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Soundcheck / March 07, 2008

Soundcheck

Friday, March 07, 2008
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  • Piano Duo

    Side by Side on the Piano Keyboard

    If you want to spark a great romance, or improve your bond with a sibling, try starting a piano duo. A team of British researchers have found out why piano duos represent the ultimate in musical - and personal - collaboration. Joining us are music psychologist Marilyn Blank and the piano duo of Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Ho reveal the secrets to musical partnerships. Also: Nick Cave talks about his multi-faceted pursuits -- songwriter, novelist, film-score composer, screenwriter, and owner of one awesome porn-star mustache.

Four Hands, Two Pianos, One Relationship

Next week, the world's biggest competition for piano duos gets underway in Miami and it affords a perfect opportunity to explore this unique musical medium. Marilyn Blank, a pianist and music psychologist, talks about her research into the social dynamics of a piano duo. And the duo piano team Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Ho talks about building a career and managing a relationship – and they perform live in the studio.

DUO: Pianists Stephanie Ho and Saar Ahuvia
Barbara Silverstone and Marilyn Blank Duo
More on Marilyn Blank's piano duo study
Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition

Nick Cave

Nick Cave scored an unlikely (and potty-mouthed) hit last year with the debut of his side project, Grinderman. Now, the 50-year-old Australian songwriter is back with his longtime backing band, the Bad Seeds, for "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" Good news: Grinderman’s howling rage has rubbed off on Cave's longtime ensemble.

Nick Cave's Web site
Video: "Dig!! Lazarus, Dig!!!"
Video: Cave summons "spirits" to promote album

cab

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.

vote

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.

walmart

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

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

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.

Michael Azerrad

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

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

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.