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On Demand

Soundcheck

Thursday, March 08, 2007
  • Charlie Louvin
    Charlie Louvin (charlielouvinbros.com)

    When East Doesn't Meet West

    At a time of ever-growing diversity in popular culture, some are wondering: where is the Asian-American Justin Timberlake? Or Christine Aguilera? We look at what some believe is American pop culture's avoidance of potential Asian-American stars. Also: 80-year-old country music veteran Charlie Louvin joins us with a live performance. Finally: How better sound quality may become a larger concern for digital download stores.

Where are the Asian-Americans?

Why isn't there an Asian Justin Timberlake, if there is a Shakira and a Beyonce? Jeff Yang, a Chinese American writer who is the "Asian Pop" columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle web site; and Wendy Ip, a Chinese-Canadian singer/songwriter.

Wendy Ip's Web site

Charlie Louvin Country

Country veteran Charlie Louvin recently was coaxed by New York's Tompkins Square label to record his first album in a decade. It features guest appearances by Elvis Costello, George Jones, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and others. He joins us with a live performance.

Charlie Louvin's Web site

Downloading better sound quality

Music lovers have been so preoccupied by the convenience of downloading music that sound quality hasn't been much of a priority. But the honeymoon could be ending, says Wired magazine's Eliot Van Buskirk. He joins us to explain why.

Music Labels' Ace in the Hole by Eliot Van Buskirk

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.