Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'duo'

Pop Culture Roundup: Britney, Lohan and Obama

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

It's been a difficult year on many fronts, but that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun. We asked comedy duo Frangela (aka Frances Callier and Angela Shelton) to help us with a year-end wrap up of pop culture.

Mates Of State On Mountain Stage

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:41:00 EST

Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner-Hammel perform as the duo Mates of State. The pair's latest album, Re-Arrange Us, is beginning to show up on year-end "best of" lists across the country. In this performance on Mountain Stage, the couple showcases songs from that album, as well as 2006's Bring It Back.

Comic Book Duo Hopes To Make Their Mark

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Could a new super hero be on the horizon? Two comic book artists think so. Andre Campbell, who is legally blind, and Tyran Eades talk about the special challenges they face.

Thievery Corporation Churns Beats Of 'Retaliation'

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Thievery Corporation is out with their fifth album, Radio Retaliation. Rob Garza and Eric Hilton talk about the formation of their popular duo and share their musical influences from around the world.

Jacob & Lily On Mountain Stage

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:31:00 EST

Singer-songwriter Karla Adolphe and percussionist Caleb Friesen make up the Manitoba-based duo Jacob & Lily. On their recent Mountain Stage appearance, the two show off Adolphe's powerful, passionate voice and steady guitar strumming, along with Friesen's meticulous and driving rhythmic work.

Sara Lov: 'New York'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:54:00 EST

The Los Angeles-based dream-pop duo Devics has enchanted fans for years with its beautifully dark and moody music, but there's hardly been a peep from the band since its 2007 album, Push the Heart. Thankfully, singer Sara Lov has just released a solo EP, The Young Eyes, which features gorgeous ballads, setting her flawless voice over melancholic piano and strings.

An Horse: 'Horizons'

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:52:00 EST

Australians Kate Cooper and Damon Cox make up An Horse. The two recently released their full-length debut, Rearrange Beds, on which they tackle a simple enough formula: drums, electric guitar, and failed relationships for lyrical fodder. It's dangerous territory for some bands. It's easy to turn those ingredients into melodrama or an exercise in the trite. But An Horse uses its confessional lyrics to create 10 immediately recognizable tunes, with toe-tapping beats. It's a combination that led the duo to opening spots on tours with Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan & Sara.

Exclusive First Listen: Paul McCartney

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:08:00 EST

When The Fireman released its 1993 debut (the instrumental dance and electronica mix Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest), the band's identity was a mystery. U.K. music magazine Melody Maker eventually exposed it as a duo featuring the bassist and producer known as Youth and, to everyone's surprise, Paul McCartney. Now, a decade after releasing its last album, The Fireman is back with a new studio album. Hear Electric Arguments in an exclusive sneak preview of the entire album.

Bebo Valdes Brings Havana To Village Vanguard

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:47:00 EST

Bebo Valdes left Havana 50 years ago, but at the piano, he's still there. He's not reviving anything, he just kept on doing it the old way, long after music in Cuba had moved on. On Live at the Village Vanguard, Valdes shares billing with frequent duo partner, bassist Javier Colina.

Obi Best: 'Who Loves You Now'

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:24:00 EST

Up until this summer, Los Angeles-based singer Alex Lilly had been known mostly for her role as backup singer for pop duo The Bird and the Bee. Recently, however, Lilly embarked upon a new project and took the spotlight for herself. With the help of 10 of her friends, she's created the band Obi Best and recorded the keyboard-driven pop debut, Capades.

Remembering Gracie Allen's Run For The White House

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:57:00 EST

In 1940, the United States was just emerging from the shadow of the Great Depression and war loomed in Europe. Into these serious times stepped Gracie Allen, part of the popular comic duo Burns and Allen, who launched a campaign for president.

Laughing Off The Financial Crisis

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

We all know the economy isn't strong right now. Comedy duo Frangela prescribe laughter as the best medicine against the economic woes.

Frank Hoier and The Weber Brothers: 'I've Made Up My Mind'

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:35:00 EDT

Lovers and Dollars is the latest from musician and songwriter Frank Hoier. Maryland-based rockabilly duo the Weber Brothers join Hoier on the album, and together they've created a memorable collection of Americana songs with a rock and roll energy.

