Listening

Known for making some of the most fascinating and adventurous music, Björk reflects on how she came into her sensibilities as an artist, the influence of her home country Iceland, and how she finds the “spark” of a recording.

Hear the original composition that MC Taylor created exclusively for Listening.

Singer-songwriter MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger may be more dialed into American folklore than anyone else. In this episode, learn how he shares his music obsession with his family.

Hear the original composition that Vagabon created exclusively for Listening.

Laetitia Tamko, best known as Vagabon, cherishes the sounds she grew up with in Cameroon. Listen to her story as she describes how weaving motion and our stream of consciousness together can open us up to big ideas.

Hear the composition that Stephin Merritt created exclusively for Listening.

Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields’ aesthetic is best described as show tune catchiness meets unexpected instrumentation. In this episode, he shares how the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic impacted his songwriting.

Hear the original composition that JLIN created exclusively for Listening.

Avant-garde electronic music producer JLIN blends polyrhythm with musical styles from all over the world to create her own unique sound. In this episode, she shares how intuition and patience were key to unlocking her creativity.

Hear the original composition that Laraaji created exclusively for Listening.

Multi-instrumentalist Laraaji is a new-age icon. He shares his thoughts on listening––ranging from cosmic to a sound bath in words and beyond––and why laughter is the key to creating a transcendent state.

Hear the original composition that Neko Case created exclusively for Listening.

Widely regarded as a consummate career artist, Neko Case is a force to be reckoned with. She discusses how the sounds of her rural farm in Vermont have influenced her songwriting.

Hear the original composition Mdou Moctar created exclusively for Listening.

Known as the “cool kid” of Tuareg blues––a desert rock sound from the Sahara region of Africa––Mdou Moctar takes us on a journey to his town of Agadez. He shares how the impact of colonialism on Niger has inspired his songs.

Hear the composition Katie Crutchfield created exclusively for Listening.

Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee largely wrote her latest, highly-adored album Saint Cloud about her desire to get sober. She explains her journey, as well as how she was able to center herself during a time of uncertainty.

Hear the composition the Tweedy family created exclusively for Listening.

Jeff Tweedy and his sons’ jam sessions, dubbed “The Tweedy Show,” were a beacon of light for music fans during the pandemic. In this episode, the Tweedy family discusses its experience of listening, creating, and playing together.

Our newest podcast, Listening, invites 10 of music’s most acclaimed artists to transform the sounds around them into original songs that reflect how it feels to be alive in today’s world.