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The videogame Rock Band lets wannabes indulge their rock 'n' roll fantasies. Today on Soundcheck: Carrie Brownstein of the indie group Sleater Kinney compares Rock Band to the real thing. And, NY1 technology reporter Adam Balkin explains the appeal of music games and their impact on the music industry. Later: gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama join us for a live performance.
Musicians! Show us your space! Starting today, enter Soundcheck's first-ever Rehearsal Space Photo Contest for your chance to win a free copy of Apple's Logic Studio software bundle. Click below for details.
Jukebox Heroes
In the videogame Rock Band, players form a virtual rock band and "perform" with a microphone, a miniature Fender guitar, and a plastic drum kit. The objective: send your band to the big leagues. But how does the game stack up to the real thing? We ask
Weigh in: Have you played Rock Band? Does it encourage or discourage players from forming real bands? Leave a comment!
More about Adam Balkin
Carrie Brownstein's column on 'Rock Band'
Carrie Brownstein's blog, Monitor Mix
Blind Boys of Alabama
The Blind Boys of Alabama have been around for 60 years and are legends in the world of gospel. The current members are all in their 70s, but they are still at the top of the gospel charts and have recently won four consecutive Grammy Awards. They join us in studio for a live performance.
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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 [6]
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.
