WNYC - Soundcheck: Mental Illness and Creativity: Are The Two Linked? (April 27, 2006)

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Thursday, April 27, 2006

Mental Illness and Creativity: Are The Two Linked?

It is typically accepted that Robert Schumann, Thelonius Monk and Syd Barrett were all brilliant or influential musicians, but their other common link is less well known: They all suffered from some form of mental illness. Today, a look at the links between mental illness and creativity. Also: We all know the saying: Money doesn't grow on trees, but it seems that in Russia, digital music does. A number of Russian web sites -- such as allofmp3.com and mp3search.com -- charge an average of just 10 cents per song, and for high-quality music downloads. But are they legal? Australian journalist Charles Wright joins us to uncover this industry. And finally, Vikku Vinayakram, affectionately known as Vikku, is one of India's finest performers of the ghatam, an ancient percussion instrument of South India. He joins us to show why he's in such great demand in India.
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Writer James Hannaham joins us in advance of his presentation at the EMP Live conference in Seattle, titled, "Schizophonic: Mentally Ill Singer/Songwriters and Their Public."
» Schizophonic: Mentally Ill Singer/Songwriters and Their Public