All Music
‘First lady of Indigenous music’: Buffy Sainte-Marie on her storied careerFor Indigenous musician Buffy Sainte-Marie, the path forward has always been paved with patience, understanding, and a creative intuition that has kept her one step ahead of her peers.
‘Spirituals’: Santigold’s latest album rose from pandemic resiliencePop star Santigold found her creativity stalled during the pandemic. But she used the discomfort created by lockdown situations as a tool for evolution – and resilience.
Inner dialogues: How songwriter Cass McCombs moves forwardWith the arrival of his 10th album, “Heartmind,” acclaimed songwriter Cass McCombs discusses what inspires him to progress.
Beyoncé’s latest album embraces the revolutionary act of choosing joyWith her new album, “Renaissance,” Beyoncé focuses on supporting her fans, suggests our columnist, many of whom are hungry for joy.
Cover StoryAlmost famous: With merch, tours, and hope, this band rocks onWhat does it take to make a living as a musician in the modern economy? Our reporter goes on the road with genre-bending rock band Bent Knee.
Letter from Chicago: At a new exhibit, people find their inner PrinceWhen a Monitor reporter visited a new immersive experience about Prince, he came away with a sense of the joy the musician brought to his fans.
Giving Black women in pop music their due: Q&A with author of ‘Shine Bright’Journalist and super fan Danyel Smith champions the role of Black women in pop music in “Shine Bright,” which combines memoir with music history.
Kate Bush: The ’80s icon is back. Her influence has been here all along.An ’80s music icon is topping new charts, thanks to a popular Netflix show. Along with her signature sounds and style, Kate Bush the innovator is also coming into focus.
‘For the Birds’: Music project celebrates birdsong to save itA new project, led by a sought-after Hollywood music pro, hopes to bring attention to birds and their songs – and the preservation of both.
First LookUkrainian band Kalush Orchestra takes Eurovision crown amid warThe band took first place on a surge of popular support amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite strong showings from other nations’ competitors.
First LookAfter gloomy Oscars, Grammys and Batiste shineSinger and bandleader Jon Batiste was the star of Sunday’s Grammy Awards, taking home five and giving lively performances from his album “We Are.” The upbeat, celebratory mood of the evening stood in stark contrast to the Oscars.
After Rwandan genocide, Hutu and Tutsi women unite behind the drumIngoma Nshya is a rarity as an all-women drumming group. It also aims for something greater: to show Tutsi-Hutu tolerance.
First LookRockin' in the Spotify world: Inside Neil Young’s boycottNeil Young pulled his music off the popular streaming service Spotify last week over podcaster Joe Rogan’s controversial discussions of COVID-19. Other artists followed suit. Could the squabble put a dent in Spotify’s rise to the top of the music industry?
On Broadway: This musician is in the pits, but far from blueGuitarist Jeffrey Lee Campbell toured with Sting but then had to play weddings. Now a Broadway veteran, he discusses perseverance and wrangling ego.
Kevin Day: Music transformed him. Now he aims to help others.The works of 20-something composer Kevin Day are infused with his experience with perseverance, and a desire to pass that strength along to listeners.
What made albums notable in 2021? Music that connects people.How did a pandemic year affect new music? Standout 2021 albums have forged a heart-to-heart connection that’s lifted up artists and listeners alike.
Here they go again: ABBA reuniting after 40 yearsThe pandemic has acted like a Bat-Signal of sorts for ABBA, which returns with a new album, “Voyage,” at a time when fans say songs like the group’s are needed.
‘A revolutionary posture’: Singer Dar Williams takes a stand for optimismFor singer Dar Williams, the way to stay buoyant in the face of global challenges involves interacting with others via “positive proximity.”
In the key of joy: Pianos for People gives instruments to St. Louis childrenPianos for People, a St. Louis nonprofit, matches unwanted pianos with families that need them. Free piano lessons are offered, too.
Pop music: Fewer gatekeepers, more opportunitiesTechnology has made producing pop music more democratic. As songs flood streaming platforms, what opportunities are there for access and creativity?
