How Musicians Are Coping With The Day’s Anxieties

Plus, new music from The Rolling Stones and Lucinda Williams.

by Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Chelsea  Beck/NPR Over the past few weeks, we’ve all been exploring different ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty of these times; from socially distanced runs to rewatching comforting TV favorites to baking bread, we’re all searching for ways to stay focused, centered and sane.  Artists in particular are especially practiced at searching for comfort and clarity in times of difficulty. So over the past few weeks, we’ve been asking musicians we love to share some advice with us in a series called Our Daily Breather. Their tips range from albums to get lost in, podcasts to binge and new habits to cultivate. This week, musician Paul Burch gave us a recipe for Nashville hot chicken; actor and singer Billy Porter praised the virtues of a daily writing practice; and punk icon Alice Bag challenged us to get “fit for the apocalypse.” We hope the series gives you an idea or two and helps lower your blood pressure a bit – or at least reminds you that we’re all in this together. Inhale, exhale, repeat, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Newsletter continues after sponsor message New Music Like many artists, the Rolling Stones postponed a massive tour due to COVID-19 concerns, but the band is making the most of its self-isolation. Hear the group’s first original song since 2012, the appropriately-titled “Living in a Ghost Town.”  Kacey Musgraves’ “Oh, What a World” feels even more resonant now more than two years after its release. In honor of Earth Day, Musgraves reworked the delicate track as a fundraiser for the World Wildlife Fund. On this week’s All Songs Considered mix, Bob Boilen shares long-awaited music from longtime NPR Music favorites Bright Eyes and Jónsi, plus tracks from new-to-us artists Ela Minus and Skullcrusher.  On her new album, Good Souls Better Angels, Lucinda Williams is unsparing in her criticism of the president; she sees her work as part of a long line of political country music. “It is my job, as far as I'm concerned,” she told All Things Considered.  Featuring In New Orleans, thousands of musicians and hospitality workers bank their income in the spring to get ahead of hot summer temperatures and hurricane season, when tourism drops off. Now in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the city is facing an unprecedented situation: mass cancellations and an outbreak that has left many stranded.  We're still obsessing over Fiona Apple’s remarkable new album, Fetch The Bolt Cutters.  You can now listen to the conversation from our live listening party on All Songs Considered. This week, Apple also had an insightful, wide-ranging conversation on All Things Considered. This week on The Formula, our series about the art and magic of sampling: Spinning records backwards was once condemned as satanic. But in the hands of DJ Dahi — who has reversed samples to produce hits for artists like Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar or Childish Gambino — the practice becomes a ministry of texture and sound. Writer Jeff Weiss says his sample on a song by Kendrick Lamar is able to change the flow of time. Tiny Desk NPR ⚾ Missing baseball? We are, too. While we wait for its return (someday!), watch John Fogerty and his family play “Centerfield” from home in a new Tiny Desk (home) concert. Filmed from his home in Shanghai, China, superstar pianist Lang Lang performed a soothing Chopin Nocturne and Bach variation you can dance to. And we still have new concerts to share that were recorded at NPR HQ back in February and March. This week, we shared the triumphant return of The Free Nationals (with special guest Anderson .Paak).  One More Thing NPR Classical’s weekly playlist says: Earth Day is every day if you want it to be.  What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy