Music Features
Artist Q&As: Get to know musicians | Five Essential Albums/Songs: Artists on other artists | FUV Essential Artists: Our all-time fave people and themes
Emma-Jean Thackray: Q&A
May 30, 2025|Kara Manning
A May is Mental Health Awareness Month chat.
Joe Boyd: Cavalcade Q&A
May 18, 2025|Paul Cavalconte
Record producer Joe Boyd joins Paul for conversation and music.
David Sheff: Cavalcade Q&A
April 27, 2025|Paul Cavalconte
Author David Sheff on his new Yoko Ono biography.
Daveed Diggs of clipping.: Q&A
February 28, 2025|Kara Manning
Tony and Grammy winner Daveed Diggs on clipping.'s new album.
Mereba: Q&A
February 20, 2025|Kara Manning
Mereba on family, sisterhood, and Stevie Wonder.
Spellling: Q&A
February 13, 2025|Kara Manning
The rising Bay-area musician on her proudly unconventional path.
Kashus Culpepper: Q&A
February 06, 2025|Kara Manning
A chat with the fast-rising country musician.
Divorce: UKNY Q&A
January 12, 2025|Kara Manning
Listen: A conversation with Tiger and Felix of Divorce.
Jesse Malin: Q&A 2024
October 14, 2024|Eric Holland
Listen: Jesse Malin on 'Silver Patron Saints' and the angels in his life.
David Amram: Sunday Supper Q&A
September 29, 2024|John Platt
A "Sunday Supper" chat with David Amram.
Nick Cave: The Alternate Side Q&A
August 29, 2024|Russ Borris
Listen: A conversation with Nick Cave.
The Felice Brothers: Five Essential Albums
September 25, 2024|Kara Manning
James Felice of The Felice Brothers on five albums he loves.
Squeeze: Five Essential Albums
September 13, 2024|Kara Manning
Squeeze's Chris Difford picks five of his faves.
Paul Weller: Five Essential Albums
September 03, 2024|Kara Manning
Paul Weller chooses five of his earliest influences.
Suki Waterhouse: Five Essential Albums
August 06, 2024|Kara Manning
The British musician and actress on the albums she loves.
Eiko Ishibashi: Five Essential Soundtracks
July 02, 2024|Kara Manning
The acclaimed film composer chooses five cinema classics.
Vera Sola: Five Essential Albums
March 27, 2024|Kara Manning
Vera Sola on her faves, from Elvis Perkins to Tom Waits.
Madi Diaz: Five Essential Albums
March 12, 2024|Kara Manning
Madi Diaz on five albums that touch on pure elation and freedom.
Ratboys' Julia Steiner: Five Essential Albums
March 05, 2024|Kara Manning
Julia Steiner of Chicago's Ratboys on five faves.
Kevin Drew: Five Essential Albums
January 19, 2024|Kara Manning
The Broken Social Scene frontman on the albums he loves.
Suzanne Vega: Five Essential Xmas Songs
December 18, 2023|Kara Manning
Aligning with her City Winery holiday shows, Suzanne chooses her faves.
Beth Orton: Five Essential Songs
September 06, 2023|Kara Manning
Five songs that influenced Beth's most recent release.
Duane Betts: Five Essential Albums
July 17, 2023|Kara Manning
From John Coltrane to Smashing Pumpkins, Duane's five essentials.
Aimee Mann
April 17, 2017|Kara Manning
A master of the withering riposte, the witty jab, and the wistful aside. [Playlist]
Al Green
May 02, 2019|Kara Manning
For his enduring voice and his embrace of both the spiritual and the secular.
Ani DiFranco
September 25, 2017|Laura Fedele
Essential for her soul and her voice, her guitarwork and her growl, her never-dimmed spirit. [Playlist]
Aretha Franklin
September 12, 2016|Kara Manning
One of this country's mightiest, most emotionally resonant, and technically powerful vocalists. [Playlist]
Beck
July 05, 2016|Kara Manning
Beck was always sophisticated and complex, on a long road of self-discovery. [Playlist]
Blondie
July 31, 2017|Kara Manning
Downtown ambassadors from the '70s who've never abandoned what made them great. [Playlist]
Bob Dylan
May 23, 2019|Kara Manning
Catching up to all things Bob, plus Rita Houston's Essential Bob Dylan Spotify playlist.
Bob Dylan
May 23, 2016|Kara Manning
"What do you do for a living, man?" "Oh, I confound expectations." [Playlist]
Bob Marley
May 30, 2016|Darren DeVivo
His music and message remain as vibrant as ever. [Playlist]
Bonnie Raitt
April 04, 2016|Kara Manning
A master guitarist and an indomitable force. [Playlist]
Brandi Carlile
May 29, 2017|Laura Fedele
Why we got on board with this talented charmer, and stayed on board. [Playlist]