On Demand
Soundcheck
-
Sham 69 live in concert, as featured in "Punk 365'" (Jill Furmanovsky)Punk in Pictures
The hundreds of photographs in the new book "Punk 365" capture the frenzy of a musical genre as it evolves over three decades. Author Holly George-Warren explains how she compiled the collection. And later: Soprano Measha Brueggergosman has a pierced nose, a towering Afro and sings barefoot. But it's her voice that could shake up the world of opera. She performs live in our studio.
Extreme Exposure
Photography proved to be the perfect medium to document the emotion and spirit of punk rock. For the collection "Punk 365," Holly George-Warren pulled together hundreds of photos (365, to be exact) that feature punk's godfathers, superstars, lesser-known heroes and kindred spirits. George-Warren explains how she used images to tell the story of punk.
More about Holly George-Warren
"Punk 365" is available for purchase on Amazon.com

Soundcheck Picks: Katherine Lanpher
Guest host Katherine Lanpher shares her CD picks of the week:
The New Standards, "The New Standards"
Take the pop and punk favorites of the 20th century, put them through a retro blender, add piano, bass and vibraphone – and you have the New Standards. The trio all comes from Minnesota and includes John Munson from Semisonic, Chan Poling founder of the cult new wave band The Suburbs and vibraphonist Steve Roehm. "The New Standards" is available for purchase at Amazon.com
The Mendoza Line, "30 Year Low"
Shannon McArdle on is one of Greil Marcus’ favorite vocalists and it becomes clear pretty quickly why on the latest -- and last -- CD from The Mendoza Line, the band she founded with her now former husband. She specializes in first-person ballads like this album's chilling opener, "Since I Came." "30 Year Low" is available for purchase at Amazon.com
Nellie McKay, "Obligatory Villagers"
Nellie McKay has the voice of an angel, the face of Cupid, and lyrics that cut like stilettos. Check out "Mother of Pearl," the satiric song in which she croons that feminists don’t have a sense of humor or the nod she gives in another song to her stint in last year’s ill-fated revival of "Threepenny Opera." ("Beware of dreams come true, it means you have to share a room.") "Obligatory Villagers" is available for purchase at Amazon.com
The Hold Steady, "Boys and Girls in America"
I'm a big fan of Craig Finn, this band's lyricist and frontman. Part of his appeal is that he’s an unlikely rock star -- until he gets up on stage and starts spitting out his lyrics. I love how literate he is; pulling the concept for an entire album out of one line from "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. Plus, he drops in the name of John Berryman, the poet who took his life by jumping off a bridge in Minneapolis in 1972. For me, that makes it a done deal."Boys and Girls in America" is available for purchase at Amazon.com
Measha Brueggergosman
Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman is a true original on the classical music scene -- sporting a big afro and often performing barefoot, writing colorful columns for Canada’s National Post, and forging a musical path distinct from most opera divas. Her new CD, "Surprise," is a program of cabaret songs by William Bolcom, Arnold Schoenberg and Erik Satie. She joins us for a live performance in our studio.
More about Measha Brueggergosman
"Surprise" is available for purchase at Amazon.com
- About this program
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Latest Episode
- Internship
- Tapes and Transcripts
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
More
Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
More
Best Live Performances of 2008
Soundcheck
We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.
The Year in Music and Branding
Soundcheck
Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.
Critics Week
Soundcheck
Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.
Noteworthy New York
Soundcheck
We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.
