For <a href="http://www.studio360.org/blogs/studio-360-blog/2013/may/31/battle-high-school-bands/" target="_blank">Studio 360's Battle of the High School Bands</a> we asked you to send us the best song you made between freshman and senior years, and you did. Some <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/studio-360-battle-of-the-high-school-bands" target="_blank">300 submissions</a> later, we have a collection of music that ranges from 60s psychedelic pop to dreamy, lovelorn hip-hop. Ready yourself for mixtapes and, for the winner, a cover by the contest's judges, <a href="http://www.andrewwk.com/" target="_blank">Andrew W.K.</a> and <a href="http://www.thaoandthegetdownstaydown.com/" target="_blank">Thao Nguyen</a>!

Thanks for participating -- rock on, people.

Battle of the High School Bands

1. Alfredo Gutierrez, "To Sin Against Hope"
2. Estrella Morente
3. Vermeer at the Frick

Linda Ronstadt: 3 for 360

As part of our series on <a href="http://www.studio360.org/series/american-icons/" target="_blank">American Icons</a>, we recently geeked out on Walt Whitman's <a href="http://www.studio360.org/story/american-icons-leaves-grass/" target="_blank">Leaves of Grass</a>. As part of our <a href="http://www.studio360.org/story/cuarons-gravity-and-untitled-film-stills/" target="_blank">regular show</a>, we recently interviewed the great lo-fi rocker, <a href="http://www.studio360.org/story/live-in-studio-bill-callahan/" target="_blank">Bill Callahan</a>, who also happens to be in awe of Whitman's Great American Poem. Here he talks about Whitman's masterwork and adapts a few of its lines into song.

Bill Callahan covers Whitman's Leaves Of Grass

This week, the National Music Publishers’ Association made lyrics the latest front in the war against music piracy. The NMPA sent “takedown” notices to 50 of the most popular outlets, calling their publishing of lyrics “blatant illegal behavior, which significantly impacts songwriters’ ability to make a living.” They got the list from musician and songwriters' rights advocate David Lowery, who told Kurt Andersen which popular sites share lyrics legitimately.

Listen to the full interview here:

http://wny.cc/1bA8Fzp


David Lowery Lists Several Licensed Lyric Sites

Greta Gerwig, actor (December 2013)
1. "Old School" by Tobias Wolff
2. "Antoine and Antoinette" by Jacques Becker
3. "Avalon" by Roxy Music

Greta Gerwig: 3 For 360

Tom Hanks grew up watching Walt Disney on television; now the actor will play the multimedia mogul in a film about his life. Saving Mr. Banks follows Disney’s development of the Mary Poppins movie. To prepare for the role, Hanks poured over archival recordings held by the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. He gave a sneak preview of his Walt Voice to Kurt Andersen, for Studio 360’s special episode “<a href="http://www.studio360.org/story/american-icons-the-disney-parks/">American Icons: The Disney Parks</a>.” 

“I looked at and listened to every piece of footage and recorded tape that they had,“ Hanks remembers. “I wanted to get down his Midwestern cadence.” He learned that Disney used different personae — the lyrical Uncle Walt who spoke to children and the brash businessman who spoke with reporters. For Hanks’ impromptu performance for Kurt, he threw in a third character as well.

Saving Mr. Banks opens December 13.

First Listen: Tom Hanks as Walt Disney

"Every child is an artist. The problem is staying an artist when he grows up.”
— Pablo Picasso 

&rarr; <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/spark-quotes/">Share the quote that sparks your creativity</a>

Pablo Picasso - from Meghan (Brooklyn, NY)

For many people, Kevin Spacey’s defining role before House of Cards was Lester Burnham, the sad sack husband at the center of 1999’s American Beauty. Spacey says middle-aged viewers identified with Lester, but kids did, too — because when he rebels, he acts like a teenager. “He was being very disruptive, he was pushing the boundaries and going different places and trying new things,” Spacey says. “We all have that in ourselves, to be a little disruptive.”

Listen to more of his conversation with Kurt Andersen on Studio 360 this weekend.
www.studio360.org

Why Kevin Spacey is Unfraid to Play Creepy

A preview of Sideshow's third podcast, in which Mike D plugs the show.

Sideshow - Episode 3 - Preview

The original mix of "L'Avion" by Nettle (DJ /rupture's band project).

Nettle: http://bit.ly/tAgJtg

DJ /rupture Remix Challenge: http://bit.ly/Oj2MKw

Original mix - Nettle, "L'Avion"

Coming up this weekend (8/24), the Swedish-Malawian duo The Very Best reinvigorate Afropop.

1334 Show Promo - The Very Best

Next week (8/31), Kurt Andersen talks to scientists, designers, and artists about upgrading the human body.

1335 Show Promo - Making Better People

Have you noticed that pop songs these days seem to always be in a minor key?  We'll deconstruct the trend this weekend (9/8).

1336 Show Promo - Sad Pop Songs

The album cover for Tenacious D’s most recent album Rize of the Fenix features a “phoenix” that’s so explicit a phallic symbol, iTunes and Amazon pixelated the image to blur it. Black shares some advice on raising sons uncensored.

Listen to rest of Kurt Andersen's interview: http://wny.cc/R49XYf

Jack Black's parenting advice

Coming up this weekend... Kurt Andersen talks to the playwright and filmmaker Martin McDonagh (Seven Psychopaths).

1343 Show Promo - Martin McDonagh

Next time in Studio 360: Judd Apatow on This is 40

1348 Show Promo - Judd Apatow

Listener Eric Winick asks: "Does Judd Apatow consider himself the voice of his generation?" The answer: maybe.  He says he's an evangelist for a certain kind of comedy:  “I love a comedy that makes you root for people just trying to get through the normal aspects of life.”

Judd Apatow: Voice of a Generation? Maybe...

Paul Rudd fell in love with acting through the theater, but don’t confuse him with those kids from Glee. He tells Kurt Andersen he was into movies, Steve Martin, and getting lots of attention when he was young. 

Listen to the full interview this weekend on http://www.studio360.org/

How Paul Rudd fell for acting

Next week on the show, inside Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

1350 Show Promo - A Charlie Brown Christmas

To fully enjoy Beck's most recent project, you'll need to be able to read sheet music.  Kurt gives it a go -- and Beck, himself, stops by.  (weekend of 12/22/12)

1351 Show Promo - Beck

The Band:
John DeLore (Studio 360) – lead vocals, guitar
Rob Christiansen (WNYC) – lead guitar, vocals
Dylan Keefe (Radiolab) – bass, vocals
Jason Isaac (WNYC) – drums
John Schaefer (Soundcheck) – acoustic guitar, vocals
David Garland (Spinning on Air) – clarinet, feedback guitar, vocals
Kurt Andersen (Studio 360) – glockenspiel
Aya Kato – piano

The Saint Dude Choir also includes:
Brooke Gladstone (On the Media)
Soterios Johnson (Morning Edition)
Jenny Lawton (Studio 360)
Terrance McKnight (WQXR)
Leital Molad (Studio 360)
Michele Siegel (Studio 360)
Irene Trudel (Soundcheck)

Recorded and mixed by John DeLore

Listen to Kurt Andersen's interview with Beck on Studio 360: http://wny.cc/U8XVPF 

"Saint Dude" - from Beck's Song Reader

John DeLore (Studio 360) – lead vocals, guitar
Rob Christiansen (WNYC) – electric guitar 
Dylan Keefe (Radiolab) – bass 
Jason Isaac (WNYC) – drums
Aya Kato – piano

Recorded and mixed by John DeLore

Listen to Kurt Andersen's interview with Beck on Studio 360: wny.cc/U8XVPF

"The Wolf is On the Hill" - from Beck's Song Reader

Source material for Studio 360’s Remixing Spring challenge.
Learn more: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/remixing-spring-challenge">Remixing Spring Challenge</a>

Learn more about this bird: <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/107964/gavia-immer-common-loon-united-states-new-york-steven-pantle">Macaulay Library listing</a>
Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65854329@N05/8459213833/">flickr</a>

This sound is provided courtesy of the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Remixing Spring challenge and may not be used for commercial purposes. All rights reserved, Cornell University.

Common Loon

Source material for Studio 360’s <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/remixing-spring-challenge">Remixing Spring Challenge</a>

Learn more about this bird: <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/53163/pheucticus-ludovicianus-rose-breasted-grosbeak-united-states-new-york-steven-pantle">Macaulay Library listing</a>
Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jassen/2505481144/">flickr</a>

This sound is provided courtesy of the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Remixing Spring challenge and may not be used for commercial purposes. All rights reserved, Cornell University.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Source material for Studio 360’s <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/remixing-spring-challenge">Remixing Spring Challenge</a>

Learn more about this bird: <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/130994/catharus-ustulatus-swainsons-thrush-united-states-alaska-gerrit-vyn">Macaulay Library listing</a>
Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lgooch/4834862813/">flickr</a>

This sound is provided courtesy of the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Remixing Spring challenge and may not be used for commercial purposes. All rights reserved, Cornell University.

