Erin McKeown

A new book called “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work" offers a glimpse into the mundane daily lives of some of the world's most productive and creative people, from Mozart to John Updike to Maya Angelou. Author Mason Currey shares some of the habits held by musicians and composers -- from drug use to rigid writing timetables -- and guest host (and singer-songwriter) Erin McKeown talks about her own creative schedule. 

Do you have certain habits or routines that aid your creativity? Leave us a voicemail at 866 939 1612, or write a comment below. 

Erin McKeown reflects on the connections we have with venues: Whether its a baseball stadium, a theater, an arena or a rock club, venues transcend the sports and music they house.

Cécile McLorin Salvant dazzled judges at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocalist competition in 2010. Now, three years later, she's released her debut solo album, called WomanChild. It's a carefully chosen yet effortlessly humorous collection that includes a few standards, a few of her own compositions, and lots of relatively uncovered gems from the 20th century. 

Cécile joins us in the studio to perform live and to talk with guest host Erin McKeown about her passion for digging up weird and wonderful jazz. 

Just in time for the Stanley Cup finals, musician Erin McKeown chats with the hockey-themed band The Zambonis about why she should get into the sport.

Musician Erin McKeown has been delving into musical theater for a new project and dreams up a few sports-related shows she'd love to see.

Musician Erin McKeown talks with former NFL offensive lineman Brian Barthelmes, now a the frontman for indie folk band Tallahassee.

A few nights ago, my friend Susan Werner began her show in Franklin, Mass. in an unusual way. Werner, a crafty singer-songwriter and genius multi-instrumentalist, donned her old, beat-up Red Sox hat (despite being from Chicago by way of Iowa), sat down silently at the piano, and tenderly plucked out the melody to Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." Whether they were sports fans or not -- though by osmosis, heredity, and peer pressure most folks in the Boston metro area are -- the audience immediately recognized the song and sang the rest of the words as Werner simply grinned. It was a lovely moment of catharsis after a week that had left even the most stoic or cynical person weary.

I too have found myself looking for some similar kind of antidote to the strained voices of my local broadcasters, the cable outlets all jockeying for scoops, and the breakneck true-false-true rumor mill of own Twitter feed. So I spent the weekend recording, sitting in with my friend songwriter-cellist Ben Sollee, performing at my local shop for Record Store Day, and joining Susan onstage for the rest of her show. I was reminded of how music is such a lovely counterweight to panic and anxiety.

While music offers a certain type of emotional solace and respite after public tragedy, sports is also often pointed to as a place of “healing” -- a word used far too often for my taste when describing the experience of going to a game. Healing takes time, healing is personal, healing lasts longer than an anthem sung together. Or the generous gesture of a front page to an out of town sports section. Or a surprise visit to Fenway park by Neil Diamond to perform his “Sweet Caroline.”

Musician Erin McKeown reflects on how, compared to digital music listening services, watching sports online is way behind the curve.

Erin McKeown talks about everything from digital rights management to the upcoming Superbowl -- and, we hear her perform live in our studio.