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The Jazz Event of the Year
The world's largest jazz conference gets underway today in midtown. We'll tell you what you need to know amidst all of the round-tables, research papers, and awards ceremonies. Also: Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the now-banned hallucinogenic drug LSD, celebrates his 100th birthday today. We look at it shaped music of the Hippy movement and beyond. And, a conversation with Thandiswa, an South African pop star whose gained a reputation for being the voice of a new generation of young people in South Africa. Finally, a look at "Backmasking." That's the practice of inserting hidden messages in songs that are revealed when played backwards.
LSD Inventor Turns 100
The Swiss chemist who discovered LSD celebrates his 100th birthday today. We look at its influence on music and '60s pop culture.
» Father of LSD Celebrating 100th Birthday
Also: Backmasking is the practice of inserting hidden messages in songs that are revealed when played backwards. We speak with master backmasker, Jeff Milner.
» Jeff Millner on backmasking
Voice of a New Generation
Thandiswa is a young South African pop star who is being hailed as the voice of a new, post-apartheid generation.
» Thandiswa's Website
International Association for Jazz Education
Eugene Holley, jazz writer for the Philadelphia Weekly, surveys the scene at the world's biggest jazz conference.
» IAJE Website
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Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
Soundcheck
John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
Soundcheck
The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
- Comments [7]
Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
Soundcheck
Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
- Comments [1]
In Studio: Stephanie McKay
Soundcheck
The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
- Comments [3]
In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