Swainson's Thrush

Source material for Studio 360’s <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/remixing-spring-challenge">Remixing Spring Challenge</a>

Learn more about this bird: <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/42243/sturnella-neglecta-western-meadowlark-united-states-washington-geoffrey-keller">Macaulay Library listing</a>
Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zonotrichia/6333654596/">flickr</a>

This sound is provided courtesy of the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Remixing Spring challenge and may not be used for commercial purposes. All rights reserved, Cornell University.

Western Meadowlark

Source material for Studio 360’s <a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/remixing-spring-challenge">Remixing Spring Challenge</a>

Learn more about this bird: <a href="http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/44966/haemorhous-cassinii-cassins-finch-united-states-oregon-geoffrey-keller">Macaulay Library listing</a>
Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maholyoak/5854163761/">flickr</a>

This sound is provided courtesy of the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Remixing Spring challenge and may not be used for commercial purposes. All rights reserved, Cornell University.

Cassin's Finch

Tom Hanks, actor (April 2013)

1. Dave Cullen / “Columbine”
2. 30 for 30 ESPN
3. Rigoletto @ Met

Tom Hanks: 3 for 360

Meg Wolitzer, writer (April 2013)

1. The Patrick Melrose novels by Edward St. Aubyn
2. “Shadow of a Doubt” on my flatscreen!
3. Ancient Joan Baez songs

Meg Wolitzer: 3 for 360

Kurt met Mel Brooks for the first time some 35 years ago while working for Gene Shalit at The Today Show. After the brief encounter came up during our interview, Mel told Kurt how Shalit’s positive review of The Producers gave him the confidence to continue making films. 

Listen to more of the conversation on the show the weekend of 5/4.

Mel Brooks: How Gene Shalit Saved My Career

Isabella Rossellini, actor (May 2013)

1. Seals in Long Island
2. “Old Hats” play
3. puppies

Isabella Rossellini: 3 for 360

Alex Timbers, director (May 2013)

1. “Damsels in Distress”
2. Short stories of Roald Dahl
3. “Girls”

Alex Timbers: 3 for 360

Alan Cumming, actor (May 2013)

1. The Complete Vegetable Gardner's Bible
2. 'Patti Issues' by Ben Rimalower
3. The birds in the trees outside my bedroom window


Alan Cumming: 3 for 360

Band name: <a href="http://www.andrewwk.com/" target="_blank">Andrew W.K.</a>

Credits for the song: Written by Andrew W.K. Performed by Andrew W.K. on vocals and keyboards, and Stephen Michael on additional instruments.

High school and location: Community High School - Ann Arbor, Michigan

&nbsp;
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/studio-360-battle-of-the-high-school-bands" target="_blank">&rarr; Send Studio 360 your high school band's best original song</a>

"My Destiny," 1993 (Andrew W.K.'s high school band)

Joss Whedon, filmmaker (June 2013)

1. "I Was a Dancer" by Jacques D'Amboise 
2. "Celeste and Jesse Forever"
3. John Williams' "Lincoln" Score

Joss Whedon: 3 for 360

Alfred Yankovic had dreams of joining a rock band with the cool kids. Unsurprisingly, he was rebuffed: the cool kids didn’t need an accordion player. There were no hipsters to reclaim the instrument in those dark ages, he claims; “I was the original hipster.”

Fearing himself resigned to a career of bar mitzvahs and weddings, Yankovic recorded a ballad to the family car on his cassette machine and sent it to his hero, Dr. Demento — LA’s legendary novelty radio personality. The song was terrible, he admits, but a high school boy playing the accordion and swooning over a Plymouth was just weird enough for the doctor to put it on air. The rest is history.

Kurt’s interview with "Weird Al" Yankovic will air in next week’s show.

<a href="https://soundcloud.com/groups/studio-360-battle-of-the-high-school-bands" target="_blank">&rarr; Send Studio 360 your high school band's best original song</a>

"Belvedere Cruising," 1975 ("Weird Al" Yankovic's high school band)

Paul Feig, director

1. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
2. Game of Thrones/Walking Dead
3. LCD Soundsystem

Kattie Dippold, screenwriter 

1. This is the End
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
3. -

Paul Feig & Katie Dippold: 3 for 360

Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen is a public radio show about pop culture and the arts, produced by PRI and WNYC.

Popular tracks by Studio 360