How African music brought back its ancient instruments
Even the president loved it.
Music Archives: 12/2023
Why Joni Mitchell painted her own album covers: “My songs are very visual”
“I am a painter who writes songs.”
Patti Smith names her “favourite songs that no one else has heard”
The punk poet laureate discusses some obscure favourites.
The musician that made Eddie Van Halen pick up a guitar: “His solos were melodic and memorable”
Inspired to step behind the fretboard.
The moment John Lennon realised he was a “genius”
The late Beatle regarded his most profitable attribute a curse.
The songs Jimmy Page took from The Yardbirds for Led Zeppelin
From bluesy rave-ups to mountainous rock.
The classic Rolling Stones song that they almost ruined: “It’s a very unpretentious groove”
It might not have been a hit.
The Big Indie Playlist: the best new music this week
Ft. Ellie Bleach, Arlo Parks, Adrianne Lenker and more.