Music

Robbie Robertson circa November 1994 at The National Museum of the American Indian in New York City.

The Indigenous Roots of Robbie Robertson’s Rock and Roll Revolution The Indigenous Roots of Robbie Robertson’s Rock and Roll Revolution

The music called Americana was created by a Jewish-Canadian-Cayuga-Mohawk.

Aug 14, 2023 / Jeet Heer

Sinéad-O'Connor

Sinéad O’Connor (1966–2023): Premature Anti-Fascist Sinéad O’Connor (1966–2023): Premature Anti-Fascist

For years, O’Connor had been raising an alarm about pedophile priests exploiting children with impunity while an enabling Vatican hierarchy looked the other way.

Aug 1, 2023 / Obituary / Margaret Spillane

Jason Aldean’s Town Without Pity

Jason Aldean’s Town Without Pity Jason Aldean’s Town Without Pity

The country star’s new single and video cash in on long-running racial resentments.

Aug 1, 2023 / Ben Schwartz

Sinead O'Connor performs on Rock Torhout, Torhout, Belgium, on July 7, 1990.

Sinead O'Connor Began Singing Her Black Lives Matter Anthem in 1990 Sinead O'Connor Began Singing Her Black Lives Matter Anthem in 1990

Sinéad O’Connor explained the point of her career in her 2021 memoir: “Everyone wants a pop star. See? But I am a protest singer.” And her protests were epic. After O’Connor’s deat…

Jul 28, 2023 / John Nichols

Sonny Rollins on the Williamsburg Bridge.

The Monumental Improvisations of Sonny Rollins The Monumental Improvisations of Sonny Rollins

Though his life had its ups and downs, Rollins never wavered in his determination to get things right, and often that meant reinventing himself and, along the way, jazz as well.

Jul 24, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Gene Seymour

Just Can’t Stop

Just Can’t Stop Just Can’t Stop

Exxon sing-along! 

Jul 21, 2023 / OppArt / Ben Hillman

Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo in New York City, 2022.

Yo La Tengo’s Lifelong Love Story Yo La Tengo’s Lifelong Love Story

Across decades, the venerable band has quietly pioneered an intimate form of rock, at once adventurous and deeply personal.

Jul 3, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi

Arthur Russell’s Endless Reinventions

Arthur Russell’s Endless Reinventions Arthur Russell’s Endless Reinventions

Since his death, his music has only become more influential and more mysterious.

Jun 20, 2023 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

Liz Phair performs in concert during Primavera Sound on May 31, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain.

“I Write Things I Cannot Play”: The Secret of Liz Phair “I Write Things I Cannot Play”: The Secret of Liz Phair

Thirty years after the release of her classic album Exile in Guyville, the singer-songwriter is taking the record back on the road.

Jun 20, 2023 / Q&A / Dave Zirin

Jesse Hagopian, his father, and his brother in Morgantown, Miss.

Celebrating Juneteenth by Emancipating History Celebrating Juneteenth by Emancipating History

A Black family’s pilgrimage to Mississippi.

Jun 19, 2023 / Jesse Hagopian

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