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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.
A Method to Madness
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
From Russia with MP3's
Australian journalist Charles Wright explain those super-cheap MP3 Web sites based in Russia.
» allofmp3.com
» mp3search.com
Vikku Vinayakaram
The noted Ghatam player Vikku stops by to share his unique music.
» "Vikku" Vinayakaram bio
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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.
