sound.  The band – which now includes one-time NASA tech Jocie Adams and multi-instrumentalist Mat Davidson – also use multi-part harmonies that attest to their shared interest in gospel, blues, and folk.  The result is a sound that is simultaneously engages both our shared sense of Americana and our desire to hear something fresh.

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First Listen: New Death Cab For Cutie, Joseph Arthur

It’s Monday, and that means those loveable scamps over at NPR have some fresh delights for us!  As part of their First Listen series, you can hear new albums by Death Cab For Cutie, Joseph Arthur, and Thurston Moore.  So, why wait?  Head on over, and have a listen!

First Listen: Okkervil River – I Am Very Far

Okkervil River‘s I Am Very Far is one of those albums that I’ve been looking forward to, this year, and now I’m happy to report that NPR has it up for listening.  The album is available through their First Listen series, and can be enjoyed until its release on May 10th.  So, head on over, and check it out.  Enjoy!

Mountain Man Live on WFUV

Mountain Man – Molly, Alex, and Amelia – brought their gorgeous harmonies and stirring, soulful performances over to NPR recently.  You can hear the session – which is part introduction, part interview, and part performance – right now by following this link.  Also, follow me to hear more:

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