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On Demand

Soundcheck

Wednesday, April 19, 2006
  • Rufus Wainwright
    Rufus Wainwright (Andy Earl)

    Indie Rock's Closet Choral Composer

    Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has become a darling of the indie-rock scene over the past few years known for his lush, theatrical pop songs. But he doesn't only write for solo voice. He's just composed a choral work called "Bloom," drawing on the poetry of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson and today he joins us along with the WNYC Young People's Chorus who give a live performance. Also: Michael Christie, the new music director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic discusses his first season on the job. Finally, a preview of the sixth annual Jammy Awards, which take place at Madison Square Garden Thursday night and celebrate bands who jam in the tradition of the Grateful Dead. Dean Budnick, senior editor of Relix Magazine and founder of Jambands.com joins us.

Rufus Wainwright Gets Choral

The WNYC Young People's Chorus performs Rufus Wainwright's "Bloom."
» Young People's Chorus Web site

Michael Christie

Michael Christie, the new music director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, joins us.
» Brooklyn Philharmonic Web site

We Jammin'

Dean Budnick, senior editor of Relix Magazine and founder of Jambands.com previews the Jammy Awards.
» Jambands.com

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.

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.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

Soundcheck

The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

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.