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Philipp Meyer picks songs that pick sides; Chris Molanphy explains the perfect storm for a truly weird hit; Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks perform selections from Wig Out At Jagbags. (episode)
David Browne details how the counter-culture became the culture in '76; soul man Curtis Harding steps into the spotlight; an accordionist talks about playing with a Celtic punk band. (episode)
Jenny Lewis plays new songs in our studio; podcast host and comedian Marc Maron makes us a playlist; find out how Herman's Hermits scored two number one hits in 1965. (episode)
Exploring the Andalusian Cadence through the centuries; Pentatonix sings in the studio; a look at bad band names and how to avoid them. (episode)
A look back at the life of Big Star frontman Alex Chilton; Elizabeth & the Catapult plays in studio; a conversation with Teenage documentary filmmaker Matt Wolf. (episode)
Bassist Peter Hook reflects back on the influential post-punk group Joy Division; Trixie Whitley performs live in the Soundcheck studio. (episode)
Joy Division's influence on music has been enormous. Now, bassist Peter Hook, is telling his part of the tale with a new book, Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division.
The powerful soul singer Trixie Whitley brings songs from her triumphant debut album, Fourth Corner, live to the studio. Watch a video of her performance of the song 'Gradual Return.'
How to stay safe at electronic dance music festivals; British guitarist Liam Bailey plays live; Oasis' debut is now 20. (episode)
The Electric Zoo EDM festival is taking steps this year to prevent drug-related fatalities -- but are they enough?
Hear some of the best DJs at this year's Electric Zoo Festival -- and find out what terms like "house," "trance," "dub step" and "techno" actually mean.
Soundcheck host John Schaefer and Marah Eakin, Associate Editor for A.V. Club, discuss the attitude behind Definitely Maybe, the landmark debut album by British rockers Oasis.
Soundcheck and the New York Times contributor Mike Rubin help Gem Club's Christopher Barnes get smarter about the much-maligned genre New Age. (episode)
Soundcheck offers a basic primer to the beginnings and surprising resurgence of the long-derided music genre.
Hear the Award-winning Canadian singer and songwriter plays selections from her latest album of "polylingual pop."
Chris Molanphy gives a quiz about middle-aged artists (like Tom Petty and “Weird Al” Yankovic) who are scoring No. 1 albums for the first time. (episode)
"Weird Al" did it. So did Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Test your knowledge of middle-aged artists who hit No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart.
Author Matthew Pratt Guterl tells the story of singer and actress Josephine Baker's quest to create a family from all over the world.
Hear the songwriter Liam Bailey perform in the Soundcheck studio.
In this episode: Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner talks about his foray into film with the new comedy Are You Here, starring Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis and Amy Poehler. Plus: Weiner... (episode)
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner discusses the use of music in his new film, Are You Here, and picks three songs that he finds emotionally moving.
Soundcheck talks to Buzzfeed's Reggie Ugwu about the impact of the compilation which introduced many to the likes of The Shins, Coldplay, Iron & Wine, and more.
Hear the Los Angeles synth pop duo In The Valley Below perform songs from its upcoming debut in the Soundcheck studio.