Peter Bradley Adams On Mountain Stage

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:21:00 EDT

Singer-songwriter Peter Bradley Adams was once half of the duo Eastmountainsouth, which became known for its hushed harmonies and spacious acoustic songs. Now a solo artist, Adams stopped by Mountain Stage to perform selections from his latest album, Leavetaking.

Tim & Tom: A 'Black And White' Comedy Duo

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

During the late 1960s and early 70s Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen became the nation's first black and white comedy team. During a tense time of segregation and race riots, they won rave reviews — all the while facing down threats and heckling from audience members.

Marching Band: 'Feel Good About It'

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:31:00 EDT

If The Shins played music after popping Prozac, they might come up with something similar to Spark Large, the full-length debut from the Swedish duo Marching Band. Musicians Erik Sunberg and Jacob Lind have created an album that is brimming with breezy pop songs, perfect for a rise-and-shine playlist or one final summer road trip.

Arborea: 'Black Mountain Road'

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:44:00 EDT

Shanti and Buck Curran, who write and record under the name Arborea, are pitched as a husband-and-wife folk duo from Maine, but there's very little in their songs that resembles traditional roots music. Arborea is mostly an experimental album, with the Currans bowing and plucking their stringed instruments to create spacey, ambient drones.

The Ting Tings: Sassy Electro-Pop

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:15:00 EDT

The Ting Tings' debut album, We Started Nothing, has propelled the British duo to worldwide fame on the strength of some of the catchiest pop songs in recent memory. The British duo layers together synths, powerful drum beats and catchy melodies in a session from WXPN.

The Music of PCP, Ra Ra Riot, And More

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:59:00 EDT

The New York rock group Ra Ra Riot returns from an emotional roller coaster with a fantastic new CD. Hear a cut from The Rhumb Line. Singer Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley mixes it up on her latest solo CD, Acid Tongue. Argentinian singer Juana Molina has a mesmerizing new album out in October. We've got a sneak preview. Also on the show: Brooklyn duo High Places, the "Dreamend" songs of Ryan Graveface, "Failure" from singer Laura Marling, and PCP, also known as the Portland Cello Project.

The Wrights: 'In the Summertime'

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:50:00 EDT

The Wrights are husband and wife team Adam and Shannon Wright of Nashville. The duo plays a brand of classic country that sticks to the genre's bluesy Americana roots, with minimal production, traditional instrumentation, and soulful vocals. The couple's latest release, In the Summertime, is a collection of folky country covers of songs by roots artists both classic (Lead Belly) and contemporary (Tim Carroll).

Arms: 'Whirring'

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:42:00 EDT

Arms is the solo venture of multi-instrumentalist Todd Goldstein. Between his work with the Brooklyn-based indie-rock quintet Harlem Shakes and the lo-fi flight-obsessed folk duo The Sea & The Gulls, Goldstein found time to put together a record all his own. Kids Aflame is his first full-length record as Arms.

Staats & Shafer On Mountain Stage

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:55:00 EDT

The celebrated West Virginia-based pickers have individually won multiple awards for their work with their respective instruments. As a unit, they've recorded several albums together. They break out their mandolin and guitar for a duo performance.

80s Synth-Pop Duo Yaz Reunites

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

In the early 80s, Yaz was a favorite on dance floors worldwide. The duo was short-lived, but they scored multiple Top Ten hits in the U.S. and the U.K. Now Yaz is back together for its 25th anniversary.

Nolan, Bale: 'Batman' Franchise's New Dynamic Duo

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

The Dark Knight is the most successful film of the summer. Director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale can take much of the credit: They've revived a flagging franchise, offering a fresher, darker look at a legend.

July 22: The Ting Tings, Live in Concert

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:05:00 EDT

The Ting Tings' infectious dance rhythms (and a coveted spot in an iPod commercial) have made the English pop duo one of the year's most exciting and hyped new bands. The group is currently on tour for its breakout debut album, We Started Nothing. It visits Washington, D.C.'s 9:30 Club on Tuesday, July 22 for a live concert, webcast on NPR.org. The performance begins online at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET.