Music

Multi-instrumentalist David Lindley makes his sixth appearance on Mountain Stage, recorded live on the campus of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. Lindley was first heard by a wide audience while he worked as an accompanist for Jackson Browne, playing lap steel in the classic "Running on Empty."

Here's a pretty incredible night of music: Flying Lotus, Death Grips and (we're happy to announce) Buke & Gase, all on one stage at (Le) Poisson Rouge in NYC. It's also your chance to meet us. NPR Music is coming together with WNYC's Soundcheck during the CMJ Music Marathon for this show on Wednesday, Oct.

For Tell Me More's occasional series "In Your Ear," guests of the program talk about songs that have particular meaning for them. South African musician Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse went back to school at the age of 60. He shares the songs that have inspired him over the years.

(For our week dedicated to Robert Schumann, pianist Jonathan Biss defends this misunderstood composer in the first of three essays. Click the audio link above to hear him play Schumann and discuss the composer with Performance Today host Fred Child.)

Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris. She also has received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. The kind of music she makes doesn't attract much commercial attention — and that seems to suit her just fine.

Spirit Family Reunion was my favorite find at this year's Newport Folk Festival. The group makes music I'd call "new old-timey," but which its members call "open-door gospel" — gospel music that's not tied to any particular religious denomination.