On Soundcheck you'll find in-studio performances by everyone from indie rockers to string quartets to jazz ensembles. When artists visit our studios, they are in peak form and often present special tracks, fan favorites and brand-new songs. In case you missed them, here are highlights culled by the Soundcheck staff.
Recently in Live on Soundcheck
Doveman
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Last year was stellar for Thomas Bartlett, the well-traveled musician known as Doveman. He contributed to the National’s album “Boxer,” which appeared near the top of many end-of-the-year lists, and toured as an opener for them. He joins us to talk about his latest CD, “With My Left Hand I ...
Thao Live
Monday, February 04, 2008
23-year-old indie-songwriter Thao Nguyen has been catching the notice of critics and fans with her smoky alto voice and eclectic songs that draw from rock, folk, country and even Dixieland jazz influences. She performs live from her second full-length album, "We Brave Bee Stings and All."
Cat Power Live
Monday, February 04, 2008
Chan Marshall is better known as Cat Power, the singer-songwriter who of late has begun living down her reputation for unpredictable live shows. Her latest album is "Jukebox," an all-covers sequel to her 2000 effort "The Covers Album." On this latest release, she takes on Dylan, Sinatra and Billie Holiday ...
Baby Dee
Friday, February 01, 2008
Baby Dee started her career strumming the harp in Central Park. The Cleveland native went on to perform in a Coney Island sideshow (as the "bilateral hermaphrodite," play organ in a South Bronx church, and work with Antony and the Johnsons. Her latest solo album, Safe Inside the Day, sounds ...
Omer Klein Trio Live
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Pianist and composer Omer Klein is a rising star of the NY jazz scene, known for mixing jazz with Israeli music and North-African roots sounds. He joins us to perform live with his trio in our studio.
Eric Bachmann Live
Monday, January 28, 2008
Eric Bachmann toiled though the '90s in the explosive indie band Archers of Loaf. Then he formed the folk-pop group Crooked Fingers. Now, the froggy-voiced frontman joins us for a live performance and talks about living in the back of his van (voluntarily) while writing his solo debut CD.
Blind Boys of Alabama
Friday, January 25, 2008
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 ...
Jack Peñate
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
While Lily Allen and Kate Nash caught fire in the U.S., Jack Peñate spent last year building buzz in the U.K. Now, Americans get their first crack at his spastic brand of guitar pop. His album, "Matinee," hits stores this week. Peñate and his band play live in our studio.
Ben Allison and Man Size Safe
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Jazz bassist Ben Allison named his new quintet "man-size safe" after reading an article in the Washington Post about just such a piece of furniture that Dick Cheney keeps in his office, and whose contents were unknown to all but the vice-president himself. He joins us today with the members ...
Angie Stone Live
Monday, January 21, 2008
Neo-soul singer Angie Stone is best known for her rich, sultry voice and songs that chronicle the ups and downs of love and relationships. She shares "The Art of Love and War," her first album on the re-launched Stax label, which has yielded some of the best reviews of her ...
Kimya Dawson
Friday, January 18, 2008
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 ...
Sofia Koutsovitis
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Argentinian-born singer Sofia Koutsovitis moved to the U.S. in 2001 and began absorbing Afro-Colombian, Indian and African music traditions. The Buenos Aires native landed first in Boston, then relocated to New York -- a perfect laboratory for her musical explorations. Koutsovitis talks about her debut album, "Ojala," and performs live ...
Duo Guy Goes Solo
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Keyboardist Marco Benevento earned his chops as one half of the hard-touring, jammy Benevento-Russo Duo. In 2007, he drew praise for his three-CD set of live performances recorded at the now-shuttered nightclub Tonic. On the eve of his first solo studio album, Benevento joins us for a live performance and ...
Tyler Ramsey Live
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Before singer and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Ramsey joined the critically lauded Band of Horses this year, he was a versatile solo artist and sideman in Asheville, N.C. We talk with Ramsey about how the slow, mournful sounds on his new CD "A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea" caught the ...
Puerto Plata Live
Friday, January 11, 2008
Jose Manuel Cobles (a.k.a. Puerto Plata), an octogenarian guitarist and singer from the Dominican Republic, has just released his debut CD, "Mujer de Cabaret," 60-some years into his career. He joins us today with a live performance.
Basia Bulat Live
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Singer-songwriter Basia Bulat has a way with an autoharp and a storytelling songwriting style. She performs songs from her full-length debut album, "Oh, My Darling."
A Bluegrass Original
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Tony Trischka says he didn’t choose to play the banjo -- it chose him. But during his 40-year career, he’s inspired a generation of bluegrass musicians to pick up the instrument. On his Grammy nominated CD Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, he collaborates with banjoists ranging from Bela Fleck to comedian ...
Kenny Werner
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Jazz pianist and composer Kenny Werner joins us to talk about putting together a heavy-weight quintet for his new record, Lawn Chair Society. He performs solo in our studio.
