wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

Soundcheck / July 17, 2008

Soundcheck

Thursday, July 17, 2008
Previous Episode | Next Episode
  • musicians plays in four helicopters.
    One of the four musicians plays in four helicopters. (STEFAN SIMONSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

    "Stunt" Pieces

    Next week, 500 harpists will perform together in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, a new DVD features a string quartet by Stockhausen performed on four helicopters. These are but two examples of a long tradition of outrageous performances. Others that we explore today include a 200-electric-guitar composition and a performance on the Central Park boat pond by 24 musicians playing in rowboats. Also: Brendan Canning, from the indie-rock band Broken Social Scene, joins us for a live performance.

Music to the Extreme

Ever seen a marching band of 100 tubas? Or an orchestra made up of 200 electric guitarists and bassists? Frank J. Oteri, editor of web magazine NewMusicBox, and Frank Scheffer, director of the new DVD "Helicopter String Quartet," join us to talk about some of the most bizarre music performances ever attempted.

Special Feature: Music that's Outrageous, Odd, and downright Wacky

Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene

On his new solo album "Something For All Of Us," Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene steps out of the shadow of his 19-member group to show off his talent as a songwriter. But Canning doesn't completely forsake his band family; the album features performances from members of BSS and other indie groups like Metric and Stars. He plays for us live in our studio.

Brendan Canning performs at Mercury Lounge on Jul. 17 at 9:30pm. Broken Social Scene performs at the Siren Music Festival on Jul. 19 at 8pm.

Brendan Canning on MySpace
Broken Social Scene on MySpace
Siren Musical Festival website

Toumani Diabaté

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

Marvin Gaye

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.

Taylor Swift

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.

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.