Rostam (photo by Alex John Beck, PR)

Rostam: Five Essential Tom Petty Songs

October 04, 2017|Carmel Holt
Guest DJ set: Playlist
Ben Jaffe, center on double bass, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (photo by Danny Clinch, PR)

Ben Jaffe of Preservation Hall Jazz Band on Ani DiFranco

September 27, 2017|Kara Manning
"I was inspired by her fierce independence and fearless strength."

Matthew Sweet: Five Essential Beach Boys Songs

September 20, 2017|Kara Manning

Matthew Sweet's songwriting might reflect predecessors like Big Star, R.E.M., and the rich Athens, Georgia scene that buoyed...

Jessica Lea Mayfield (photo by Ebru Yildiz, PR)

Jessica Lea Mayfield: Five Essential Michael Jackson Songs

August 31, 2017|Kara Manning

Jessica Lea Mayfield might love the music of Elliot Smith and Dave Grohl, but as we found out in conversation with her...

Norah Jones (photo by Danny Clinch, PR)

Norah Jones: Five Essential Willie Nelson Songs

August 16, 2017|Kara Manning
The friend and fellow Texan narrows down the Willie catalogue.
Suzanne Vega (photo by F. Holz, PR)

Suzanne Vega: Five Essential Joe Jackson Songs

August 09, 2017|Kara Manning
We reached out to Vega to write about her friend and collaborator.
Jon Batiste (photo by Sasha Israel, PR)

Jon Batiste: Five Essential Mavis and Pops Staples Songs

July 20, 2017|Kara Manning
A Batiste-style "love riot" of admiration, enthusiasm and inspiration.
Son Little (photo by Marc Lemoine, PR)

Son Little: Five Essential Mavis Staples Albums

July 19, 2017|Kara Manning
He deeply appreciates the Staple Singers' bridge between the secular and the spiritual.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood

Chris Robinson: Five Essential Chuck Berry Songs

June 21, 2017|Kara Manning

Longtime fans of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and his former band, the Black Crowes, know that Chuck Berry, this week's FU...

Shovels and Rope's Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst (photo by Curtis Wayne Millard, PR)

Shovels and Rope: Five Essential Brandi Carlile Songs

May 31, 2017|Kara Manning
Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent's thoughtful and descriptive explanations of their faves.