Whether you're merry or miserable, David Byrne's holiday playlist will resonate The singer-songwriter and Talking Heads frontman presents some of his favorite holiday music — including songs by The Pogues, James Brown and LCD Soundsystem. Originally broadcast Dec. 20, 2023. Terry Gross
A Jon Batiste holiday jam session In part two of our interview, Batiste joins us from the piano and plays some of his favorite Christmas songs. He's the former band leader and music director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Terry Gross
'Fresh Air' presents: Christmas with Questlove Roots co-founder Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson shares his Christmas playlist, which includes songs by DRAM, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Originally broadcast Dec. 21, 2022. Terry Gross
Bonnie Raitt shares her blues inspirations The singer/songwriter is one of the 2024 Kennedy Center honorees. In 1996, Raitt spoke to Fresh Air about about the musicians that inspired her, including Mississippi Fred McDowell.Interview
Billie Eilish thought she'd always have a soft voice. Singing lessons changed that The Grammy Award-winning singer says working with a vocal coach "honestly changed my life." Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas talk about their new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. Terry Gross
Cat Burns on coming of age and her debut album 'early twenties' Ayesha Rascoe talks with British singer-songwriter Cat Burns about young adulthood and her debut album, "early twenties." Ayesha Rascoe
Over 100 artists came together to create the 46-song collective album 'TRANSA' Scott Simon speaks to Massima Bell and poet Eileen Myles about "TRANSA", a compilation of music by queer artists and their allies, focusing on trans issues. Eleana Tworek
'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo says she often sings 'with a bit of a smile' The British actor and singer played abolitionist Harriet Tubman in Harriet, and Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha. Now she's defying gravity as Elphaba in Wicked. Originally broadcast Oct. 18, 2021. Terry Gross
Billie Eilish and Finneas talk musical honesty and their paths, together and solo Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas regularly perform in huge sold out venues. Recently, the two of them stopped by one that was a bit smaller: the NPR Tiny Desk. Ari Shapiro
Jon Batiste finds the Blues in Beethoven Batiste re-imagines Beethoven compositions in his new album. It's "not that the original wasn't great and transcendent..." he says. "But there's also a lot of things since then that have happened." Terry Gross