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Soundcheck

Friday, January 18, 2008
  • In-flight Entertainment
    Kaptain Krispy Kreme/Flickr

    Coach Potatoes

    Commercial airlines are replacing hot meals and pretzels with iPod docks and pay-per-view movies. Today on Soundcheck, find out why passengers are getting more in-flight entertainment, with Internet access looming on the horizon. Plus: Moldy Peaches co-founder Kimya Dawson talks about helping craft the sound of the hit movie Juno.

Living Room Luxuries, in the Air

Airlines are taking a closer look at the entertainment options they provide passengers -- from new music systems with iPod connectivity to satellite radio to other on-demand programming. Some features even apply to coach. Guests include Mary Kirby, senior editor of Flight International magazine and proprietor of the Runway Girl blog. Also joining us is Jon Zellner, the Senior Vice President of Music Programming at XM Satellite Radio, which provides in-flight programming for several major air carriers.

Runway Girl blog
XM Satellite Radio's Web site

Kimya Dawson

The Moldy Peaches song "Anyone Else But You" is a memorable track from the star-studded soundtrack to the film Juno. Kimya Dawson, co-founder of the indie band and a solo artist, talks about the role her songs play in an offbeat movie about teen pregnancy. And, she performs in our studio.

Kimya Dawson on Live Journal
Kimya Dawson on MySpace

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.

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.