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Soundcheck

Thursday, April 19, 2007
  • Eurovision Song Contest
    Eurovision Song Contest

    Pop Contests and European Politics

    The Eurovision Song Contest is like American Idol for Europeans - an annual battle of nations for pop supremacy. Today, we hear how a cheesy pop contest could also shape geopolitics. Also: the WNYC Young People's Radio Chorus joins us to share their latest batch of cutting-edge commissioned works. We talk to two of those composers, Meredith Monk and Michael Gordon. And finally, filmmaker Bill Morrison talks about his work with the New York Filmmakers Collaborative.

Bulgarian Idol

THE Eurovision Song Contest, obscure in the United States but famous around the world for its kitsch nostalgia, flamboyant glamour and garrish costumes, it's the byword for cheesy pop. Find out why millions of Europeans love it, and what it means for politics as culture writer Elisabeth Vincentelli joins us.

Monk, Rorem and Teens

Composers Meredith Monk and Michael Gordon share their new works for the WNYC Young People's Radio Chorus. The chorus presents their work in their annual "Transient Glory" concert, featuring commissions by some of today's leading composers.

More about the Young People's Chorus

Bill Morrison

The Film-Makers' Cooperative is the largest archive and distributor of independent and avant-garde films in the world. It's also developed long-standing relationships with composers like Michael Gordon, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and others. We hear about it's latest activities with filmmaker Bill Morrison.

he Film-Makers' Cooperative Web site

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Los Amigos Invisibles

Soundcheck

The Venezuelan funk-rock band "Los Amigos Invisibles" was discovered by David Byrne in a Manhattan record shop. They perform live on Soundcheck.

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: 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.