Soundcheck

Inuk singer and songwriter Tanya Tagaq, from the Nunavut region of northern Canada, unleashes a modern take on the Arctic tradition of throat singing (or katajjaq) -a breathing game, or throat game, played by two women standing inches apart, trying to make each other laugh.  Tanya Tagaq joins us live in the studio to perform some of her vocal acrobatics:   John Schaefer writes about her new album, Retribution, "is about the rape of the Earth by heavy industry, and the threats posed to traditional culture and to the environment by Westernization and climate change. It is full of sound and fury; it draws on rock, hip hop, and the electronic avant-garde; it is provocative, forbidding, and surprisingly sensual. But it’s in live performance that Tanya Tagaq really shines, where she is a force of nature – which is appropriate, as much of her work sounds the alarm about what humans are doing to the natural world." Her ferocious and intense performances are more "like ancient rituals than concerts, and she uses a startling array of vocal sounds – guttural growls, high-pitched overtone chant, and the rhythmic, almost gasping sounds of traditional Inuit throat-singing – to create an otherworldly texture."   

Wayne Coyne, is the frontman and songwriter for the trippy, psychedelic, wonderful weird band The Flaming Lips. Their latest is 'Oczy Mlody' and it brings Coyne to our studios.

British singer/composer Anna Meredith cavorts freely in classical, rock, electronica, & minimalism. She & her unusual band of tuba, cello, drums & guitar join us, live in the studio. 

Singer/songwriter/producer Rodney Crowell has roots that stretch back to 1970's alternative country, & further back to the blues. He joins us to play music from his latest, "Close Ties."

Wilson Pickett, one of the central figures of soul music in the 60s & 70s, was a hugely successful singer/songwriter. Tony Fletcher has published a new biography of Pickett & joins us.

The indie pop band Tennis, the husband-and-wife team of Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore, are back from their ocean retreat to play new songs from their new record, "Yours Conditionally."

It’s always a party with Red Baraat, who bring their Brooklyn bhangra dance party & street parade attitude to our studio. They'll share music from their latest, "Bhangra Pirates." 

Mark Morris will be leading both his Dance Group and his music ensemble in performances of a double bill of English music dramas at BAM this week. He joins John Schaefer for a preview. 

British singer/songwriter Laura Marling shares music from her refined sixth record Semper Femina, a gripping collection of poetic takes on womanhood, live in the studio. 

Communist Daughter joins us in the studio to play songs from their sophomore record of high peaks and dramatic lows, The Cracks That Built The Wall.

Following a short hiatus, then a reunion in 2012, the psych-pop band Grandaddy makes a full return, including the first new music in ten years, with a new record, called Last Place.

Dams of the West is the solo project of Vampire Weekend drummer Chris Tomson, who plays all of the instruments on his new record called Youngish American. Tomson & band join us live. 

Guitarist Margaret Glaspy packs a walloping punch atop crunchy, snarly guitar in her grunge-torch-rock. She & her trio play live in the studio. 

Led by composer David Moore, the chamber collective Bing and Ruth creates meditative, cinematic soundscapes using acoustic instruments and electronics, live in the studio.  

Shy Girls, aka Dan Vidmar, has a remarkable voice and a knack for dreamy, often dark-hued songs that blend R&B & electronica. He & his band play songs from his LP, "Salt" in the studio.