Ryan Benk

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Tracy Chapman about standing the test of time and the re-release on vinyl of her self-titled 1988 debut album.

The album's namesake, Polari, is a set of a few hundred words and phrases that was adopted by gay men as a way of speaking in secret during periods of criminalization.

We hear from musicians Grady Allen and Dante Melucci from the band Anxious about their second album Bambi. The young hardcore act says it's their most authentic outing yet.

Promising violinists can get their hands on a Stradivarius and other 18th century instruments through a lending program out of Chicago.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Patrick Patterson and Steve Scipio of the British funk band Cymande about their new album and about reconstituting the band after decades.

NPR's Debbie Elliott talks with lead singer Brandon Coleman and drummer John Hall from the Red Clay Strays about humble beginnings, touring, and the faith that keeps it all together.

We hear from singer Agalisiga Mackey, whose song "Tsitsutsa Tsigesv" was a standout submission to this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

Scott Simon talks with musician and indie producer Sam Evian about his fourth LP, "Plunge." Evian says the record is his most personal yet and it touches on themes of family, depression and sobriety.

NPR Tiny Desk Contest entrant Nicolle Horbath composed songs about the pandemic but gave them a bossa nova twist.

A first in a career spanning six decades: Cher has a Christmas album. She talked with NPR about her mother, her experience working with Stevie Wonder, and the time she hopped a freight train at age 9.