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
Little Feat's Bill Payne: Q&A
September 23, 2023|Don McGee
Don McGee chats with Little Feat's Bill Payne
Ray LaMontagne: Cavalcade Q&A
September 17, 2023|Paul Cavalconte
Listen: A conversation with Ray LaMontagne.
Pachyman: Q&A
September 14, 2023|Kara Manning
On his new album, inspired by reggae's lovers rock and Puerto Rico.
Priya Ragu: UKNY Q&A
February 07, 2024|Kara Manning
A chat with the rising Swiss-Tamil musician.
The Last Dinner Party: Q&A
February 07, 2024|Kara Manning
Listen: A chat with the fast-rising London band.
Romy: UKNY Guest DJ Mix
August 30, 2023|Kara Manning
Listen: The xx's Romy joins host Kara Manning
Joy Oladokun: Juneteenth Q&A
August 30, 2023|Kara Manning
"Being proudly LGBTQIA, to me, is about the potential lives it will save."
Hannah Jadagu: Juneteenth Q&A
August 30, 2023|Kara Manning
"To me, Juneteenth is a reminder of freedom."
Abraham Alexander: Juneteenth Q&A
August 30, 2023|Kara Manning
Abraham on his auspicious debut album and Juneteenth.
Meshell Ndegeocello: Juneteenth Q&A
August 30, 2023|Kara Manning
Read: Conversation about her new album and a 30-year-old classic.
Ibeyi: Five Essential Albums (Plus One)
February 21, 2022|Kara Manning
Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz find a way to include both of their parents.
Gabriels' Jacob Lusk: Five Essential Albums
February 17, 2022|Kara Manning
A range of faves from Aretha Franklin's gospel grit to Sylvester's willowy croon.
Sons of Kemet's Theon Cross: Five Essential Albums
February 15, 2022|Kara Manning
Cross's selections cover all phases of his life, from teenage tuba player to one of the great masters of the instrument.
Algiers' Franklin James Fisher: Five Essential Albums
February 10, 2022|Kara Manning
Faves that blur the lines of genre (and expectation).
Brittney Spencer: Five Essential Albums
February 07, 2022|Kara Manning
Her early faves lie outside the country music world.
Genesis Owusu: Five Essential Albums
February 01, 2022|Kara Manning
Five pioneering albums that have shaped him
![Yola (from the video for "Love All Night (Work All Day)" via Nonesuch Records)](/sites/default/files/images/posts/yola-love-all-night-1200x628.jpeg "Yola (from the video for "Love All Night (Work All Day)" via Nonesuch Records)")
Yola: Five Essential Dan Auerbach Songs
May 14, 2019|Kara Manning
She trusted him to deliver her songs. It worked.
Kermit Ruffins: Five Essential New Orleans Songs
April 25, 2019|Kara Manning
Picks from the co-founder of the Rebirth Brass Band
Lucy Wainwright Roche: Five Essential Indigo Girls Songs
March 26, 2019|Kara Manning
Songs she loves, written by her friends and inspirations.
Patty Griffin: Five Essential Rickie Lee Jones Songs
February 28, 2019|Kara Manning
From one "serious badass" to another.
Courtney Marie Andrews: Five Essential Dolly Parton Songs
February 08, 2019|Kara Manning
From one great country songwriter to another.
Dawes: Five Essential Warren Zevon Songs
January 24, 2019|Kara Manning
Goldsmith cites Zevon's bold lyrical risks.
Jimi Hendrix
October 08, 2018|Kara Manning
On earth for a fleeting moment in time, he left a legacy of volcanic grace and brilliance. [Playlist]
Joe Jackson
August 07, 2017|Kara Manning
An artist of endless elasticity and restless genius. [Playlist]
John Prine
October 23, 2017|Kara Manning
Among the great builders of songs, Prine was an indisputable master. [Playlist]
Johnny Cash
February 26, 2018|Kara Manning
A champion of the voiceless, the underdogs and the downtrodden. And something of a holy terror. [Playlist]
![Joni Mitchell (Original photo: Asylum Records [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)](/sites/default/files/images/imported/music/ESS-JoniMitchell_0.png "Joni Mitchell (Original photo: Asylum Records [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)")
Joni Mitchell
July 11, 2016|Kara Manning
Virtually every profile of an emerging female songwriter inevitably includes a comparison to her. [Playlist]
Kate Bush
October 30, 2017|Kara Manning
She has the rare ability to heal, electrify and inspire with every song she's ever released. [Playlist]
Led Zeppelin
August 29, 2016|Kara Manning
They drew up a rock 'n' roll blueprint for generations of musicians to follow. [Playlist]
Leonard Cohen
October 17, 2016|Kara Manning
Essential for his sly humor, courageous candor and beautiful, lusty songs. [Playlist]
Lucinda Williams
January 23, 2017|Laura Fedele
Poet, blueswoman, lyrical perfectionist and activist. [Playlist]
Marvin Gaye
August 15, 2016|Kara Manning
A brilliant, difficult and complex man and musician. [Playlist]
Mavis Staples
July 17, 2017|Laura Fedele
Her big heart and sharp mind beg for a personal, creative connection with artists everywhere. [Playlist]